March 13, 20188 yr Hey guys, I'm doing some homework on the quit smoking process. What products do you think are most helpful? Maybe foods or special techniques?
March 13, 20188 yr I found NRT extremely useful, patches and lozenges for the first 3/4 weeks got mw where i am today day 128
March 14, 20188 yr I used NRT gum for the first 2 3/4 months. Was prepared to use it for the first 6 but have been going fine without it. Normal chewie helps also, I tend to go for flavours I hate to minimise the chance of creating another addiction.
March 14, 20188 yr The best for me was all the information to read that is posted on this site. After many failed attempts using nicotine replacement products, I found that learning about & truly understanding how the addiction works on one’s brain to be the most helpful tool. Once I understood the concept of smoking to relieve the withdrawal symptoms (as compared with for pleasure or to relieve stress or to deal with anxiety), in other words, all the reasons (excuses) my addicted brain told me that I needed to smoke for. Once I just accepted the fact that I was only smoking to relieve withdrawal & thus would be stuck with having to smoke every hour or two for the rest of my life UNLESS I chose to experience a “once and for all” withdrawal that would finally put an end to this cycle. It took months; but the oldsters were right. It really does go away with the passage of time. The rewards are unbelievable. The only way out of it is through it. Read & understand the addiction & you too will find your way through it.
March 14, 20188 yr Nico gum worked for me. But be careful not to get hooked on it too. My aunt still chews the gum after many many years
March 14, 20188 yr Education about the nature of the addiction is all you need. Add a dose of willpower and some support from a group like this and the jobs done.
March 14, 20188 yr Hi unsmokeyourself & welcome! Good that you are doing some homework. Reading here is a great start...lots of videos also! Ice water & healthy snacks...sprinkle in some junk food that you love! Deep breathing exercises...positive attitude....commitment... Don't wait, over-thinking gives you too much time to chicken out. You can do it...glad you're here...hope you stick around.
March 15, 20188 yr Hi USY! I'm not sure there's an "all fits one" answer to your question, if that makes sense. People are different whether they are smokers or not. Therefore, each person will react differently to a major, life changing event like quitting smoking. I'm not sure there is a right way or a less right way to quit, depending on who you are. I think whatever support you feel you need initially is fine. As long as that gets you to a point of getting off that support at some point. This is a powerful addiction and any aid in quitting is a good thing for people to at least explore. The bottom line is ....... there's no EASY way out of this addiction. Every one of us has to do the heavy lifting at some point in order to break free of participating in this addiction.
March 15, 20188 yr Nic gum worked for me. But start substituting with same flavour regular gum as you progress. That way you don’t get hooked! Good luck with your Quit!
March 16, 20188 yr It's been three months for me, not too bad. here's what I did -- Got a box of patches ready. Marlboro sends out great coupons for their ecig thing. Get a unit and some of the cartridges ready (10 cartridges and a unit came out to $20 for me, i still have some 3 mos later). I also got 5 bags of sunflower seeds. For the first week i had the patch on each day, during cravings i had seeds. my wife and i drink frequently at a bar near here, the ecigs were a massive help while we were there (we still use them, mainly at the bar and not always). if there's a big event or party where i'll be drinking heavily, i will wear half a patch (i don't cut them, i just peel off one of the backing pieces and stick half of it on me). Probably doesn't help you at this point, but we had planned the timing for after the stress of holidays and for during the winter (we're in the North East). We don't smoke inside and it's damn cold out a lot of the time. Sounds minor but it has definitely helped a lot. in my opinion, for the extremely bad cravings (later in your quit, use patches first) and triggers (ie. drinking at the bar or driving) the ecig things have kept me most sane. i think it's funny that, when i used to smoke, i thought they were the most ridiculous things ever. good luck!
March 16, 20188 yr This.. On 3/13/2018 at 10:20 PM, Mollie1 said: The best for me was all the information to read that is posted on this site. After many failed attempts using nicotine replacement products, I found that learning about & truly understanding how the addiction works on one’s brain to be the most helpful tool. Once I understood the concept of smoking to relieve the withdrawal symptoms (as compared with for pleasure or to relieve stress or to deal with anxiety), in other words, all the reasons (excuses) my addicted brain told me that I needed to smoke for. Once I just accepted the fact that I was only smoking to relieve withdrawal & thus would be stuck with having to smoke every hour or two for the rest of my life UNLESS I chose to experience a “once and for all” withdrawal that would finally put an end to this cycle. It took months; but the oldsters were right. It really does go away with the passage of time. The rewards are unbelievable. The only way out of it is through it. Read & understand the addiction & you too will find your way through it.
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