I QUIT SMOKING 36 YEARS AGO
I quit smoking 36 years ago and I am 71 years old now. It was the hardest thing I ever did in my life. Actually I quit about 17 times before I quit forever. I no longer want a cigarette and really cannot stand to be around anyone that does smoke.
For for years after I quit, it did not bother me at all. It's just in the last few years I have become intolerant to smoke.
The previous 17 times I quit smoking, I always wanted a cigarette just as bad no matter how long it was since I quit. But the last time I quit was forever and I never wanted one again. I used a method which I will call "brain-washing", for lack of a better term.
I always thought the busier I was, the more I smoked. Then one day while working at my desk, I noticed I was burning them, not smoking them. I was up to 2 packs per day at that time. When really busy, I would light one, get one puff, put it on the ashtray, then work-work-work, then get one last puff from it.
Actually when really busy, sometimes it would burn down and the last puff was never done before the cigarette went out. This started me to thinking. I always thought I was addicted to the nicotine. Maybe I could use this to quit smoking.
I was trying to plan a very complicated vacation at the time. So the next time I wanted to reach for a cigarette, I just started thinking about planning the vacation. Well that lasted about 12 seconds and I reached for another cigarette. But instead of lighting up, I started thinking again. And I did this over and over during the day, and the times between thinking about lighting up was getting longer and longer. By the end of the day, it was getting easier to make the switch and my brain was just making the switch almost automatically.
This carried over to the end of the next day and I had to make no conscience effort to make the switch. By the end of the third day, the "brainwash" was complete and I never craved another cigarette to this day. My wife smoked for one year after I quit, but it never bothered me. She finally quit cool-turkey but admitted to wanting one for many years afterwards.
Now I have told maybe 100 or more people this method to quit and I only know about 5 that actually tried it. All 5 never smoke again ! In the next module, I will discuss some more traditional ways to quite smoking.
CIGARETTES AND SMOKING CESSATION
Here are some tips to help you quit smoking. First and foremost, set a quit date and quit COMPLETELY on that day. To prepare for that day: Identify the times you are most likely to smoke. For example, do you tend to smoke when feeling stressed? When you are out at night with friends? While you are drinking coffee or alcohol? When you are bored? While you are driving?Keep a diary to help you determine such risky times. Record each time you have a cigarette, including time of day and what you are doing.
Make a plan about what you will do instead of smoking at those times when you are most likely to smoke. For example, drink tea instead of coffee -- tea may not trigger the desire for a cigarette. Or, take a walk when feeling stressed. Remove ashtrays and cigarettes from the car. Place pretzels or hard candies there instead. Pretend-smoke with a straw.
Let all of your friends, family, and co-workers know of your plan to stop smoking and your quit date. Just being aware that they know can be a helpful reminder and motivator.
Before your quit date, start reducing your cigarette use, including decreasing the number and strength of the cigarettes. However, DON'T do this simply to make your diary "look good!" Get rid of all of your cigarettes just before the quit date and clean out anything that smells like smoke, such as clothes and furniture.
TIPS ON QUITTING SMOKING
Here are other tips to help you quit smoking and stick to it. Enroll in a smoking cessation program (hospitals, health departments, community centers, and work sites often offer programs).Ask your health care provider for advice, including whether prescription medications are safe and appropriate for you. Find out about nicotine patches, gum, and sprays.
Try hypnosis -- it works for some people Try hypnosis -- it works for some people. Avoid smoke-filled settings and situations in which you are more likely to smoke. Exercise to relieve urges to smoke.
The American Cancer Society is an excellent resource for smokers who are trying to quit. Above all, don't get discouraged if you aren't able to quit smoking the first time. Nicotine addiction is a hard habit to break. Try something different next time.
This information was obtained from the National Library of Medicine.
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