AndrewTraub answers:

Cravings are your body’s way of telling you that it wants the drug it’s addicted to. You’re going to have some cravings no matter what, because smoking has two seperate components – physical (the nicotine itself) and psychological (the act of smoking in response to external stimuli).

That being said… You’ve only smoked for 6 months. If you go the patch route, do not start with the 21 mg patch. Start with the 14mg patch. The 21 mg patch probably has more nicotine than you smoke in a day (unless you smoke more than a pack per day) and might only make you more addicted. You might even consider starting at the 7 mg (the smallest one), and see if that’s enough to take the edge off of your cravings.

The way the patch works is to break the link between the two different addictions. You’re getting the nicotine from the patch instead of a cigarette, so you don’t get the “I _need_ to smoke” feeling, and you have a better chance to break the “I’d _like_ to smoke right now” feeling. Once you break the “habit” part of smoking, then you scale down the level of nicotine.

Be aware that you probably will still feel some cravings at first, and also you might have cravings after you’re finished with the patch. Tough it out – after a week or so with no cigarettes and no patch, max, your body has zero nicotine and won’t crave it as much.

Good luck.

AndrewTraub answers:

Your friend has to help herself. She has to WANT to quit. After that it’s just mind over matter. Willpower.

I quit cold turkey, because I really was done smoking. The first 3 days were a little tough, but I chewed gum. That was 20 years ago. Think of all the money I’ve saved! My clothes and breath don’t stink! I feel SOOOO much better. No nasty coughing!!

If those aren’t reasons to quit, I don’t know what are! You sound like a really good friend, but it’s really up to her. Remind her that one day she’s gonna want to have a baby. When she’s pregnant she HAS to quit. Why not just do it now? It’s filthy and disgusting.

Maybe if she reads this she’ll quit. Here’s a message to your friend: WAKE UP!!!!!!! Lol

AndrewTraub answers:

I started on patches and that stupid plastic cigarette. The patches gave me bad vivid nightmares and the plastic doodah gave me an even worse chest. I threw the lot away and just ‘gave up’. Don’t even think about it now after a year and a half.

I recommend this product, it seriously changed my life. I was able to quit in one day. Not a lot of people even know about it… Its put together by a man named Matt Godson http://doiop.com/one-hour-quit

AndrewTraub answers:

For starters Congrats! I’m a pretty new ex-smoker after over 25 years and struggling though withdrawal but getting better.The method you are planning sounds good on paper,I have tried your method “giving up one habit for another”although your choice of exercise is a very healthy one but is a NO trade deal with smoking and depending on how long you have smoked and the amount of addiction,the rainy,lost my job days or any stresses what gets you back in touch with your old pal who really loves to make you broke and eventually sick but you will have to find the willpower to resist.Quit smoking NOW cold turkey “toss the pack,it’s the only true way” and never pick up another up regardless,nicotine replacements IMO are exactly what they are “nicotine”you want that chemical out your system and tapering does not work,.You will find exercise easy now still being young but each day you smoke exercise will become harder,I run the mile in 6:10 at your age and now just walking it is tough,jogging 1/4 mile is nearly impossible but I will do it with time.Start out slow with your exercise routine,eat well and get plenty of rest,it’s good to have a workout partner to keep you motivated or you may become pretty bored quick.Find out your max bench press,leg press,squat ect and work out at 20-25% of that for the first week and move up each week in weight as you feel comfortable “set a goal as well as your partner”,soon you will exceed your limits you started with and keep going,for me walking was the easy way to to start out in exercise instead of joining a gym.Best of luck, Don’t count the minutes,hours or days since your last cigarette only count the years

AndrewTraub answers:

I started when I was 16, but didn’t tell my parents until I was 18. Only my dad smokes, and he was fine with it. My mom however wasn’t. Even though she married a smoker, she didn’t want her daughters smoking.
I am 40 now, and she still has a problem with it. I just tell her to get over it. You still being 16 though, still need to listen to her though. Unfortunately, that’s how life goes. That’s why I waited until I was 18. The legal age.
Your dad doesn’t say a word, because he would seem like a hypocrite.
I’m guessing your older brothers are all over 18. That would make them legal adults. She can’t legally stop them. You she can.

AndrewTraub answers:

Been there,i had to do the patches 3 times over a 15 yr period. But this month sometime i will be smoke-free for 6 yrs. Good luck, hang in there — think of something else, meditate, deep breathing, soothing music, talk to another who is going through it too, pray for relief of the craving, and keep praying until it comes.If you’re married grab your hubby and ….. Well, you know.chew a piece of gum, know that this, too, shall pass.
Good luck my prayers and thoughts are with you.

