Quitting Smoking: Ex-Smokers of OzBargain, How Did You Do It?

Findo on 27/03/2016 - 04:54
Last edited 27/03/2016 - 23:56

I've been smoking regularly since the middle of November last year when I ended up in rehab. Before that, I barely smoked a pack every three months, and I would only smoke when stressed or at parties. My ciggies always went stale because I could never finish them within a reasonable timeframe. In rehab I punched a pack of darts a day, and when I left I dropped to about half a pack a day. At the beginning of this year I managed to quit for eight days, and there have been a few subsequent attempts (the most recent being four days ago), but I cannot seem to last more than four days. At 3am I caved in to my cravings, drove out to 7-Eleven and bought a pack of overpriced Dunhills and proceeded to smoke two. I felt terrible afterwards, and made another searching and fearless moral inventory of myself. I am powerless over tobacco, just like I am with alcohol. But I still genuinely enjoy the taste of good cigarettes, and I think that is my problem.

I smoked Benson & Hedges and Dunhills exclusively and cost hasn't been a great barrier for me. I've identified some personal reasons for quitting (for two kids that I love and love me back (not my kids, I don't have children yet!), for my own health, for sport, etc) but they just don't seem to be good enough to stop me from acting on my cravings. This time though, I feel ready to give them up for good.

How did you guys do it? Can you suggest anything that may help me?

Edit: I clarified in my edit that the two kids aren't mine. They are the kids of a close friend who is also in recovery. I do love them like my own kids though.

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Comments

  • OZB Al on 27/03/2016 - 07:47
    +12

    My wife found Allen Carr's book Easy Way to Quit Smoking finally helped her quit for good after trying many times.

    • 17731773 on 29/03/2016 - 06:37

      That's what did it for me. That was also 8 years ago, never relapsed either.

    • daybo on 30/03/2016 - 08:16

      Me too. I 'stopped' smoking 12 years ago now, and never looked back. The book really works. I had tried everything up to that point. My wife bought it for me, and I thought I'd give it a go.

    • rko on 30/03/2016 - 08:25

      I was a pack a day smoker and had tried everything under the sun including gum, patches etc. as well as prescription drugs. In the end it was Allen Carr's book which worked for me. That was approximately 10 years ago. I now still enjoy an occasional cigar and sometimes will have a cigarette when at a party after a few drinks and have no fear of relapse. That's how good the book was me. I highly recommend it also.

    • [Deactivated] on 30/03/2016 - 16:18

      Yes buy this book. I was a pack a day smoker, tried quitting with all the patches, gum, willpower etc, didn't work. Ended up reading this book all the way through (while still smoking), by the end of the book I quit and never went back. About 10 years ago now.

    • miken on 30/03/2016 - 20:53

      Me too. I was quite a heavy smoker and this book did a miracle for me. I haven't been smoking for over 3 years now and I am sure I will never do it again. The best thing about this book is that you stop smoking and feel like the happiest chap in the world. I had tried other methods before the book and it always was a torture - I felt like I was giving up something important and sooner or later started smoking again. The book makes you look at smoking from a different angle. Get it and quit for good :)

  • rldowling03 on 27/03/2016 - 08:04
    +26

    I'm going to be one of those guys and recommend vaping. I've been off cigarettes for 6 months now thanks to vaping, but would now also say I'm semi addicted to vaping, that's one of the down sides to it, but that's all of my own control.

    While the health side of vaping may not be fully understood, I have no issues with it personally since I know what's in my juice. Plus I can also control the level of nicotine in my juice, so started high at 9mg/ml which is your average for pack a day smokers and now am on 3mg/ml and plan to drop to none soon and stop completely.

    I highly recommend vaping to anyone who wants to quit smoking, a starter kit online or in store (depending where you live) costs from $50-$150 and the juice itself costs vary ALOT but cheapest good stuff is about $22 per 60ml (plus shipping form the US if you want nicotine in it) which I go through about 2-3 ml a day.

    This has worked for me and others I know, but not for everyone, I also tried patches and pills from the doctor which did help, I personally missed the action of smoking more than the nicotine itself so I went nuts.

    So that's my 2c

    • ThadtheChad on 28/03/2016 - 12:06
      +9

      +1

      Tried a bunch of stuff, but the whole "ritual" was too embedded in my daily routine. Patches, sprays, quitting cold-turkey failed miserably.

      So I got off cigs and switched to vaping. This has been by far THE BEST THING I've done in my life. I've been vaping since mid Sept last year. I've smoked a few times, but haven't been able to finish a single cigarette because of how foul it makes you feel. What is amazing, is that my nicotine addiction is so insignificant, that I can go for a whole day without vaping. I'll slowly switch to 0% nicotine eliquid and then just vape for the flavour.

      Also, the cost savings are absolutely stupendous. I make my own ejuice (get my stuff from Vapeking). I have pretty decent vaping gear (Coolfire IV Plus and Crown Uwell; Siglei 150W TC and Aspire Atlantis 2) even so, it's laughable when compared to the price of cigs here.

