How did you quit Smoking cigarettes?

Deafeatist talk, think positive, I have never craved since the day I stopped, even those 3 occasions without inhaling I wasn't tempted, in fact I didn't like the taste in my mouth at all. You need to do something really horrible and remember that forever.

 

Defeatist? Hardly. More like realistic. We can't all be as perfect as you think you are. When do you walk on water?

 

in my dreams where i can still chain smoke reds

 

It was not as expensive back then.
For 3 bucks I could get a pack of butts, a six pack and a couple gallons of gas.
I was set for the night.

 

We all have our weaknesses. It’s the effort, the resistance, that builds strength and character. If everything is effortless, how can you ever hope to improve?

 

Damnation, I was hoping you wouldn't mention that. But if you must, it's out there now, every morning before breakfast.

 

Well, for me there were a couple of factors. First, my mom ended up in the hospital (nearly died), and I was visiting here a lot. We both smoked, so we both quit right at the same time. By then, hospitals had banned smoking.

Also, I was getting tired of paying $1/pack; thought it was getting too expensive......

 

Tried cold turkey and all of that stuff. I was a 3 pack a day smoker for 26 years. I always thought that accupunture was kind of like the Twighlight Zone - but it worked for me . On a Thursday , I was a smoker. On a Friday after accupuncture - I was a non smoker. Can't explain it. Desire just vanished. Smoke free for 23 years. Weird- subconciously I still reach for my pocket sometimes even though I have absolutely no desire.

 

I finally quit after trying soo many times to quit that i quit trying to quit.

Let that above statement roll around the old noggn' for a bit. Never quit trying to quit.

As others have succinctly pointed out, there is no one strategy only whatever works for you. I smoked and chewed sometimes at the same time. Tried the patch and found myself lighting up regardless. I needed to avoid those situations that made me want to smoke. Drinking with friends, bow hunting and going outside for breaks for a bit. Personally i had the urge hard for six months and instead of purchasing a pack of cigarettes in a moment of weakness the gas station had nicorette gum behind the counter and i would pack that under my lip like a chaw and that got me the rest of the way.

It was a solid 9 months before ALL temptation left for me. Smoker/Chewer for 17 years.
Around the one year mark i'd start going outside with my old crew on break and one ######## was trying to lure me back as no one really quits... in his mind. I took a puff off a Marlboro Light he gave me and exclaimed, yep! Reminds me of starting smoking when i was a kid. WTF was i thinking? My breath, clothes and fingers stink now and it tastes like crap.

Keep trying even if it kills you