AndrewTraub answers:

Stop little by little cuz my great grandma died from just immeditly stop smoking

AndrewTraub answers:

AA meetings. Wow, an alcoholic too, not good.

Maybe a local no smoking group will help, preferably one with more dogs so they will know what he is going through. Try to keep the drugs out of his reach, or hide them in a safe place. Has he resorted to stealing to pay for his habit? In this case you may need to get the police involved, its the only way he will learn.

Perhaps buy an electronic cigarette for him, I hear they are good.

AndrewTraub answers:

When I did it there was no help from meds. I tried about 10 times not successful. Then the day came that I found out I had Cancer I survived the cancer and also gave up smoking right then. You can /Will do it too

AndrewTraub answers:

Ok this is a method of quitting smoking that involves Neural Linguistic Programing – Basically this means we are going to alter the responses of your Hind-Brain [subconscious].
There is one major prerequisite for this: YOU MUST REALLY want to stop smoking – if you are only quitting because you are being pressured by family, peers etc it just wont work: YOU have to be the one who wants to stop!

1st – Pick a date and time a few weeks [3-4 weeks] ahead, when you know you will not be in a stressful situation, to be your QUIT day.
2nd – Switch to rolling your own cigarettes – normal pack cigarettes have some 23+ different chemicals that help ‘uptake’ nicotine into your brain.
You may find you initially want to smoke more ‘rollies’ because of this, but that will usually settle within 7 to 10 days.
3rd -As often as you can, from day one to Quit day, say aloud one or more of the following; I HATE CIGARETTES, Cigarettes taste revolting,
Cigarettes are destroying my health….add any other negatives that you personally react strongly too [ bad for baby, make holes in my clothes, burns on furniture, foul smell in house/car]. If you cannot say out loud [people might think you are crazy lol] then sub-vocalise as often as you can. Your ‘frontal’ brain will come back with such statements as …”you rotten liar, you love cigarettes”, but slowly over the 3-4 weeks, as you keep repeating those negatives, those responses will lessen as your hind brain becames reprogrammed.
4th -Try to reduce the number of smokes you have in a day, so that by the time you reach ‘Quit day” you are down to about 5 or less cigarette breaks a day. Also try to change when you smoke – eg after dinner, with a cup of tea, after breakfast – choose times when you would not normally smoke. Start to break your patterns. I found by the start of the fourth week I was starting to stub-out my cigarettes when they were about half way through.
5th -Purchase a nicotine replacement aid and start using it on your Quit-day… I found that the 4mg chewing gum was the best for me, as I could actually feel a slight buzz when I chewed, similar, though not as strong as when I smoked. There are patches, various tablets etc. Etc., available from pharmacies or from your doctor – don’t be afraid to use anything you think may help. Keep saying the negatives even after “Quit-day”.
6th -On about the 3-4th day after quitting start noticing how really rotten smokers smell!!!!!! Do you want to smell like that? EEK… Imagine sucking an ash-tray!!!! Thats what it used to be like when your partner/children/friends kissed you!!!!
7th -Treat yourself to something special – you deserve it!

It is now nearly 6 years since I stopped – I am still chewing the chewing gum, down to 2mg now and usually only 3 – 4 peices a day. My doctor and I and happy with that – you see I really am addicted to nicotine [which actually isn't ALL bad for you as long as you don't smoke the darn stuff], but I no longer crave ‘a smoke’. The on-going yuckiness of smelling people who smoke has been an added bonus in helping me quit – that smell really is so foul!.
Happy Quitting!!

AndrewTraub answers:

As someone who has Quit smoking, and quit smoking and quit smoking again and still smoking. I think you might like to search for the Reason that you actually smoke!

Search for the cause of your smoking
Write a list of why you smoke.

Mine reasons are stress, bored, stress, job, stress, I like to smoke, stress, lack of sleep, and of course stress, Alas I have not been able to reduce the amount of stress.

That sort of list although true for me, is not defined enough, So answer yourself why; each stress, why no sleep, why boredom, why the hell do I like to smoke?

Deal with each item fully on your own list,

As you dissolve each reason off of the list you should then gain the ability and the inner strength to be able to quit smoking properly, if that is what you REALLY want.

OK, so I have failed to quit totally, but the above and with support from others (pref a support of likewise quitting people) you should find it easier to stop and STAY stopped.

