Not sure if this is the right group. Heavy smoker looking for friends to share experiences and tips.

1 hour ago, snowghost said:

Not sure if this is the right group. Heavy smoker looking for friends to share experiences and tips.

I'm here, in the same sinking boat as you but giving it all before my health declines. It's a slow and frustrating experience. What's on your mind? What have you tried? They can help here for sure. 😀

On the patch weaning down from 3 Dutch Master cigars to zero eventually. Not sure if this is good advice but it worked for me last time and I quit for 6 years! One bad mistake and I was back again. I know all the lies and cheats. It takes all you have, especially have smoked for over 40 years!

I just can't see putting down the cigarettes and just say don't pick up. I've been smoking 25 years, and severe panic attacks. I've been reading everything I can here. The patch really help? How many mg?

1 minute ago, snowghost said:

I just can't see putting down the cigarettes and just say don't pick up. I've been smoking 25 years, and severe panic attacks. I've been reading everything I can here. The patch really help? How many mg?

Starting on step 1 I'm afraid. I have the same problems. Anxiety issues and Depression controlled by meds. Last time I weaned down, and you have to believe the patch will alleviate the cravings. Stay busy also away from those cancer sticks. It's the hardest thing for me to quit, a second time. First time was 6 years, Stupid me. All it took was one cigar and I was hooked again. You almost have to be locked in a facility if you know what I mean. They don't let you smoke in a ward. ☹️ They slap a patch on you and your own your own. It was tough but I did it last time not by choice. Hope I was of some help.

I'm just happy someone responded, other people have too! This is my third site, the other ones were old posts, text only or just didn't plain work. oh, and I typed that wrong, 50 years smoking.

Edited 3 hours ago3 hr by snowghost
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Hi @snowghost. Welcome to the Quit Train! This is a great forum to get info and encouragement to help you quit.

We’ve all been where you are… sick beyond sick of smoking but compelled to continue and afraid of how awful we think quitting will be. That’s how addiction works. But it CAN be beaten!

Cold turkey, nicotine replacement, Rx meds - they all work if you’re serious about breaking free. I smoked for ~45 years and used patches and lozenges for the first few weeks, to fortify my quit and help me through the early days. Start at the highest dosage patch (unless you have a health condition). Dermal absorption works fine, but is less potent than delivery via smoking.

Be wary of “weaning”… it will likely make your cravings worse, as weaning puts you in a more or less permanent state if nicotine depletion.

Good luck to you! Hope you decide to take the plunge soon. Life gets SO MUCH better on the other side….

Hi @snowghost , I have smoked for ~45 years. Never did a serious attempt to quit as I was afraid for never been able to smoke. Always had thoughts about the good ones: after waking up, after a meal, after a task completed. Never thought about the ones that make me feel nauseas, gave me a headache, etc.

I quit almost 11 months ago, cold turkey , after I educated myself about nicotine addiction.

The first two weeks are no fun, but very doable. Stay active. Keep your mind busy, distraction from 'I want one'.

Then it is a short period of mwah. After that you will notice that cravings are becoming less and less and are not intense anymore.

I still have cravings sometimes at this point in my quit but I know what it is and can move my shoulders.

Step on the quit train!