Give Up Smoking or Die Trying
Discussion
schmalex said:
It was a local hypnotherapist here in Newbury. I just did a Google search, came across this site (http://www.hypnotherapy-directory.org.uk/) and picked the practitioner that "felt right".
Dear god, there's thousands of 'em! I want to give something new a go, but driving to work I also hear an advert along the lines of "become a fully qualified hynotherapist at Gimp's College in just 3 months". Maybe I should do the course myself and self-treat. I'm giving the e-cigs a go again. Will be 3 years since I started the thread come Christmas and I'm still a mug.
I think because I regularly do anything between 3 days and a week cold turkey, my brain convinces me I'm in control - which clearly I'm not. Longest in last 8 months or so was 2 weeks on holiday in the summer.
Having previously stopped for 8 years I've been back smoking for 10!
I saw a link to some kit on the e-cig thread yesterday which I bought - but ever impatient, I then went to the shop and bought some fancy new gear as well.
Less than perfect, but needed to try something different
I think because I regularly do anything between 3 days and a week cold turkey, my brain convinces me I'm in control - which clearly I'm not. Longest in last 8 months or so was 2 weeks on holiday in the summer.
Having previously stopped for 8 years I've been back smoking for 10!
I saw a link to some kit on the e-cig thread yesterday which I bought - but ever impatient, I then went to the shop and bought some fancy new gear as well.
Less than perfect, but needed to try something different
Appreciate the comments and well done to those who have quit. I'm struggling a bit in the cold turkey department. I think I 'prove' to myself I can go beyond the 72 hours and then start again because I can rinse and repeat. I was also in that very bad place where I was enjoying smoking (or so my brain would have me believe).
Thought I'd try the vaping for a few days (24 hours in!) and then perhaps go cold turkey (but no firm plan in place) then if I'm struggling, at least the vape-thing will become the go-to remedy.
Not quite sure how it'll pan out, but having tried most things several times over, a change of approach was required.
Thought I'd try the vaping for a few days (24 hours in!) and then perhaps go cold turkey (but no firm plan in place) then if I'm struggling, at least the vape-thing will become the go-to remedy.
Not quite sure how it'll pan out, but having tried most things several times over, a change of approach was required.
Terribly weak willed OP here. 2015 was a very smokey year, but I was conscious that something needed to be done. One problem I had is I can go a week without smoking (as long as there's a pack available apparently), but as soon as I realised I've not smoked, I fancy a cigarette.
So, no vaping, chews or owt, just cold turkey and it's only day 3. Very different to when I inadvertently don't smoke, as I built up to it, ceremoniously soaked and broke any left over beyond my midnight deadline. I've spent the last two days surrounded by extended family which is close to hell on earth for me (period includes my wife's granddad popping his clogs), but pretty chilled thus far (in fact, as has happened before, writing on here is giving me the first proper craving).
If you're hopeless like me, please don't stop trying to get off them. I've tried pretty much everything and if one thing, me or one of the other guys on here does helps you, then it's a worthwhile thread.
So, no vaping, chews or owt, just cold turkey and it's only day 3. Very different to when I inadvertently don't smoke, as I built up to it, ceremoniously soaked and broke any left over beyond my midnight deadline. I've spent the last two days surrounded by extended family which is close to hell on earth for me (period includes my wife's granddad popping his clogs), but pretty chilled thus far (in fact, as has happened before, writing on here is giving me the first proper craving).
If you're hopeless like me, please don't stop trying to get off them. I've tried pretty much everything and if one thing, me or one of the other guys on here does helps you, then it's a worthwhile thread.
schmalex said:
OP. You're not a million miles from me in Newbury. Why don't you invest £150 (refundable) in the hypnotherapist I visited. I've recommended him to about a dozen locals in my village pub and he's got all but two off the weed permanently. It's not even weird "you are feeling sleepy" hypnotherapy. You just kind of have a chat with him and walk out an hour later a complete non smoker!
PM me if you want his details...
Cheers, hopefully won't be needing it. Day 3 is in the bag (home now and never have smoked at home). This evening was the worst craving of the three days (although not much really), yesterday met up with a couple of mates - both smokers, one supposedly giving up for new year. They were both smoking, didn't bother me at all. Today has been a quiet day, hardly seen anyone, certainly no smokers, but it's been strange. Had a niggle at the wife who promptly replied with "don't get the hump with me just because you're not smoking" she knows me too well. PM me if you want his details...
I'm at the stage where I know I'd be gutted with myself if I smoked again, but it's familiar territory. Baby steps!
Well, a battle as always here. It'll be 3 weeks on Monday night since my last smoke and it came about in bizarre circumstances. In the co-op shop in the village buying smokes and the young lad on the till commented how expensive it was to smoke these days. "These are nearly £10 and these already are" etc. I don't think he cared either way, was just making an observation. Of course we all know it's stupidly expensive, we all know all the bad stuff, but to hear it face to face from a fresh-faced kid in the shop was met with a "you're right, put them back". They're still making money as I must have put on a stone since I packed up, but that's an easier battle for another day. A friend and neighbour who only smoked one cigarette a day (in the morning with his coffee) has also packed up to show support.
Hasn't bothered me in the slightest since and last week I faced what would normally have been a tough test. My dog of nearly 14 years was taken ill and I took the horrible decision to have him put to sleep rather than put him under the knife to likely find bad news on the operating table. I was not smoking a few years back (probably in the thread somewhere) when he had major surgery and I turned straight to the smokes during the night of the operation. Tough few days, but only because I've lost my best friend, not because I've wanted to smoke to see me through it.