      Lastly, my partner quit smoking completely after switching to vaping for 2 months.

      PS: The worst part of vaping… is the name. It is just so hipster/tumblr it makes me cringe just saying it.

      PPS: Whoever negged you, must be having a really bad day.

      • krunchymoses on 28/03/2016 - 16:45
        +3

        Seconding this. Vaping is so easy to stop doing - I only did it for a few months before I got bored of it and just stopped.

    • KenDiaMoi on 28/03/2016 - 19:07
      +3

      +1
      Smoked about a pack a day for about 10 years.
      Never quit longer than a few months until I started vaping.
      Been vaping for about 8 to 9 months now.
      Like the others I am addicted to vaping but my health is much better.
      I used to get sick at least once a month when I was smoking but I've only been sick once since I started vaping.

      Plus it tastes better.
      I won't lie I still smoke every now and then but only 3 or 4 when I'm drinking.

    • JepunK on 29/03/2016 - 10:26

      what gear are u using?

      • rldowling03 on 29/03/2016 - 13:55
        +1

        I'm still on basic stuff, eVic VT with Sense Herakles tanks, nothing fancy but it works well for me :)

        • JepunK on 29/03/2016 - 14:47
          +1

          me too, I'm using a subox mini kit for my daily workhorse but ended up buying a 100w sigelei mod with sense cyclone, and griffin tank.

          I must say it did help me quit, i'm into my second months of ciggies free after many failed attempts using various methods

      • jz5147 on 30/03/2016 - 11:08
        +1

        Kanger Kbox 70 + Uwell Crown is my latest set up. Temp and Wattage adjustable.

    • Jhonka on 29/03/2016 - 14:13
      +2

      +1 vaping

    • scorpiovegas on 29/03/2016 - 19:50
      +3

      I got my mum, a 50 year pack a day smoker, a vaping kit and some juice with nic. She is now 9 months with no smoking. Can be done indoors or in the car without stinking the place out. No fire risk from a burning butt either. I estimate that her $120 per week habit is now reduced to about $300 - $400 per year including both hardware and juice.

      As for health impacts, I don't believe anything that is not backed up with scientific and/or medical evidence. A lot of articles are claiming ill effects, but almost all with absolutely no evidence. Here's the most comprehensive report I've found. Published by the UK health agency: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachm…. Their estimate is that vaping is 95% less harmful than ciggies. In short, if a claim about the effects or ingredients in these products doesn't include a comparison to smoking, and a comparison to normal city air, then I don't take it seriously.

      I've tested a lot of gear out and I thoroughly recommend getting one or two Innokin Endura T22 starter kits at $50 each, and a few packs of spare coils at $12 for a pack of five. I bought from an Oz suppier called Vapoureyes.

      This device is top-filling and mouth-to-lung (just like a ciggie), making it perfect for those switching from smoking. For a beginner, don't go with any sub-ohm stuff, or high wattage gear. There's a massive amount of gear on the market, but this device is the easiest and best I've encountered so far.

      Plenty of places in the US for juice. I usually buy from VapeWild. If the juice you buy ends up too strong, it can be watered down with PG/VG mixture, available at Aussie vape suppliers.

  • Lord Fart Bucket on 27/03/2016 - 08:06
    +38

    I don't know how to sugarcoat this, but if being around for your 2 kids for a long time isn't enough of a reason, maybe it's time to reevaluate yourself.
    I quit cold turkey 14 years ago. Smoked more than a packet a day. There have been tough times in the beginning around funerals and other stressful times), but it gets easier.

    And i am sure it'll get negged, people don't like the truth. But let's face it… smoking is a selfish act.

    • oscargamer on 27/03/2016 - 08:45
      +3

      ^ this

    • xoom on 27/03/2016 - 11:34
      +7

      My old man quit cold turkey years ago. Pretty sure its so he can be around us kids longer.

    • Findo on 27/03/2016 - 15:16
      +7

      The two kids aren't my own. They are the kids of a close friend and I baby sit them regularly. I do love them as my own kids though.

  • [Deactivated] on 27/03/2016 - 08:13
    +1

    I went to the doctor who prescribed me Champix.

    By week two I was cigarette free. Be aware there may be side effects but it worked for me.

    • ilsan0 on 27/03/2016 - 11:13
      +4

      Beware of the side effects of Champix.
      It has driven some people to insanity.
      Read up!

      • UNO on 28/03/2016 - 08:11
        +3

        There is also a correlation with suicide for those who take Champix which your Dr should explain. Just make sure you are fully aware of the risks before you start taking it.

        There are some other anti smoking treatments so check with your Dr and explore all the options.

        • eatwell365 on 29/03/2016 - 20:42

          don't die yet, need you to post some deals.

