If you or someone you know has quit or reduced smoking tell me how they did it. Even if you don't know anyone but if you can suggest any tips or tricks post them.

 

#1

I quit cigarettes for the vape like 7 years ago. Last month I quit the vape. You just gotta put the stuff down and refuse to pick it back up. Deal with the withdraws for a week and youll be fine. Focus on that light at the end of the tunnel. Stay strong. I wish you luck.

Report

Add photo comments
POST
#2

I went called turkey. And ate mints lots of mints and I did it 4yrs I've been a none smocker. Good luck you can do it

Report

#3

A few quickfire ones...

nicfits are no fun when you feel irritable , where a rubber band and snap it on your wrist when you get upset, helps to keep you grounded and reduces your lashing out towards coworkers.

Keep a journal that détails number of cigs and any reduction devices used as well as your overall mood. The best thing to ensure you do it is to get a phone app like daylio and set it so it prompts you to fill it out the same time every day. This way you hold yourself accountable and can see genuine progress. It also makes it easier to pinpoint factors that cause you to potentially relapse and see the sort of journey you make. It also could be benefitial to some healthcare professionals should you enlist a doctor's help so that they may provide different treatment options better tailored to your experience. Also knowing you'll shame yourself for smoking helps inhibit your own desire to smoke.

Avoid replacing one addiction with another however often taking up a hobby or having some sort of break up from your usual day to day helps (ie. Beginning quitting while on a trip or enrolling in a class/volunteering/ learning a skill during a time you usually smoke more heavily)

If you are being inspired by someone else to do this (obviously no one can make you quit, you have to do it for yourself) put a physical image of them in your cigarettes so you see it if you go to smoke. Same goes if you're stopping to get something (ie. Save money for a trip etc).

Some people replace cigarettes with increase coffee while at work. Avoid this, caffeine actually intensifiés the withdrawal symptoms and again you're trading one substance for another. Instead try to cut back on your caffeine intake and ensure you drink more water to help flush your system while you essentially detox.

If you get smoke breaks, take them but spend them getting fresh air, take short walks and stay away from the smoking area.

If you smoke to relax, take up meditation or consider seeing a therapist to learn healthier coping skills so that you don't potentially relapse during a time of high stress later.

Reach out or look for resources where you live. This can be support groups, access to free medical services or subsidized reduction aids. This can be government affiliated/run or non-profits.

Report

Add photo comments
POST
ADVERTISEMENT
#4

Always carry a pencil. Part of smoking is the muscle memory of holding a cigarette, having a patch is fine but now there is nothing to keep your hands occupied, while there are nicotine reduction aids that are cigarette like, they are harder to come by/ are larger than a normal cigarette. Get a small pencil that is round (like a golf pencil) and keep it in your pocket. You can hold it like a cigarette and go through the familiar motions to help transition yourself. My friend actually wrapped a pencil in the same paper just to better replicate the feel and found it really helped.

Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#5

When I decided to quit smoking, I quit using the way I weaned my kids off the bottle. I first quit the easiest ones that I could live without. Then I slowly quit the ones that were a bit harder. When I wanted a smoke, I would do something to distract myself like take a walk, play with my dog, take a shower, do a chore anything to not smoke. I would give a week or so between letting go of another time to have a smoke. The hardest ones to let go of was the first thing in the morning with my coffee and smoking while stuck in traffic. When I got down to two cigarettes a day, I slowly started to do my best to not have one all day. It took a few months to fully quit those last two, but I finally did it. It's been about 12 years since I had my last smoke and I still find myself wanting one when I am stuck in traffic or really having a stressful day. I'll never start back because I don't want to have to quit again.

Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#6

I was “lucky” that I needed an operation, and needed to lay still on my back for 24/7. I thought that was the best time to quit smoking after 16 years. It worked well, never smoked again although I am still temped sometimes.

Report

Add photo comments
POST
#7

I switched to vaping, then every time I bought fluid I reduced the nicotine content, until I hit zero. It worked a treat.
I

Report

Add photo comments
POST
#8

vaping? gum? patches? I've never smoked but have you considered any of those options?

Report

Add photo comments
POST
ADVERTISEMENT
#9

I have never smoked or vaped or anything like that but you could always try to quit smoking and vaping by pretending that they are worms

Report

Add photo comments
POST
#10

Take up a really bitter cigarette.Smoke it at a stretch till y can't anymore and feel the urge to puke.Evertime y feel an urge to smoke , remember that experience.

Report

Add photo comments
POST
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda