Planning to quit, need support

[Ashleyd85]

Hi there, my name is Ashley and I have finally decided that I need to quit. My motivation is to be healthier, save more money and to be healthy again so I can try to conceive a child with my hubby. Here is my problem though... almost every one I know (including my family and hubby) smokes. In the morning I feel fine but then as the day goes by I tend to feel that lack of comfort that I do when I smoke and start feeling anxious for that cigarette. The reason why I smoked to begin with was because it was an oral fix for me and a way to relax from stress, out of boredom, etc. I had my day planned on when I smoked and I don't know how to do this cold turkey. I would love all the support and advice I can from you guys. You all seem like a great support group.

[zoe32forever]

hi, im sorry to hear that u dont get the support from ur health service in america..we do in the uk. patches,gum etc. But iv smoked for 20 yrs and have quited in the past and im due to quit again.the only advice i can give you is what iv found to help me in the past and it dosnt cost anything..it doing some  strong affirmations,where u look in the mirror and say it loud what u are,what ur about,what u wanna achieve,who u wanna be etc and its got to  be positive sayings..and uve gotta look into ur own eyes and believe what ur saying so when that nicotine monster is craving i actually address the monster as if it was real  inside me cos i end up saying to it ""your not welcome here""u are weak and ur getting weaker by the minute"" "im gonna kick ur *** in today lil monster" stupid i know..but it really helps to be verbal with urself,,say it loud and be proud..feel it feel the fear and do it anyway,,u have nothing to lose and so much to gain. x

[Ashleyd85]

Hey Cheer!

Yea I've come to the conclusion that I'm going to need some sort of smoke aid. I'm going to try and see if I can get something from my doctor first before I try over the counter (only because I don't have the cash for it). I've done something similar to what you do as far as writing down the time. Though it would be easier if I had a job right now. You don't get a choice but to be away from that cig till your smoke break lol.

So yea, cold turkey failed horribly... need new suggestions. The patches work though?

[Cheerleadermom]

Oh I so hear ya! Cigaretts here in Mass are 8.81 a pack!  This was my plan. Monday of this week I decieded to quit. So I wrote down on a piece of paper every time I had a smoke and the time. That made me more aware of how much I smoked. Tuesday morning when I woke up I waited as long as I could before I lite up, I made it to 10:30, I woke up at 7:30. And again wrote down when I smoked, but made myself wait 2 hours between cigaretts.Alowing myself only 10 per day. Then Wednesday again waited again till 10:30 but limited myself to only 7. Today thursdayI woke up and put a patch on Nicaderm CQ, allowing myself NO cigeretts. So far so good havent had any all day. My last smoke was last night at 10:00 its now 7:51. Everyone quits in there own way just thought Id share my journey. Hopefully I can stay smoke free tomorrow. Wish me luck. By the way the patches DO help and cost about as much as 4 packs smoking is more expensive than the patches. Good luck!

[Ashleyd85]

Just updating everyone, I have learned it's incredibly hard to quit. Cigarettes are going to go up $7 a pack by April here in Cali and I'm hoping I can quit on the 1st. A pack used to be $3.50 and I'm unemployed I can't afford $7 a day or every two days.

I'm feeling guilty right now because my mom handed me a pack yesterday and I still have 8 left of it. I really am feeling torn up about it. I don't have insurance to go see a doctor about it. I kinda want to kick myself because I'm 23 going on 24 next month, I started smoking when I was 16 and there are people out there who went cold turkey and smoked longer than I have. I'm starting to understand the emotional attachment I have for a cigarette and it sickens me thinking about it yet I'm still smoking. I need help guys, what can I do? I don't have health insurance, I don't have money, is there anything I can do to help myself right now???

[Ashleyd85]

Thanks guys, I'm hoping to start tomorrow. I'm thinking about getting some gum (like normal chewing gum) just so I can go through my oral fix tomorrow.

I feel extremely guilty about this whole thing because I have been unemployed for awhile and my hubby has been supporting both mine and his habit for a long time. I feel like I use him sometimes for the cigarettes so that's my biggest reason to quit smoking because I'm realizing I've been greedy and not thinking about all the cash we could of been saving. I live in California and cigarettes over here are a good $5.50- $6.00 since the tax went up. I've got a few left, after those are gone I'm sure I wont have any tomorrow. I smoke half a pack to a pack a day depending on my mood and my stress level. Which is high right now because of the poor employment rate in california. Also, I do not have a doctor at the moment so any kind of over the counter stuff I would love to hear your experiences with.

[kathyjo]

Hi Ashley,
thats a tough situation but you can do it despite the other smokers. Mommy.... suggestion is the only way you will suceed in your quit. You have to make them go outdoors to smoke and if you can, the best thing to do is paint your place. This way you don't have to be around the stale smell.
Also, you might want to check to see what smoking does to sperm. I'm thinking it can't be good so it might be best if both of you quit together. If not, he has to go outside ; )

I also second whyquitdotcom as a fantastic way to support your quit as well as posting here.
Good luck to you Ashley and we are here for you : )

[mommyoftwoboys75]

Hi Ashley, its good that you are deciding to quit, did you set a date yet?  What I can tell you first is, don't use others who smoke as an excuse not to quit.  I did that too for a long time until people put it in perspective for me.  If you are going to quit, you need to tell EVERYONE you know especially those that smoke, that you are quitting and you would appreciate it if they would not smoke around or in front of you.  If your hubby smokes in the house, make him smoke outside.  Quitting smoking is a huge step and its not an easy one.  I used to say also that I smoked because of stress but the stress is gunna be there whether you smoke or not.  Start planning your days now around not smoking.  I just quit cold turkey 4 days ago, I have slipped a couple times, but haven't bought any or started again, I smoked a pack a day for over 20 years.  Cold turkey is the best  way although it may be a little tougher, but if you are serious about quitting and you really want to, you can do it.  The ladies here are wonderful and give excellent advice.  When I first posted on here the ladies recommended a site for me to view, it gives excellent tips and reasons to stop smoking.  Its whyquitdotcom visit that sight for support also.
Good luck to you, you can do it, take it one day at a time.

I have quit for 4 Days, 11 hours, 6 minutes and 50 seconds (4 days). I have saved $22.98 by not smoking 89 cigarettes. I have saved 7 hours and 25 minutes of my life. My Quit Date: 3/19/2009 8:30 PM