      • dmac80 on 30/03/2016 - 01:05

        I had a horrible experience on Champix. Found myself crying in the middle of the street one day for no apparent reason - gave me horrible mood swings that verged on suicidal (and should mention I'm nothing like that - totally out of character). Went away as soon as I stopped taking it. In saying that I've had friends who've had a great experience on it and managed to quit with it.

        • Shamdog on 30/03/2016 - 08:58

          I've had friends who had psychotic nightmares and woke up convinced their partners were trying to murder them.

          I took Champix with no side effects and it worked really well.

  • coin saver on 27/03/2016 - 08:51
    +6

    After smoking for 40yrs i decided enough was enough and tried Champix 1mth later no change so decided that was the day and gave up cold turkey.Giving up smoking is really a case of self discipline it helps to avoid doing the things and going to the places that you smoke the most (ironically i had to quit the gym i used to have a smoke before i left home,another before entering and yet another each time i had a break and one on leaving)Also do not carry your cigarettes with you to make it harder to lite one up on impulse .

  • pasey25 on 27/03/2016 - 08:55
    +2

    I smoked for 5 years. I quit cold turkey. I still smoke a pack on melb cup weekend camping and maybe 2 cigarettes at certain times through the year. Treating it like a competitive challenge was the only way I could quit

    • StewBalls on 27/03/2016 - 09:35
      +13

      I quit cold turkey. I still smoke…

      Your own words…you haven't actually quit anything, you're just deceiving yourself.

      • Lord Fart Bucket on 27/03/2016 - 10:23
        +3

        But if you keep telling yourself the lie, eventually it must be true

      • c0balt on 27/03/2016 - 14:11
        +16

        Would you call someone an alcoholic if they had 10 drinks throughout a year after stopping daily binging for 5 years? I wouldn't.

        So I would say he has quit the addiction.

        If he enjoys one pack on a long weekend, and a few more throughout the year he is no longer smoking because of an addiction to it, he is smoking because he wants to - not has to in order to prevent withdrawals.

        • c0balt on 27/03/2016 - 15:54
          +1

          @StewBalls:

          1) Cold turkey: No aids to quit the addiction. He wrote that and you don't believe him? He obviously has self control now, and smokes not because he is addicted, but because he wants to. He is still a smoker, but not because he is addicted to it.

          2) If you honestly consider AA/NA/GA an authority on addiction then I have to consider everything you say on the matter with a mine full of salt. Studies over 75 years have shown that AA/NA/GA have the highest failure rate of any addition treatment that is out there for a good reason and that is they have no idea what constitutes an addiction - or how to actually treat addiction.

          It's well known that those 12 step programs are basically cults who force a person to believe in a higher power than themselves, and that they are sick individuals who if they have one drink, or one hit after giving up their addiction then they haven't given up at all.

          http://cbtrecovery.org/AAefficacyrates.htm
          https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/ending-addiction-good/2…

        • StewBalls on 27/03/2016 - 16:07
          +1

          @c0balt: You're happy to quote pop psychology now, but you didn't mind overlooking the psychological aspects of addiction in favour of espousing a supposed lack of physical withdrawals when you were declaring pasey25 cured???

          FWIW, AA/NA/GA works for a shitload of people, they have a far better understanding of addiction than you comprehend, and they have a far better system of peer support than a fortnightly/monthly visit to a Psych for CBT. IME the success/failure rates are comparable, but that's just anecdotal…I don't think there's ever truly been an unbiased empirical study of the efficacy of AA…not to mention, if you look closely at the detractors, they're selling some alternative. Therapy for addiction has some of the highest failure rates of any treatment modality, naturally AA will suffer the same effects.

          1) Cold turkey: No aids to quit the addiction.

          Yeah, as previously noted, and the most salient point…he never actually quit, he's still using.

        • c0balt on 27/03/2016 - 16:11
          -2

          Thanks for not even looking past the web address, because you would have found the primary source articles from scientific journals quite.. hard to argue against.

          AA/NA works for significantly less than half of the people that try it - I've linked to that. They are a pseudo-religious cult who's core program hasn't changed in 75 years.

          He did quit the physical and mental addiction to cigarettes. If you consider someone an alcoholic if they have 1 drink after a period of sobriety than you are already lost and you are part of the AA/NA cult problem

        • StewBalls on 27/03/2016 - 16:13
          -4

          @c0balt:

          He did quit the physical and mental addiction to cigarettes.

          No he didn't…by his own admission he is still using…are you unfamiliar with the meaning of the word "quit???"

        • c0balt on 27/03/2016 - 16:14

          @StewBalls:

          You're part of the reason we have such a problem successfully treating addictions in the first place.

          You didn't answer the question so I assume you would call someone an alcoholic if they had a drink after a period of sobriety.

        • StewBalls on 27/03/2016 - 16:15
          +2

          @c0balt: I would say the same of you, not admitting one has a problem to start with isn't a great therapy opener…

        • c0balt on 27/03/2016 - 16:16

          @StewBalls:

          Care to quote where I said anything remotely like that?