Hasn't bothered me in the slightest since and last week I faced what would normally have been a tough test. My dog of nearly 14 years was taken ill and I took the horrible decision to have him put to sleep rather than put him under the knife to likely find bad news on the operating table. I was not smoking a few years back (probably in the thread somewhere) when he had major surgery and I turned straight to the smokes during the night of the operation. Tough few days, but only because I've lost my best friend, not because I've wanted to smoke to see me through it.
Edited by 22 on Monday 15th August 00:10
8 weeks today. I'm now the size of a house and I either already had, or have developed a caffeine addiction, but those are (hopefully) easier battles for another day. I'm also randomly a bit grumpy with the wife, but she is an idiot and it's probably related to my two new side effects.
Had a couple of days where I half fancied a smoke, mostly out of curiosity, but hasn't really bothered me for the most part.
Had a couple of days where I half fancied a smoke, mostly out of curiosity, but hasn't really bothered me for the most part.
Good work. I have no idea when I stopped now. I refer to this thread to work it out, and I'm hoping this is a good sign that it doesn't really matter when it was as I've got my head around it this time. I guess it's knocking on for 5 months (which have gone insanely quick).
Was at A&E yesterday and a stunning young lady popped outside for a smoke. Previously I would have dashed outside to join her as an excuse to strike up a conversation, but I managed to convince my brain to think "what a shame such a lovely young lady smokes"
Still could quite easily grab one (a smoke, not a random lady at a hospital), but I haven't thus far (well, not this time round, the thread has been a battle over a longer period).
Was at A&E yesterday and a stunning young lady popped outside for a smoke. Previously I would have dashed outside to join her as an excuse to strike up a conversation, but I managed to convince my brain to think "what a shame such a lovely young lady smokes"
Still could quite easily grab one (a smoke, not a random lady at a hospital), but I haven't thus far (well, not this time round, the thread has been a battle over a longer period).
I also failed (standard) earlier this year, but I went back on the e-cigs rather than smoking. Desperate to not be one of the "look at me I vape" brigade, but (other than reduce the nicotine content to minimal) I've not really tried to get off them.
Still fancy a smoke, to the point where I'm thinking I'll smoke on summer holiday as a treat. Madness!
Still fancy a smoke, to the point where I'm thinking I'll smoke on summer holiday as a treat. Madness!
This thread is my only record of quitting (hopeless memory that I still blame champix for 
) looks like 25 July last year so coming up 10 months, although a few months on the electric gubbins. Honestly think this thread has helped by making me accountable to a bunch of random internet strangers, although took a few efforts over the years.
Never give up trying to quit.
) looks like 25 July last year so coming up 10 months, although a few months on the electric gubbins. Honestly think this thread has helped by making me accountable to a bunch of random internet strangers, although took a few efforts over the years. Never give up trying to quit.
Well done those who are off them, and keep trying those that aren't. Nearly a year for me.
As the op (with umpteen name changes) I was 'that guy' who'd tried everything, stumbled and fell, but got up, tried and tried again and eventually a completely bizarre Eureka moment (kid behind till, not really bothered, but commenting how expensive they were) made it stick.
Be the next me and we'll help you through.
As the op (with umpteen name changes) I was 'that guy' who'd tried everything, stumbled and fell, but got up, tried and tried again and eventually a completely bizarre Eureka moment (kid behind till, not really bothered, but commenting how expensive they were) made it stick.
Be the next me and we'll help you through.
In Cyprus for a few weeks (sadly coming to an end) and my friend here used to be a smoking buddy, then she was a vaper (and still is). 4 years for her in November and just over a year for me. I didn't bring my vape thing, but part of me intended to smoke while I was over here as a treat (yes, I know!!!), then use the vape if needed when I got home.
I've been buying big bottles of 0mg nicotine vape juice and squirting a teeny amount of a 'nicotine shot' in a big bottle (I think a whole bottle puts me at 3mg), so next to nothing in my vape. But have had nothing for a few weeks and pretty chilled.
Still fancy a smoke from time to time, maybe my battles aren't done, but right now it seems like I'm winning.
If you're another me, someone trying and trying again, this thread really can help. Most of us have been there and some will be again, it can be done, even if it takes umpteen efforts.
I've been buying big bottles of 0mg nicotine vape juice and squirting a teeny amount of a 'nicotine shot' in a big bottle (I think a whole bottle puts me at 3mg), so next to nothing in my vape. But have had nothing for a few weeks and pretty chilled.
Still fancy a smoke from time to time, maybe my battles aren't done, but right now it seems like I'm winning.
If you're another me, someone trying and trying again, this thread really can help. Most of us have been there and some will be again, it can be done, even if it takes umpteen efforts.
Keep on trying folks. I've no idea how long I've stopped for without looking back through the thread. I tried everything and in the end had a random Eureka moment. Glad I kept on trying different things (many of them several times over). I am the size of 3 moons, zero exercise and less fit than I was when I smoked and still fancy a smoke today; just pleased I have that choice (and choose not to).
Somehow I'm over 2 years (no idea on the actual date). I was 'that guy' who tried and tried and tried and failed and failed and failed. Eventually something stuck. Still fancy a smoke from time to time, I mean, how hard could it be to pack up again 
How are some of you guys getting on?
Never give up trying.
How are some of you guys getting on?
Never give up trying.
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