Aa
Cold Turkey or use of Aides
Personally I think using a stop smoking aide that keeps nicotine in your system, interferes with the mental mindset necessary to successfully end the addiction.
Why?
Because addiction has two components that are both addicting. One is the Mental or psychological reasons we smoke, which are all different for each of us individually. Secondly, the physical side of nicotine that interferes with our blood sugar levels, ability to deal with stress, the part that actually alters physically the way our bodies are meant to work. When we use gum for instance. we are not doing the act of lifting hand to mouth, but are still feeding the body the nicotine to avoid the shock of withdrawels, while we concentrate on the habit side of it all. We fill that side with hard candy, paperclips, fake cigs or whatever we can to avoid that mental void that laying them down brings about.
For some people, they have been successful by cutting down. This never worked for me, cause the minute my life took a turn or if I was in a setting with someone who smoked, my reseverve totally went out the window, and the thoughts of cutting down make me want them even more, same if someone told me I should quit, it made me want them even more, so you see the physcological side is as strong or in my opinion stronger than the physical addiction itself. Some of course would disagree, and I speak soley from personal perspective here.
I have seen people become addicted to the gum, because they shifted that dependency to it instead of the cigarettes in much the same way as someone who chews tobacco.
In my opinion, if your thinking of quitting. You know it is not going to be easy right? So if you have the choice of paying more money for a third party to help you out over several weeks and months, or go cold and have the nasty stuff out of you system in 72 hrs, why would you not opt to get it out and be done with it? It is the time and success gained by going the 72 hr route that gives you the incentive to move on. I have saved 175.00 in three weeks. I simply transfer this money from buying a carton to my personal savings. If I fail, I have to return the money to the budget. As long as I am smoke free I get to keep that money for something I want. Think about it! I am not feeling deprived cause I am rewarding, or paying myself for my success.
Why?
Because addiction has two components that are both addicting. One is the Mental or psychological reasons we smoke, which are all different for each of us individually. Secondly, the physical side of nicotine that interferes with our blood sugar levels, ability to deal with stress, the part that actually alters physically the way our bodies are meant to work. When we use gum for instance. we are not doing the act of lifting hand to mouth, but are still feeding the body the nicotine to avoid the shock of withdrawels, while we concentrate on the habit side of it all. We fill that side with hard candy, paperclips, fake cigs or whatever we can to avoid that mental void that laying them down brings about.
For some people, they have been successful by cutting down. This never worked for me, cause the minute my life took a turn or if I was in a setting with someone who smoked, my reseverve totally went out the window, and the thoughts of cutting down make me want them even more, same if someone told me I should quit, it made me want them even more, so you see the physcological side is as strong or in my opinion stronger than the physical addiction itself. Some of course would disagree, and I speak soley from personal perspective here.
I have seen people become addicted to the gum, because they shifted that dependency to it instead of the cigarettes in much the same way as someone who chews tobacco.
In my opinion, if your thinking of quitting. You know it is not going to be easy right? So if you have the choice of paying more money for a third party to help you out over several weeks and months, or go cold and have the nasty stuff out of you system in 72 hrs, why would you not opt to get it out and be done with it? It is the time and success gained by going the 72 hr route that gives you the incentive to move on. I have saved 175.00 in three weeks. I simply transfer this money from buying a carton to my personal savings. If I fail, I have to return the money to the budget. As long as I am smoke free I get to keep that money for something I want. Think about it! I am not feeling deprived cause I am rewarding, or paying myself for my success.
I didn't believe I had it in me to do CT and because Chantix worked for me, I will never know. I am just so grateful to have quit!
I know that CT is the way to go but I also know that some will feel so overwhelmed without aid and so I recommend the patch as an Nic aide and Chantix as a non-Nic aide.
This may not be popular, but it's the way I roll ; )
I would NEVER recommend the gum or lozenge, e-cig or any other non FDA approved method but someone once said (sing it with me) "whatever gets you through the night" and if you can get a "quit" out of it, well then that's a good thing ; )
Congrats teko on 3 weeks and Jade on 9 days....you are doing terrific!
I know that CT is the way to go but I also know that some will feel so overwhelmed without aid and so I recommend the patch as an Nic aide and Chantix as a non-Nic aide.
This may not be popular, but it's the way I roll ; )
I would NEVER recommend the gum or lozenge, e-cig or any other non FDA approved method but someone once said (sing it with me) "whatever gets you through the night" and if you can get a "quit" out of it, well then that's a good thing ; )
Congrats teko on 3 weeks and Jade on 9 days....you are doing terrific!
Excellent post, Teko! I couldn't agree more about nixing the aids and going cold turkey. In my opinion, the aids are a waste of time for exactly the reasons you state. My mother has a friend who quit smoking 6yrs ago. She celebrates each year that goes by but guess what...she's STILL chewing the gum! An addiction for an addiction.
As you know, I am on my third quit in 2yrs. I have no excuse other than the fact, I let my mind get weak. I would feel overwhelmed and make a concious effort to start again. My husband doesn't smoke nor my family nor do I have a single friend who smokes so I am entirely to blame for my relapses.
I am on my 9th day and this time, when I feel a craving, it's more because I want to inhale something so I just take a deep breath and inhale the fresh air. I did try the straw trick, but found myself wanting to inhale through it which only led to hyperventilation. The straw trick is not for me lol.
Again Teko, great post and YOU are doing Awesome. Love your attitude!!!! :)
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1w 1d 11:36 smoke-free, 82 cigs not smoked, $22.55 saved, 6:50 life saved
As you know, I am on my third quit in 2yrs. I have no excuse other than the fact, I let my mind get weak. I would feel overwhelmed and make a concious effort to start again. My husband doesn't smoke nor my family nor do I have a single friend who smokes so I am entirely to blame for my relapses.
I am on my 9th day and this time, when I feel a craving, it's more because I want to inhale something so I just take a deep breath and inhale the fresh air. I did try the straw trick, but found myself wanting to inhale through it which only led to hyperventilation. The straw trick is not for me lol.
Again Teko, great post and YOU are doing Awesome. Love your attitude!!!! :)
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1w 1d 11:36 smoke-free, 82 cigs not smoked, $22.55 saved, 6:50 life saved
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