        • StewBalls on 27/03/2016 - 16:19
          -2

          @c0balt: I'll ask again…are you unfamiliar with the meaning of the word "quit???"

        • c0balt on 27/03/2016 - 16:23
          +2

          @StewBalls:

          It's you who is not familiar with the term 'quit'.

          You didn't answer my questions above so I'll take it that you would consider someone an alcoholic if they had a drink after a period of sobriety. This is completely incorrect as that individual had quit the addiction, but chose to have a drink. The more successful addiction treatments realise this, AA/NA does not which is why their users have such a dismal success rate.

          He is not addicted to cigs, ergo he quit the addiction. He did not use aids to quit the addiction, ergo he quit cold turkey.

          He quit the addiction cold turkey.

        • StewBalls on 27/03/2016 - 16:28

          @c0balt: http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/quit

          To answer your question, it is my experience that a person never truly cures an addiction, they merely curb or manage it. We have an old saying at work, once a junkie, always a junkie…harsh, but true.

          One more time for the record, and indeed the most salient point…he never actually quit anything, he's still using.

        • c0balt on 27/03/2016 - 16:29
          +6

          @StewBalls:

          Let's keep the broken record spinning.

          Of course he has quit something.

          He hasn't quit smoking (as I wrote in a very early reply) but he has quit/beaten the addiction.

          Keep the AA/NA tripe flowing.

        • StewBalls on 27/03/2016 - 16:30
          +1

          @c0balt:

          I smoked for 5 years. I quit cold turkey.

          He hasn't quit smoking (as I wrote in a very early reply)

          but he has quit/beaten the addiction.

          You keep dancing the same old pedantic tune, but you don't know that he's beaten anything, you're just inferring it in your own delusional world.

          [edit] Agreed, unnecessary, I apologise…

        • Findo on 27/03/2016 - 16:31
          +5

          @c0balt: in defence of AA I must say it is working for me. I tried everything under the sun, from controlled drinking to pharmacological extinction using the Sinclair method. Nothing worked and I almost died the last time I went to hospital. For this alcoholic, sobriety is the only way for me because I can't trust myself to ever drink sensibly again.

          There are many different ways of looking at addictions, 12 step programs aren't the be all and end all. The disease model of addiction is flawed because I'm sure some people CAN regain control again - it depends on the individual.

        • c0balt on 27/03/2016 - 16:33

          @StewBalls:

          Funny how you consider me delusional but hadn't considered you could be wrong about if an addiction was or wasn't quit, but also your approach on treatment for addiction.

          Thanks for the personal insult by the way. You clearly have a problem sourcing any of your arguments and you consider your anecdotal tidbits to be undeniably factually true.

          Calling me a fool despite my calm and collective replies differentiating between quitting an addiction and quitting smoking, and how AA/NA have some of the worst stats for addiction therapy doesn't make your argument look any better, it makes you look worse.

        • c0balt on 27/03/2016 - 16:34
          +1

          @niggard:

          You mentioned you tried rehab in your OP with no mention of AA. Did you go through a clinic or through the AA program?

          Can I ask if your program could you progress if you didn't admit/give in to a higher power?

        • Findo on 27/03/2016 - 16:39
          +5

          @c0balt: I have no problem in surrendering to a higher power. I was raised an Anglican, gave the faith away in my early teens and rediscovered God whilst in rehab. I don't think AA would work at all if I didn't believe in a higher power.

          Prior to entering rehab in Nov last year I white knuckled it for 132 days. Those were the longest days of my life and it was a living hell. I had no idea about the disease model of addiction and I had no belief in a God.

          I ended up at the Northside Clinic in Greenwich. It is a rehab that is based on abstinence and the twelve step program of recovery. I was dragged to my first AA meeting in Cremorne, kicking and screaming and I was very against the idea of surrendering to a higher power. I ended up sitting on the loo, playing on my phone and not listening to a word that night. It wasn't until I hit rock bottom that i cried out to a god I didn't know for help, and help came unexpectedly. My desire to drink evaporated overnight.

          Out of the original 22 people I went through rehab with, I'm the only one that's still sober. As of today, it's 185 days. I also know I am the only one that adopted a God from a major religion as my higher power. This tells me that the twelve steps won't work unless you honestly believe in a higher power, so it definitely wouldn't be my first choice of treatment if I was ever in a position to treat addictions. I would try other forms of therapy and/or medication with proven efficacy first before considering a twelve step approach. It only works if you genuinely believe in a higher power.

        • StewBalls on 27/03/2016 - 16:46
          +1

          @niggard: What you say is correct, each individual person will respond better to some programs than others.

          The disease model of addiction is flawed because I'm sure some people CAN regain control again - it depends on the individual.