Oh last point , totally ignore the anti smoker, and those that over push the point, or you will end up as using their anti-smoking grudge as a reason/right for you to continue to smoke. ( sigh)

Bottom line is; only YOU have the right and ability to stop smoking or not.

Good luck!!!

AndrewTraub answers:

Your gonna gain a crap ton of weight

AndrewTraub answers:

Hypnosis or hypnotherapy can be used as a positive method to stop
smoking. Everyone has been talking about this method as the main
instrument to get smokers to stop their habit. Anyone who has quit
smoking, or is in the process of quitting, will tell you that it can
become rather difficult to do so. However, with the help of hypnotic
programs to stop smoking, the process can become a bit easier.
There are many programs available to stop smoking using hypnosis. One
so called course “10 Steps to Non-smoking” is a good example. This
program contains crafty and effective psychological approaches that
can help you overcome your nicotine cravings.
A number of therapists are also available for sessions on quitting
smoking. A consultation with a certified hypnotherapist will mostly
delve into some information on your reasons for quitting smoking.
These sessions generally include hypnosis therapy techniques as well
as suggestions and positive affirmations. You may also come away with
a CD that may be used to reinforce the suggestions made during that
session….

AndrewTraub answers:

Years ago, I had surgery in a hospital that allowed smoking outside which was like 50 feet from my room, a service entrance actually. Trouble was, I was immobile for the first 24 hours just recovering. Afterwards, smoking would have been too much of a hassle even if I wanted to, which, as it turned out, I didn’t at the time.
My feeling was that since I didn’t have the urge, now would be a pretty good time to quit, anyway. So I did. No smokes and I was on my way to smoke free.
Then.. A buddy of mine, brought me a ctn. Of smokes. Well, what do you get another guy in a situation like this? So there they were, in the drawer out of sight, across the rooom. I went home, with the ctn still unopened, and they stayed there not tempting me at all for a month or better. Then, one day, I decided I “wanted” a cigarette. I didn’t need it, I wanted it. So, I opened the carton, and a pack, and smoked one.
And then another, and another, well, so much for quitting.

Hypnotism works for some. Some folks have the propensity to be hypnotized, while others, simply can’t cross that barrier and are impossible to “go under”. I don’t think I can be hypnotized, but never experienced any real attempt.

AndrewTraub answers:

I have once when i was drinking to much i went to go and see one and i only have like 1pint a week now it DOES work!

AndrewTraub answers:

Yes, it is does for most of the population. I think it’s like 86% of the population that can be hypnotized. In my college psychology class we witness a girl going under and started crying and telling personal stuff bc of what the teacher was asking her and she woke up and never thought the hypnotizing ever began. My brother went under to stop smoking and he stopped for over 4 years. He plans on going back a 2nd time. Try acupuncture and meditation for chronic pain and HCG drug for weight loss. Though, I never tried these things I’ve just heard a lot about them.

AndrewTraub answers:

OMG nobody will ever understand how hard this is to quit unless they have smoked themselves.
So many friends that have never been smoking shrugged me off like I had some mental problem and they could never understand that when you are used to doing something for several years it is not that easy to just quit like that with a snap of your fingers.

After several years of smoking myself I tried everything, the patches, cold turkey, etc.
The only thing that seemed to work for me was the cigarrest program. Only because they have gum, tablets, ecigs, etc, and several other products. They have been around since the 80′s and I tried them 5 years ago and never picked up another cig since. They have a free offer to try it out and see if you like it. Here is the link if interested: http://tinyurl.com/quitsmokingfree

Good Luck and God Bless

AndrewTraub answers:

Depends on how bad you want to quit. I did it cold turkey over 30 years ago because I found it to be disgusting and expensive. BTW cigarettes were 30 cents a pack back then.

AndrewTraub answers:

Morning sickness will make it easier. Very soon, at 7 weeks or so, the very sight/smell of a cigarette will make you want to puke.

Until then, try to cut back as much as you can.

Chewing gum helps.

