help me! I want to quit smoking, but its been such a habit for me to hold a cigarret in my hand.

[Nick82]

its like second nature for me now, but i don't want to anymore. are there any natural ways to quit, like a detour that i could use, alternative to stop? i know i cannot do "cold turkey" tried it, just couldn't after the first week. nicorette gum doesn't help, and it is expensive.

[Jade59]

Thank you for that link.  I just viewed it and.....oh my.....I can hardly type through my tears.  

Big congrats on your own quit!!  

Been smoking for 35yrs with one failed quit in 07.  The scary thing is, after seeing those photos and reading, my first thought is "Oh those poor people" not "This could be me"  

I'm thinking I must be in extreme denial.  Now, I'm going to sit here and think about what I just wrote....

[Alleykatt34]

Ok it was on the same website..duh..anyway here's the direct link. I cried so hard when I read this and everytime I read it.  Its just so sad!

http://whyquit.com/whyquit/BryanLeeCurtis.html

[Alleykatt34]

Thank you very much!  It took alot  of tries but it did work.  I also reccommend the website you mentioned.  There is also a story about a man, Bryan who was actually only 34 when his lung cancer took his life.  I'll did around and see if I can find it.  Its an eye opener!!

Alley

[kathyjo]

Congrats to you Alleykatt. I have heard a lot about Allen Carr's book and know that it has helped many. Educating yourself along with determination and willpower are the best way to go as you have proven! Good job : )

Kathy Jo

[Alleykatt34]

I haven't really read the other replies, I just know from my own experience.  I have been smoke free for over a year now.  I quit a million times only to go back to smoking.  This time I was determined..had Chantix was going to do it.  Then the Chantix made me sick. Hopefully you can get it free in your state, here I couldn't. I tried the lozenge and that made me even more sick.  I had thought of all the times I had tried cold turkey and the thought made me physically ill.  Then one day Feb. 4, 2008 I woke up with half a pack of smokes in my possession.  I took that pack of cigs and slowly tore them up and FLUSH!!  Havent had a smoke since.  I won't lie and say its easy, but its not that hard when you are really ready to quit.  I looked at the pics and am assuming that is your daughter. She is beautiful.  I always (in the past) would say I am quitting for my children...then it turned to I am quitting for ME!!  I also read some of Allen Carrs quit smoking book.  

Good luck to you!

[Jade59]

Hi Nick,

I'm glad you're thinking of quitting.  There is also the lozenge.  It's not bad at all.  Please don't talk about expense because really, if you're a pack a day smoker then you're already spending around $150 a month.  The aids DO work, but not if you're not completely convinced it's your time to quit.    

You said "I know I can not do "cold turkey", but Nick you DID it.  Nicotine is only in your system for 72hrs, then it's all mental.  So.....even if you use an aid, the time will come when that aid has to go.  Then what?    

If I were you, I would go through this forum and read Kathy Jo's replys as she is a huge inspiration to all of us.  I think you would be doing yourself a favor.  

Best of luck to you!

[elwoodsf]

I didn't think I could quit smoking either and I have. In addition to all the great suggestions in the previous posts this is what helped me the most:

What is your motivation to quit? Why do you want to quit? My motivation to quit was not just "because", I had a valid reason because I was ready.

I wish quitting was something that could magically stop but it is not.

I wish you the best and keep hanging around here for support. We need you too.

[kathyjo]

There is an excellent website: whyquitdotcom
It is pro cold turkey but if you chose another method the articles will still help you tremendously.
Everyone is different and what works for some, may not work for you. The gum is a bad choice in my opinion. To many people are still chewing it even though they quit years ago. I think that with the gum you are just trading addictions.
The patch is what most people use. Depending on where you live you may be able to get it for free. Here in NYC they do. I quit with chantix....it is very expensive and most insurances do not cover it (app. $120. mthly).
Whatever your choice, Techno 55 is right....you have to want it badly. You have to know that you, like everyone else is going to have to deal with withdrawals. It's not easy, but it is do-able. I smoked 38 years and I did it! After the first 72 hours you will need to re-learn how to do everything without the smokes. I think the "rituals" were the hardest. Coffee minus cig, driving without a smoke, chatting on the phone, drinks with smoking friends.......you have to prepare yourself for the battle of your life, but, you can do it, so many of us did it and we are no different then you : )
Everyone has stress/anxiety/panic, as did/do I and I find that it has lessened drastically now that I have quit.
"Just do it" to borrow a line from Nike'
Good luck and remember that we are here for you. Support is key!

[Techno55]

Listen...you say you want to quit, but I don't think you do.  Because if you wanted to quit, that's all there is to it.  Not smoking a cigarette instead of smoking a cigarette.  No detour, or nicotine gum, or patch or anything like that will help you quit until you decide never to smoke another cigarette again.  And I know that might sound a little rough and I don't mean to be a jerk but it's the truth, and I know because I quit myself after many attempts using the same mindset you have right now.

Good luck