          Well, I have never actually seen a person be truly able to gain/maintain control of their unique addiction (whether it's booze, drugs, gambling or smoking)…ever! Have you? (genuine question, BTW)

          IME, sobriety is the only way of truly arresting an addiction…

        • bambooculm on 27/03/2016 - 16:46
          +2

          [@c0balt] I have looked at the links and dispute that they are unbiased. To actually suggest that AA or NA members have no idea what constitutes an addiction is ridiculous. I quit smoking over 20 years ago, but not all at once. I stopped completely for about six months, then started again while limiting myself to 10 a day for another six months, then stopped finally altogether. My motivation to quit was the existence of my first child, as I wanted to set a better example for him. I know about AA and NA and am aware that it trendy to attack them. Many people reject AA because they are heavy social/binge drinkers, but not true alcoholics. Only about one in ten heavy drinkers is a true alcoholic, and this is the person who can be helped by AA. The people who can be helped by the 12 step programs are similar personality types, possibly as many as 12, and they overlap. Similar personalities can be seen at AA meetings and NA meetings, and some attend both. The heroin addict who wishes to continue drinking can become an alcoholic quite quickly. The person who started the original Cyrenian House in Glebe NSW, was very experienced with morphine withdrawals and alcohol withdrawals etc. There are many examples of people who have been addicted to both narcotics and alcohol at different times. Tobacco addiction is both a physical and mental dependence or addiction. By suggesting that recovering addicts have no idea of what constitutes an addiction , you reveal yourself to be arrogant beyond belief, and extremely biased. Quitting cigarettes without any aids is possible, but only when you have had enough, and you will know when. I once smoked an average of 60 cigarettes per day, among other things.

        • Findo on 27/03/2016 - 16:53
          +3

          @StewBalls: I agree with you. I think for myself, sobriety and clean time is the only way of arresting my addictions. I've seen a few friends change their drinking patterns early on and have avoided becoming full blown alcoholics. I unfortunately crossed the line and I am a textbook alcoholic as mentioned in the AA big book.

          I need to be ruthless with myself. I need to be ruthless with my addictions and not sugar coat it. As Doug Stamper says in season 1 of HoC, "f^ck the zero".

        • c0balt on 27/03/2016 - 17:00
          +1

          @bambooculm:

          1) Care to source as to why they are biased? Are the figures about relapse from AA vs other methods false? What am I missing?

          If you were addicted to alcohol, but then you stopped being addicted through what ever means for a year, but then had had 1 drink - AA would consider you a relapsed alcoholic. That is why I wrote that AA has no idea what constitutes an addiction. It's against common decency to suggest a person can not enjoy a drink after quitting alcohol addiction.

          2) It's trendy to attack AA/NA? Clearly not in this thread. I'm against their model of addiction treatment, their classifications of what constitutes beating an addiction and the per-requisite you need believe in god in order to stop being addicted to a substance - that's just insane.

          3) So if you were to have a cigarette today after not having one for 20 years and having no mental or physical addition to it, would you consider your addiction to have always been there? I.e. you never quit?

        • aboabo on 27/03/2016 - 17:01

          @niggard:

          Holy smoke, you'll probably get this then; it was on TV last week.

          http://www.ucg.org/beyond-today/beyond-today-television-prog…

        • Findo on 27/03/2016 - 17:04

          @aboabo: I had a quick look through it. I dunno what the program is exactly about, can you provide a tl;dr version?

        • aboabo on 27/03/2016 - 17:13

          @niggard:

          No. There's a transcript there.

        • bambooculm on 27/03/2016 - 17:14
          +1

          C0balt, You stated that AA members have no idea of what constitutes an addiction. This is clearly ridiculous. The point you are missing is that your stated idea may be wrong. The failure rate of AA has everything to do with the fact that most heavy drinkers are not in fact, alcoholics. AA exists to help alcoholics. It is trendy to attack any belief in God. This is your objection to AA. You will cling to your biased view regardless of what I say. Read my first line again.

        • StewBalls on 27/03/2016 - 17:19
          +1

          @niggard: It's kind of a raw nerve with me, since A few of my old Army buddies are literally killing themselves with the grog (well, comorbidities & sequelae thereof anyway). My former professional caseload also had a dual-diagnosis component, so I've had a double whack of the unique joys addiction & substance abuse brings to all involved.

          I've never seen a successful approach to any addiction (and smart Bariatric Surgeons I know are getting onboard with this for food addiction) that doesn't involve acceptance of the addiction as a part of the unique neurological/psychological/personality makeup of some individuals. I agree with you - denying, ignoring, trivialising or sugar-coating the problem isn't the answer, all that does is leave us unaware & ultimately more vulnerable to future failure.