AndrewTraub answers:

I had some success with the nicotine patches, although I did wonder whether its just because you were afraid you’d be really sick if you smoke with a patch on, which is what they say will happen, so you dont…but it failed in the end I suppose, I was always a ‘need to smoke first thing in the morning’ person, so I’d get the overnight patches but they would give me weird dreams and hallucinations and made me really ill so I’d end up ripping them off, and then I’d know people who were smoking with the patch on and not getting sick etc so then you lose the fear of smoking. I ended up trying the herbal patches, even though I was skeptical, but they actually worked and unlike the other patches there was no nicotine in them. The best way to describe how they worked is you know how you really want a cigarette but for some reason you cant have one, like stuck at work or ran out etc so you get the anxiety and feel kinda angry I guess, well with the herbal patches when I thought about going out for a cigarette thats how I would feel, like the opposite effect, like the thought of smoking made me angry and like I really didnt want to and thats how I stopped…I suggest you try lots of things until you find something that works, I think its different for everyone..and dont worry if you keep failing because when you fail you remember next time what made you fail and you can avoid it, plus if you dont smoke for one day or two days or half a day then at least thats some time you’re body has to ween off the nicotine and it gets easier. I know people who had alot of success with the cut down method, just smoking one less cigarette every day or every couple of days until there wern’t many left. Its also good to avoid your usual smoking times and places, like when I was quitting I would be fine all day but after work everyone would meet in the garden outside for a smoke and a chat which I looked forward to, but I would just have to leave by a different exit and avoid it so that helps too.

AndrewTraub answers:

It all boils down to willpower. You have to REALLY want to give up, i smoked for 13 years and have been a non’ smoker now for nearly two years.

I didn’t use any aids such as nicotine patches or chewing gum as i didn’t want to become addicted to those!

I was really moody for the first few days, take one day at a time. They say the first three days are the hardest so once you have got over those it will gradually get easier

The cravings will be really strong but each craving only lasts about a minute, have a glass of water when you feel the urge to smoke then the craving should be gone by the time you’ve drank it. Don’t worry though because as the days go by the cravings will be few and far between.

Just keep telling yourself you are a non-smoker. Thank god for non smoking in public places, that should make one thing easier.

Good luck, You can do it, BE POSITIVE…

AndrewTraub answers:

Different things work better for different people-look for a smoking cessation clinic in your area-the American Lung Association can tell you or it may be in the yellow pages.
They are experts at determining what the most effective techniques will be for you in particular. Chantix IS a very effective medication but doesn’t work well for certain smokers-go to the pros for the best chance of success.
Good for you and good luck!

AndrewTraub answers:

Stop hanging out with people who would offer it to you…at least until you’re not interested in it anymore.

AndrewTraub answers:

I wanted to ask exactly the same question today!!
Goodluck to you!
I will be reading for advice too!
Sorry I can’t help!

AndrewTraub answers:

I stopped daily use back when I was 21. I got night sweats (my bed sheets were soaked) and insomnia, but that all passed in under a week. You might get cravings, but they are all in your head.

It’s harder to quit cigarettes than cannabis, so be tough for a few days and you’ll be laughing again. It really is very easy once you put your mind to it.

AndrewTraub answers:

Do yourself a favor and just stop now, you can still get all the side affects even though your in shape. The longer you do it the harder it is to stop. Trust me i have been “quiting” for a few years now.

AndrewTraub answers:

When i quit smoking I did a little research on different methods available. I did not choose zyban because of the side effects associated with it.

I used a natural remedy ‘Crave-RX’. It was excellent in reducing the nicotine craving and withdrawal symptoms.

People react differently to different treatments crave RX worked for me. You might try it since it has no side effects and is very effective. Good Luck!!

For further reading visit the following source.

AndrewTraub answers:

When I was taking Chantix, it wasn’t a good time to try and quit. I had just been hospitalized for pneumonia, and in addition to Chantix, I was prescribed prednizone. That stuff makes you eat everything in sight. I’m wanting to try Chantix again to see if I can really make it this time. By the way, the dreams were unbelievable!

AndrewTraub answers:

I know what you’re saying, I smoked for 20 years & tomorrow will be 3 weeks since I quit. Also cold turkey. I went to the store & bought some over the counter sleeping pills & that has helped alot.
I think you’re mind is still wanting that stick.

AndrewTraub answers:

You cant. Its their choice and you dont really have a right to make them stop if they dont want too. If they actually hurt you or something while drinking or high, then you should report it. Learn from their mistakes.

AndrewTraub answers:

Well, I would show him several sites that had information about how harmful smoking is for you. The Truth website would be a good place to start. If he feels like he really want’s to quit and become healthy again help him come up with a plan to rehabilitate himself or find a program he would not mind going to frequently. If all else fails…. Go to his parents. He might be mad at you but if he’s underage and illegally taking any form of tobacco and/or alcohol, his parents should be told. Good luck to you.

