To be scared of giving up smoking

[McNewPants2013]

I want to give up smoking, but I have failed many times.

Everytime I fail it really knocks my confidence and my self esteem.

I hate smoking, I feel guilty that the money I spend on smoking could be used to pay off debt or treat the kids. I am sick of smelling like smoke, wasting my break times by going out for a smoke.

I have tried everything to give up but a few bad days with my son my stress levels goes through the roof and I give in and buy another packet of cigarettes.

[pianodoodle]

I also recommend Allan Carr's books if you haven't tried them before.

It took me a few reads to really let it sink in and even when I stopped I kept the book with me for a while.

[IamChristmas]

This is a really old thread! How did you get on McNewPants?

[alcibie]

Google "quit smoking forum". Online support is fantastic, as is Alan Carr. I was like you, really scared of giving up, not sure I'd be able to or would ever not miss them. Nearly 2 years on, it's the best decision I ever made and once you get through the first weeks, there's nothing like the moment when you start to see and enjoy the benefits (be prepared for a lot of housecleaning though...I spent the first weeks tracking down smells that I could suddenly smell!!) You can do this:)

[squoosh]

Allen Carr worked like a charm for me. Stopping smoking isn't nearly as difficult as the propaganda machine (nicotine replacement industry) would have you believe. Worth a try before all other methods at least.

[bimbabirba]

I was on 30 a day and stopped with the book. Trouble is I also went up from a size 10 to 14 and I'm not shifting the extra weight without cigarettes suppose it's better to be overweight but a non smoker.

[fatlazymummy]

Op, I gave up 8 years ago, at age 45 . I was a heavy smoker who had made about 5 previous serious attempts (for as long as a year).
I used 24 hour patches, because otherwise I would have suffered from insomnia and a little depression. .
I did find it very hard for about 4 months, I wasn't happy at all. The turning point came when I was in my sister's house and she and my other sister smoked 2 fags each within half an hour. I felt sick for hours afterwards, but right then I started enjoying being a non smoker.
I can't tell you how happy I am that I quit.
There is nothing to be afraid of. Smoking is unnatural and when you quit you will be returning your body to how it is meant to be. Seriously, there is not one single good reason to smoke.
Best of luck. You can do it.

[fatlazymummy]

Just noticed this is an old thread ! Hope it worked for the Op.

[FurryDogMother]

I totally understand the fear. I was forced to stop smoking back in March when I worked out that I was spending the equivalent of our mortgage (which we were then in arrears with) on tobacco every month (I had a 30 a day, 40 year old habit). I lasted until lunchtime, when I remembered that I had an old disposable e-cig squirreled away (had bought it when flying). Well, that horrible supermarket e-cig changed my life! It worked to stop the worst of the cravings and I spent the next day or so researching e-cigs, ending up ordering an eGo twist and Kanger tank set-up - which I still use every day, although I now have various other devices (it's become a bit of a hobby!).

I was scared because I didn't think I could face every day craving a cigarette - I had no confidence in my ability to function without one. The future just looked miserable. With my personal vapourising system (otherwise known as the 'thingy' in this house), I do more than cope with no cigs, I actually enjoy vaping far more than I ever did smoking. I'm into mixing my own juice flavours now, and am gradually working downwards in nicotine strength. I suggest you go for something like 24mg or 18mg to start with - you'll need that nicotine kick - but I bet you surprise yourself with how easy it is to make the transition. I'm aiming to be nic free by June next year (my birthday), but not planning on giving up vaping. There's more to it than just nicotine - the flavours are really nice, and I'm on a low carb diet, so enjoy being able to vape stuff like lemon meringue pie, apple pie, chocolate donut [sic] and cappuccino with NO carbs - lol :)

All the benefits of cold turkey quitting are there with swapping to e-cigs - you lose the cough, cleaner teeth, nicer breath, you don't smell, you don't have the guilt about second hand smoke - and you can even get kits to match your clothes - I have blingy ones for the evening, different colour lanyards for wearing like necklaces, all sorts of stuff! MUCH more fun than smoking ever was!

Nowadays, I see my nicotine habit as akin to other people's coffee (caffeine) habits - just as they enthuse about various types of coffee and coffee machines, so do I about different flavours and equipment. Nicotine and caffeine are roughly equivalent in terms of addiction and negative effects, and now the former can be enjoyed without harming others it has - in my mind at least - ceased to be a morally questionable thing to enjoy. Best of luck in your quit!

[Rachel778]

It IS difficult .. I bought an e cig (Liquid) on Tuesday and have been good , however last night I might have overdone it (then again it could also be the menopause) . I had the e cig and right up to 4.00 that was it ,, then I had a roll up (a thin one mind) and another roll up about 7.00 , , Later that night i was so ill I thought Id die ,, seriously . My chest hurt, my stomach was cramping and I lost count the amount of times I was sick , up to the point it was bile coming out :( As I said though I don;t know if it was due to over doing it . . When you have smoked a very long time daily (in my case 27 years) it maybe is a shock to the system >? I don;t know but anybody who lapses from time to time don't beat yourself up over it , I don.t ..

[squoosh]

Honestly, the physical addiction to nicotine is tiny, so fannying around for months weaning yourself off nicotine is pointless really. The main addiction is mental, tackle that and you're home free.

[FergusSingsTheBlues]

I have to say, I was a passionate fagger, and even struggled to stay off them during each pregnancy (probably smoked a packet in 9 months)...I even bought a ten deck and hid it on my house for when I came home with the baby, I was that bad.

Then I went out for a drink with my sister (ex passionate fagger too). We sat in the rain cos I insisted. With all the other foooools. Thn half way through a fag a light switched on, and I thought " wtf am I doing?"

I haven't had a fag since, but I tell you, every day you go without one, slf esteem goes through the roof, I'm so proud of quitting I couldn't risk it even when pissed, nothing tastes as good as self esteem. So. I'd say, o e day at a time, one hour at a time if you have to.....don't tell anybody...just do it. Sieze the right moment nd run with it. I never thought I'd quit, if I can, you can.

[Beastofburden]

Really old thread but fascinating stories about eCigs, they do seem to be brilliant things.

[mignonette]

Ten years quit but thinking of getting an E Cig. damn things.

[Beastofburden]

Wrong direction, m ignonette :) I guess that was always a danger...

[mignonette]

I know Beast. I haven't bought one yet but I am so pissed off that i am tempted. It's because they do not smell or make me smell and are less intrusive-the reasons why I quit in the first place.

[ShakeRattleNRoll]

Use CHAMPIX it is the best thing invented since sliced bread and it makes stopping smoking easy

[squoosh]

I think Champix can have scary depressive side effects in some people.