          I'll end with the words of an obesity surgeon regarding bariatric surgery to one of our mutual clients battling the question of yo-yo weight gain for the umpteenth time despite staggering past losses on the order of 70-80kg each…"I'm sorry to say, in my [considerable] experience you'll always be [mentally] a fat guy in a skinny guy's body, despite how much you lose…you will never be able to rest, you will always have to be hypervigilant about what goes in your mouth." Surely I shouldn't have to draw the direct parallels for anyone here…

        • c0balt on 27/03/2016 - 17:19
          +1

          @bambooculm:

          1) I never wrote that members don't, I wrote the whole organization doesn't. This isn't ridiculous as you may think as I pointed out above "If you were addicted to alcohol, but then you stopped being addicted through what ever means for years, but then had had 1 drink at a party - AA would consider you a relapsed alcoholic."

          The AA/NA method forces people to believe that they have 0 self control, that they are flawed individuals who even if they beat an addiction can never return to that product otherwise they never beat the addiction in the first place.

          Other more successful methods of substance abuse treatment don't force a person to believe they are so flawed or not in control of their own actions. They seek to empower the person rather than make them self flagellate. They also work around different models of addiction, not only focusing on the disease model of addition as AA does.

          2) If that's the reason why the failure rate for AA is so high, then it would be high for other methods of addiction therapy too.

          3) I read your first line a few times, I asked for clarification but I got none, again.

          4) Please answer my last question in my previous reply "So if you were to have a cigarette today after not having one for 20 years and having no mental or physical addition to it, would you consider your addiction to have always been there? I.e. you never quit?"

        • Findo on 27/03/2016 - 17:22

          @aboabo: my bad, I didn't see the transcript before. The transcript makes sense, although it feels as if they're peddling Christianity a little too hard on that program. It all makes sense, except the bit about antidepressants. Drawing a link between medication and religion is a tad ridiculous.

        • Findo on 27/03/2016 - 17:24
          +3

          @StewBalls: I've come to the realisation that I will always be an alcoholic and can never drink again. I think it's the same with smoking. I can probably never smoke socially anymore.

        • bambooculm on 27/03/2016 - 17:37
          +1

          [@c0balt]the joker, by claiming that the whole organization doesn't, you are implying that the members don't also. Do you really believe that you can separate that organization from the membership? Is the organization comprised of non-members in your mind? The organization cannot exist without the members in this case, except in your mind. Your claim is insulting as well as being ridiculous. It is possible to justify almost anything with words, except for your comment about the organization/membership.

        • c0balt on 27/03/2016 - 17:40

          @bambooculm:

          Why call me the joker? What have I done to warrant a personal insult? I'm being the voice of reason here and have responded to all of your questions, but you haven't answered a single question of mine and change the topic every time you reply. I'll entertain you again though.

          Yes, I just did separate the AA organisation from their clients/members. When someone says that a football club has no idea how to mark a ball, they are not saying all the members don't either. Or would you say that by calling a football club a bunch of horrible markers that I am calling all the members of that club horrible at marking also?

          You have skirted around the question I have asked enough now. Please answer it "If you were to have a cigarette today after not having one for 20 years, and having no mental or physical addition to it, would you consider your addiction to have always been there? I.e. you never quit?".

          Also StewBalls I know your still there - so when you upvote bambooculm's posts just because he is on your side, but even you could see how what wrote is dribble - it doesn't help your position. At least you could string an argument together, this guy is making personal insults and getting tied up on semantics about how an organisation should or shouldn't include it's members when being talked about. You don't want to be associated with that, surely?

        • macrocephalic on 28/03/2016 - 16:28

          @StewBalls: At what point has someone actually quit then? By your logic no one has ever quit anything, they just drastically reduce their usage.

        • [Deactivated] on 28/03/2016 - 22:35
          +2

          @StewBalls:

          As a doctor, AA's definition, or whatever skewed variant you believe in, has no weighting. Addiction is defined by the DSM V. Look it up if you actually care.

          Smoking one pack of ciggies once a year definitely does not constitute an addiction.

          And as a person, one who has never smoked but has seen the horrors it causes, your comments are remarkably unhelpful

      • pasey25 on 28/03/2016 - 08:49
        +5

        I quit needing to smoke everyday, or succumbing to the urge to smoke.

        Glad everyone has enjoyed the discussion here as a result of my post.

        I know where I am at. Thanks for caring ;-)

  • CheapskateQueen on 27/03/2016 - 08:56
    +3

    I wouldn't recommend champix to the OP. Seems like he has some issues and that drug can have really nasty side effects, cause depression, suicidsl thoughts etc so if there's a history of anxiety/depression/addiction to other stuff, don't think it's a good idea. however it does have a good rate of success.

    I'll be back to share my story later. But i think if you've only been smoking for a year, you should be able to kill the habit and so you're off to a good start. Nicotine leaves the body fairly quickly after you stop. It's the mental and emotional addiction and physical habit that is the hardest part.

    In summary i used one pack on nicobate mini minutes and months worth of toothpicks :,) toothpicks were my trick.

  • StewBalls on 27/03/2016 - 09:52
    +3

    OP, speak to your GP, they should know your unique health situation better than strangers on the interwebz & therefore will be able to help you plan your own most efficacious quit regimen.

