Joel Spitzer

You are welcome Latoya. Hope you find the page helpful. Joel

Video explains how inclement weather conditions often hit smokers harder and make their lives more complicated than people who do not smoke. Related resources: It's cold outside, boy do I need a cigarette Yesterday's video Watching others smoke I am climbing the walls because I quit smoking The second half of this video explores the lengths smokers go to and the risks they may take in order to get cigarettes in really inclement and dangerous conditions. Non-related resources: Are you questioning your New Year’s resolution to quit smoking? Since it is January 2nd, I wanted to make people aware of last year's video addressing new year's quitters who were already questioning the wisdom or logic of their New Year's resolution.

Below are resources related to questions or comments you raised here. Besides watching the top of the page videos, be sure to check out the links on the bottom of each page. "Most of the time I am OK but there are days and moments when I want one." http://whyquit.com/joels-videos/i-want-one/ "I have no cigarettes and do not feel like buying any." http://whyquit.com/joels-videos/i-am-doing-okay-im-not-buying-cigarettes/ http://whyquit.com/joels-videos/finding-cigarettes/ "Sometimes i worry about relapse because some people do." http://whyquit.com/joels-videos/the-fear-of-relapsing/ http://whyquit.com/joels-videos/its-inevitable-some-smokers-are-going-to-relapse/ "I cannot quite figure out WHY someone would relapse after months or years of not smoking." http://whyquit.com/joels-videos/complacency/ http://whyquit.com/joels-videos/i-will-control-my-smoking-now/ http://whyquit.com/joels-videos/i-know-too-much-about-smoking-to-ever-be-able-to-relapse/ http://whyquit.com/joels-videos/lost-long-term-quits/ " I guess we always have SOME level of desire but it weakens" http://whyquit.com/joels-videos/ill-have-to-use-willpower-for-the-rest-of-my-life-not-to-smoke/ "For those who DO light up after so long, what is it like? I imagine it to be pleasant somehow, like the first hit off the first cig in a brand new pack." http://whyquit.com/joels-videos/smoking-a-cigarette-will-help-me-secure-my-quit/ http://whyquit.com/joels-videos/ive-relapsed-and-i-hate-it/

Here are a few resource pages addressing different issues you raised here: http://whyquit.com/joels-videos/are-doctors-taught-about-nicotine-recovery/ http://whyquit.com/joels-videos/every-quit-is-different/ http://whyquit.com/joels-videos/past-successful-quits/ Since you mentioned feeling deprived last time: http://whyquit.com/joels-videos/no-thank-you-i-cant-have-a-cigarette/ http://whyquit.com/joels-videos/i-gave-up-smoking/ http://whyquit.com/joels-videos/resources-regarding-the-advantage-of-quitting-with-a-positive-attitude/ http://whyquit.com/joels-videos/some-people-wont-be-happy-until-they-relapse/ http://whyquit.com/joels-videos/intentional-relapses/ I am glad that you did not experience the ongoing depression this time around. Your attitude may have played a factor in this. At the same time though, I don't want people reading this who may be experiencing ongoing symptoms to automatically write them off to attitude issues and not seek help for ongoing problems. The following pages address this issue: http://whyquit.com/joels-videos/when-you-may-really-need-to-talk-to-your-doctor-about-quitting-smoking/ http://whyquit.com/joels-videos/resources-regarding-mental-health-issues/ http://whyquit.com/joels-videos/will-this-get-better/ One extra resource I want to make people here aware of is the page http://whyquit.com/joels-videos/resources-to-pass-along-to-health-professionals/

Nice to meet you PeaceTrain. There are so many people who believe that they can never quit, and sadly the idea is perpetuated by so many in the tobacco control, the popular media and the medical community. It is shocking how many professionals believe that quitting is close to impossible for many smokers. The resources that I assembled on the page http://whyquit.com/joels-videos/breaking-free-from-nicotines-grip-is-more-doable-than-most-people-think/ hit home the point that smokers can quit even if they don't believe the can. Also the page http://whyquit.com/joels-videos/i-cant-quit-or-i-wont-quit/ is a good one for debunking the idea that people can't quit. One other page worth mentioning is http://whyquit.com/joels-videos/do-you-really-need-to-want-to-quit-more-than-you-want-to-smoke/. It touches on a peripheral issue that I think handicaps some people from starting or sustaining their quits. People here like you are doing a great service by sharing your experiences and insights. The page http://whyquit.com/joels-videos/showing-others-that-there-is-life-without-smoking/ illustrates how everyone sharing their experiences are helping all who participate or just read here. Wishing you a happy new years too and know that it is likely to be a happier, healthier and calmer year by you continuing to stick to your personal commitment to never take another puff. Joel

Thanks Jenny. Glad to be here.