AndrewTraub answers:

You wont like the answer, but….
If you really want to quit those things than you have to get better friends… Its that simple
90 percent of the time you do those things because everyone else is doing them too.
All my friends used to drink all the time and smoke weed everyday, I am no longer friends with any of those people and It has been a couple years and now I am friends with one of those guys again because he is also living a clean and sober life and we go to the gym now and work out together. It is honestly way more fun being sober than it was being drunk and hung over all the time.
Focus more on making money starting a business and maintaining your relationships with family and sober friends. Your life will have a lot more meaning… My email is corporalchaos666@yahoo.ca if you wanna talk.

AndrewTraub answers:

After being a heavy smoker (2-3 packs a day for 12 years), I had my last cigarette 34 years ago.
My wife (who was also a smoker) was pregnant, and I was determined that my son-to-be would never see me smoke.
I attended the 7th Day Adventist 5-day Stop Smoking program (I was not a Adventist, but I respected their views on health). This was a seminar with videos etc in the evening.
I quit cold turkey after the 2d session.
Quitting made me realize what a powerful drug nicotine is. (I have a theory that the nicotine patches are backed by the tobacco companies—-they prolong the addiction to nicotine while the will-power wanes.)
I ate a tremendous amount of fresh fruit and handfuls of raisins (hello flatulence). For about 15 years I would have dreams that I would have a cigarette—and would be so disgusted with myself.
I did this despite a very stressful job (trial lawyer) and many of my friends/associates continued to smoke.

I am now a healthy 64 year old. My doctor recently told me that smoking is the single most damaging thing we can do to our bodies.

External aids such as pills, patches, herbs, etc aren’t going to provide a long-term cure. They are crutches.
You have to focus on a very important reason to quit forever (not just quit) and then focus your will-power.
Develop a very clear picture of yourself without stinky breath and stinky clothes, yellow teeth, etc.

Good luck.

AndrewTraub answers:

You have to really mean it…no matter how strong the urge is..Never give in or you always will give in and think “i will have just one….” my husband and i have had good success with the nicoderm patches (use the walmart brand they are a little cheaper)

AndrewTraub answers:

I quit cold turkey with no withdrawal as well. I just started getting grossed out by cigarettes and it motivated me to quit. I think what keeps smokers addicted is its a habit and they enjoy it but it isnt impossible to quit you just need will power

AndrewTraub answers:

Yes I suggest 2 things

1.Music

2.the website below

Trust me It will teach you stuff you do not learn in the gym

Good luck my friend

AndrewTraub answers:

Check out http://www.smoke-remedy.com
There’s a trial there if anyone needs a quick aid to help quit smoking easier. Hope this helps.

AndrewTraub answers:

It sure seems that her problems are enough, but they have to be enough for her. I stopped smoking 11 years ago this coming February. I also stopped cold turkey. I stopped because I wanted to since I could no longer afford to stop. On February 2nd, 11 years ago at midnight I had a half a pack of cigarettes left. I put them on my dresser in the bedroom. I took one day at a time, each day get’s a little easer, I would look at that half a pack of cigarettes every night, I would say one more day. After one month I through away the half a pack of cigarettes. I never looked back. One day at a time.

If you don’t have a good reason to stop smoking, or you really do not want to stop then you are not going to succeed. This is really something she needs to do her self. You can help her by praising her, but if you are going to blame your self if she fails or does something she should not do, then please do not get involved, It sounds like she has so many problems that she needs a professional helping her, because it is not easy to stop smoking once hooked, to this day I find my self driving a car down the road and reaching in my pocket for a smoke. Habits are hard to break. Again you need to want to stop badly, then you can. I don’t think you need a crutch.

AndrewTraub answers:

My Dr. Told me not to quit. Quitting causes stress and will harm the
baby. So I cut back to 5-7 a day. The result. 3 pregnancies, 3 big
and healthy babies. Between 8.11 lbs and 7.9 lbs. All because I listened to my Dr. His advice benefited my children.

AndrewTraub answers:

You are already doing exactly what you should, so keep it up. The best way to help your body to heal itself is eat healthy and exercise.

Because you are still very young your body will heal up just fine. Make sure you stay quit. The longer you smoke and the older you become that harder your body will find to heal itself.

Visit our site to join our inspirational 12 day e-course. You can also download our free book ’36 Powerful Superfoods’ to help fight weight gain and start mending damage caused by smoking. For more information and to post your opinion about the products you have tried, visit the following website.

Good Luck and Good Quitting