  • andy19363 on 27/03/2016 - 11:03
    +9

    cold turkey…. 25 yrs ago after the birth of my son……
    Still tempts me, and could start again….. but today I won't.

  • ilsan0 on 27/03/2016 - 11:11
    +2

    Quit 4 good!- Google this and call them.

    Been free of smoking 9 months now. It is non nicotine based treatment costing appox $250 for 25 day course.
    I have tried every treatment under the sun but this worked wonders for me and couple of mates as well.

    Good luck with it mate!!

  • aboabo on 27/03/2016 - 13:04

    I hit YouTube hard. e.g.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6u0xPi-9b0

  • sparkles on 27/03/2016 - 13:43

    Relative of mine managed to kick a hardcore ciggie habit with hypnosis but took up the habit again once the hypnosis sessions stopped. I think ultimately you have to legit WANT to quit, until you reach that point it will always be difficult.

  • tj101 on 27/03/2016 - 13:51
    +1

    I'm not a smoker but the QUIT people came to my school and had some good info- like how the brain works with addiction and how long the nicotine is in your system for. They said the actual craving for nicotine is about 5 minutes, so distract yourself like crazy for that time. Call the QUIT line and also recognise it can take several attempts at quitting as nicotine is addictive! And if drinking is a trigger or certain social situations, avoid them for a while.

    • pointless martyr on 27/03/2016 - 21:05
      -3

      The QUIT people are talking to school kids about drinking as a trigger, like they have a bar in the school canteen or something?

  • [Deactivated] on 27/03/2016 - 13:54
    -7

    I have something called will power. I smoked for 10 years. One day I stopped. I haven't had a cigarette since I stopped, which was almost a decade ago now. Stop being pathetic, and just stop.

    • [Deactivated] on 27/03/2016 - 16:33
      +3

      If true, you are in a tiny minority of people who doesn't get addicted to nicotine. Being dismissive & calling someone pathetic who is trying to improve their life says a lot about the kind of person you are.

      (And yes, I downvoted your rude & unhelpful comment)

      • [Deactivated] on 27/03/2016 - 17:17
        +7

        No, I was addicted, I had terrible cravings, but I have will power. Its not rude, people need to harden up. All this namby pamby, 'I can't do this, its too hard' is a load of bullshit. Man up.

        • [Deactivated] on 27/03/2016 - 18:06
          +4

          Too bad you couldn't have utilised some of your impressive willpower in resisting the urge to offer unhelpful, self-aggrandising comments.

        • StewBalls on 27/03/2016 - 18:25
          +5

          @Juddy:

          Too bad you couldn't have utilised some of your impressive willpower in resisting the urge to buy a jeep.

          Fixed :)

        • [Deactivated] on 27/03/2016 - 19:07
          +2

          @Juddy:

          It's not impressive, people have just gone soft.

        • nubzy on 28/03/2016 - 10:23
          -1

          Agree with you. Nor do I believe nicotine is addictive, at least not to all people. I experimented with a lot of tobacco products when I was young and never developed an addiction. I did enjoy the nicotine buzz though. If you don't want to give up tobacco completely then I would say consider nasal snuff or Swedish snus. Otherwise, simply man up and don't buy another pack or give in to impulses.

        • [Deactivated] on 28/03/2016 - 12:38

          @nubzy:

          "I experimented with a lot of tobacco products when I was young and never developed an addiction."

          Ooooooooh ok.
          Translation - it didn't happen to me = it doesn't happen to anyone else.

      • PJC on 27/03/2016 - 19:33

        A tiny minority who doesn't get addicted to nicotine? Would you like to rephrase that unrealistic statement?

      • pointless martyr on 27/03/2016 - 21:02
        +1

        +1

        not coz i agree with you, i think ur talking bulldust, but coz you had the conviction to claim the neg you dished out.

        Props

        • StewBalls on 27/03/2016 - 21:06
          +2

          Yup, not enough cowboyin' up in the world today…I used all my negs on c0balt, dammit! ;)

    • pointless martyr on 27/03/2016 - 16:40
      +3

      Yeh i agree. I started smoking in high school. Smoked 10-15 a day for a few years. Was a proper smoker - would light up with morning coffee, after every meal, leave aa warm room to go outside in the middle of winter, and if out on the piss id char a whole pack easy etc.