Glad to have been able to help Devil Doll. I'd write more but just getting ready to release a new video and have a few quick announcements I need to get out. Actually, here is the link to the new page with the video now: http://whyquit.com/joels-videos/its-cold-outside-boy-do-i-need-a-cigarette/ I need to work out a protocol as to how to announce new videos here at Quittrain. For now you may be the first to see it since its first public announcement is here in a reply to you that I believe you are getting a notification for by me using your quote. As you can see from above, I am just getting used to this new system.

Thanks reciprocity. Now I have a better understanding of how this works.

I just figured out how to use the "quote" feature here. MQ wrote me yesterday to just hit the "Quote" function when wanting to respond, but for some reason I thought it meant hitting the "+" next to the "Quote" and nothing was happening. Now I got finally got it. Sorry for not getting these quotes into the responses that I did yesterday to these comments. Still getting to know the different functions on the board. When you use the quote feature, does it notify the person who was quoted that you have responded to their post?

Nice to see you here too ILikeTurtles. I believe we have had quite a few conversations through the YouTube comment section over the past year. Most people on that channel just ask a question or two or send a simple thank you. There are a few people though who are I have had more regular and ongoing conversations with--and I feel like you are in that category. Later I will go check through the comment section on the channel and remind myself what our major topics of our conversations were over there. Whatever they were, I hope that you found them all helpful. Look forward to seeing you around the board here now. Joel

Hello Latoya: The title of your post here caught my attention. Check out my resource page "Boy do I miss smoking" All of the materials on that page address the concept of "missing them."

Nice to meet your Doreen. You wrote that knowledge was your tool. I believe knowledge is the greatest tool any smoker can utilize to successfully quit smoking. The one page I have that focuses on this issue is http://whyquit.com/joels-videos/resources-related-to-the-importance-of-being-smarter-than-nicotine-as-opposed-to-having-to-be-stronger/ So many people are afraid that they can't quit because they are not strong enough to overcome the grip that nicotine holds on them. In truth though, people don't take control of their addiction by being stronger than nicotine, but by becoming smarter than nicotine. This is not that big of a task considering that nicotine has no intelligence whatsoever. So a little bit of knowledge can go a long way--actually all the way in finally taking control over nicotine addiction. The one piece of knowledge that people need to understand to overcome nicotine's grip is that all that they need to do to stay free is to make and stick to a personal commitment to never take another puff. Joel

Glad to have been able to help Sazerac. Don't give me too much credit for your success though--your work and your efforts is what made your quit successful. The page http://whyquit.com/joels-videos/i-couldnt-have-done-it-without-you/ addresses this issue. Also, I think you will appreciate the page http://whyquit.com/joels-videos/quitting-smoking-can-be-a-very-lonely-experience/ Congratulations on your four years of freedom--and remember to keep the streak going is as simple now as remembering to never take another puff. Joel

Hello Cristobal. Good seeing you online again too.

I am glad that you have found my materials helpful reciprocity. Congratulations on what looks like your 11 months quit.

Thanks MQ. I really appreciate the guidance you gave me on how to create it. It took me close to a year to get it figured out and created but I am really happy to have it up and going now. Look forward to being able to use it to help your members and reader at the site. Joel

Video explaining how I am joining up at Quittrain and will occasionally participate at the site. Related resources: Is cold turkey the only way to quit? Sharing our materials at other quit sites I realize I forgot that some of my relapse prevention materials can also cause a bit of controversy. I will avoid ever posting or engaging in any of the slip/relapse discussions that may happen at the site. I do feel that the “Why people smoke” materials and the “Why people should quit smoking” materials can help all people no matter what approaches they are choosing to use to quit. Most of the relapse materials too will be good for all members and readers but some people may want to steer clear of the resources touching on the slip vs relapse issue. About Joel Spitzer Link to the new index page