      3 years ago i just thought f$&@ this, $20 a pack to slowly kill myself?

      also, tobacco companies are up there with banks, pharmaceuticals, and petrochemicals in terms of their Moral bankruptcy - another good motivation

      So i cut down about 1 per day for a few weeks, to the point where i was having 1 every second day after dinner, to slowly wean off nicotine

      Then i just stopped completely - i also quit drinking for a month as i knew id crack after a few beers…. I figured that seeing as people say it takes 21 days to break a habit, id give it an extra week for good measure

      Havent had one since, and several of my good mates are smokers so im often around ciggies

      After youve quit for a few weeks, go for a run/ride/ kick the footy and focus on how good it feels to be able to suck down deep breaths - every time i see someone smoking, i take a really deep breath and think how good it feels to have clear lungs

      And if i see something i want to buy, i barely think twice as if i was smoking, i d be spending up to $100 a week on the darts…easy to rationalise spending extra on clothes , food etc

      Its really not as hard as you think - i never even entertained going on mind altering drugs or even nico patches, and was successful in my first attempt

      Good luck buddy

      • dltra on 29/03/2016 - 14:46

        edit: wrong person!

    • GameChanger on 28/03/2016 - 12:35
      +1

      This is why I like reading your comments; no BS straight to the point.

    • dltra on 29/03/2016 - 14:46
      +1

      i know this is a super difficult and advanced concept but here we go: people are different. give it a few minutes, you'll get it eventually.
      seriously, i can't imagine being so depleted of empathy that i'd ridicule someone who couldn't achieve something i did. after all, if i got an A+ in that maths test, anyone who scored less is an idiot or doesn't know how to try hard enough right?

  • stevednj48 on 27/03/2016 - 14:56

    Champix for me smoked for about 10 years doctor told me to stop when i wanted not when the packet said.
    My last smoke i had about two drags didn't know at the time it was my last just stopped.

  • PJC on 27/03/2016 - 15:14
    +4

    My mother smoked 40 untipped cigarettes every single day for 43 years. The GP, pleased with her progress re diabetes, reduced her medication and asked if there was anything else he could do for her. She said she would like some help with giving up smoking. She got that help. He was very smug and laughed, saying "Oh Mrs XXX, by now I think smoking is just a part of who you are". She held her temper until she returned home and then exploded with fury at his smug dismissal. Never smoked another cigarette.

    • sparkles on 28/03/2016 - 12:06
      +3

      He's a genius, it worked! Perhaps that's a great way to motivate stubborn know-it-all types. Dismiss them as being able to quit, and watch them try to prove you wrong. A form of negative reinforcement I guess. Hmmmm. Gonna try this on my relative.

  • Findo on 27/03/2016 - 15:18
    +2

    This afternoon I woke up feeling guilty as hell, and without any desire to smoke any more cigarettes. The two cigarettes last night demonstrated that NRT actually works, as well as a change in mindset - Dunhills no longer taste as good as they used to. I'm going to look into therapy for quitting, and when I check in to rehab for relapse prevention in May I'll definitely look for a smoke free one. Thanks guys!

  • SpaceFrog on 27/03/2016 - 15:21
    +12

    Dad smoked for 35+ years, until he had a stroke at 55. He thought he was done for, gave mum the take care of the boys speech.

    Quit cold-turkey

    He's turning 70 in a couple of weeks. Still here… but his unhealthy lifestyle hasn't done him any favours. I've seen 96 year olds in better shape than my dad.

    my advice to everyone that reads this.

    Take care of yourselves. Watch what you put into your body, and get some exercise. Take care of your mind & body.

  • [Deactivated] on 27/03/2016 - 16:30
    +7

    Never give up on giving up. I found each attempt, regardless of how long it lasted, seemed to make the next attempt and my resolve that little bit stronger.

    I suggest you save the money you would have otherwise wasted on tobacco for a few months and then spend it on something nice for yourself. It's a nmice reminder of your progress and something tangible you are gaining by not smoking.

    • Souljarh on 27/03/2016 - 17:26
      +1

      This is so true and proven. With each attempt to quit your chance of success increases.

      • Christop86 on 28/03/2016 - 20:29

        Not sure if it's true with alcohol.

        Other addictions though, including smoking - right on.

    • StewBalls on 27/03/2016 - 20:33
      +1

      I suggest you save the money you would have otherwise wasted on tobacco for a few months and then spend it on something nice for yourself. It's a nmice reminder of your progress and something tangible you are gaining by not smoking.

      This is actually called Differential Reinforcement, and believe it or not it is a powerful, valid tool for effecting behavioural change!

  • Cave Fire on 27/03/2016 - 16:41
    +1

    I would say that you have to try and pattern break. This also means trying different strategies if you are not successfully quitting for long periods. For me, the best thing was getting into personal fitness (replacing a bad habit with a good one). In the beginning, I had someone who would pick me up every second day or so to go to the gym. This helped establish a routine and I had someone to be accountable to. After putting so much effort in the gym, I felt less likely to engage in behaviours that were not healthy. I then supported this by avoiding triggering situations such as drinking, being around other smokers or even being alone with nothing to do. It is up to you to find out what prompts you to smoke and what to replace it with. And you also have throw away any cigs you have left…!

  • Meho2026 on 27/03/2016 - 17:12
    +1

    Only thing that worked for me was attending an Allen Carr Easyway clinic, they run them in most capital cities
    http://allencarr.com.au

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