[misskrome]

I did meth a few times in 2006 (smoked only) and got off of it with surprising ease later that same year. Never touched it again but my GOD I can't quit nicotine. I've tried everything: Patches, gum, e-cigs, cold turkey and tapering off by reducing amount (only smoking as little as I can and only when I couldn't take the craving anymore). The only method that actually worked was cold-turkey. I went through dozens of packs of chewing gum, stayed home, drank water non-stop and kept my hands busy with my 360 for a week and somehow managed to do it! Then, a smoker moved in with me. No, she didn't put a gun to my head. She even smoked outside and tried not to have her cigs around me but, well, one thing led to another. "Lemme have just one". My fault. They just smelled so good in the carport mixed with the fresh air and, well, I was hooked again. Right now, I'm smoking Swisher BLK cherry cigarillos. They smell much better than cigarettes but are still cigar-stinky. I want to cold turkey again but, with my emotional and hormone issues, Imma keel someone if I don't have my fix. Not really enthusiastic about putting myself through the withdrawal and homicidal thoughts. I am not supposed to take Chantix or anything like that because of my bipolar and severe mood swings. I'm SO tired of the smell, coughing up brown goo and feeling all-around stinky. The worst part is waking up with that tightness in my chest. It feels miserable. I remember, when I quit last time, how wonderful I felt after three months. I want that, again. Does anyone have anymore creative tips that I can try? I'm actually allergic to PG vapes and am really tired of fooling with the tank. The little cartridge e-cigs are only 16-18mg and I need 24mg or I will just puff and puff all day. Plus, they are so expensive. I honestly don't want to fool with e-cigs, either. I just want to be done with the nicotine chemical for good.

[gayleggg]

I'm sorry you are having so much trouble quitting. I believe it is one of the hardest things I've ever done, however, the patch worked for me. That and playing my GameBoy full time. I don't really have any other ideas, since you've tried so many already. I have done what you have done and started back several times after quitting but I had my last May, 1993 and am ever so happy I did. I watched my mother die of COPD to which smoking was a big part of the cause. She quit but too late. Keep trying you will find your own way and you will be free again. Good luck to you.

[H3rmit]

>Does anyone have anymore creative tips that I can try?

I have never smoked, but have seen most people in my family struggle with it repeatedly. I found the hypnosis book and audio of Paul McKenna helpful for changing patterns in life and seeing things in a new way. It lifted a lifelong burden for me. I see he has one on quitting smoking, too. Your public library should have it, so you can try it for free. Ignore the 5% of his advice that is cheesy and focus on what is meaningful to you would be my suggestion.

As he says, cravings are just conditioned responses or learned behaviours. You can unlearn them, and he can help with that.

[vans1974]

Originally Posted by misskrome

I did meth a few times in 2006 (smoked only) and got off of it with surprising ease later that same year. Never touched it again but my GOD I can't quit nicotine. I've tried everything: Patches, gum, e-cigs, cold turkey and tapering off by reducing amount (only smoking as little as I can and only when I couldn't take the craving anymore). The only method that actually worked was cold-turkey. I went through dozens of packs of chewing gum, stayed home, drank water non-stop and kept my hands busy with my 360 for a week and somehow managed to do it! Then, a smoker moved in with me. No, she didn't put a gun to my head. She even smoked outside and tried not to have her cigs around me but, well, one thing led to another. "Lemme have just one". My fault. They just smelled so good in the carport mixed with the fresh air and, well, I was hooked again. Right now, I'm smoking Swisher BLK cherry cigarillos. They smell much better than cigarettes but are still cigar-stinky. I want to cold turkey again but, with my emotional and hormone issues, Imma keel someone if I don't have my fix. Not really enthusiastic about putting myself through the withdrawal and homicidal thoughts. I am not supposed to take Chantix or anything like that because of my bipolar and severe mood swings. I'm SO tired of the smell, coughing up brown goo and feeling all-around stinky. The worst part is waking up with that tightness in my chest. It feels miserable. I remember, when I quit last time, how wonderful I felt after three months. I want that, again. Does anyone have anymore creative tips that I can try? I'm actually allergic to PG vapes and am really tired of fooling with the tank. The little cartridge e-cigs are only 16-18mg and I need 24mg or I will just puff and puff all day. Plus, they are so expensive. I honestly don't want to fool with e-cigs, either. I just want to be done with the nicotine chemical for good.

Sorry to hear! I've heard Zyban helps...best of luck!

[misskrome]

Originally Posted by H3rmit

>Does anyone have anymore creative tips that I can try?

I have never smoked, but have seen most people in my family struggle with it repeatedly. I found the hypnosis book and audio of Paul McKenna helpful for changing patterns in life and seeing things in a new way. It lifted a lifelong burden for me. I see he has one on quitting smoking, too. Your public library should have it, so you can try it for free. Ignore the 5% of his advice that is cheesy and focus on what is meaningful to you would be my suggestion.

As he says, cravings are just conditioned responses or learned behaviours. You can unlearn them, and he can help with that.

Even with professional help, hypnosis didn't work (it was for something else, actually). The specialist couldn't even get me into the state of mind to begin with. It was a huge waste of money but appreciate the advice.

[notz]

Nicotine is highly addictive. I've read that it stimulates the same part of the brain as cocaine does.

I'm an alcoholic and I won't lie, stopping smoking was harder than stopping drinking. Later this month it'll be 16 years since my last cigarette. I'm very proud and happy that I remain smoke free!

I read everything I could get my hands on about stopping, set a target date and started my trek. I used the patch and went to lower milligram straight away. The patch took care of my physical cravings and gave me time to deal with the more mental things. Things like how do I drive a car without smoking? I never had, I was smoking by the time I got my drivers license. I depended upon a straw, cut to cigarette link to occupy my fingers. I also did a lot of things I used to never smoke while doing. I took a lot of showers and I brushed my teeth a lot!!!

There's a lot of things that will help. One of them is post here and do it often!

Good luck! You can do this!!

[archipelago]

I'm quitting too and it is hard. One thing about nicotine is that although it gets out of your body pretty fast, you have built up receptors in your brain and those take longer. That's why it is so difficult. I'm using the patch. And soon I'm going to start taking Wellbutrin for an unrelated depression, but it has effects on nicotine receptors so I'm hoping that I can go off the patch with that.

It may sound silly but the thing that I wanted was that hand to mouth and sucking action. So I bought some straws. Someone here suggested that. And I just played with them at home so that I didn't feel tempted.

But it is a hard addiction to beat. It's cruel really that the companies manufacture a product that kills and is so addictive. I have a friend who quit a long time ago and now has lung cancer. That got me motivated to make the last push. I had been trying anyway and just occasionally cheating. Her news made me realize that if I didn't do it now I would end up sick and perhaps die. That lit a fire under my butt to make this a priority.

I also packed my frig with healthy foods. Lots of veggies and salads. So I could munch without going to junk. I'm taking lots of vitamins and drinking more. I do rely on my sedatives if I get tied in a knot, I admit. But I figure it is just a temporary thing until I'm finally off the nicotine for good.

[avlady]

yes,it is hard to stop. im on e ciggs, i tried everything else, gum, patch, lozenges. i wish i could quit the e ciggs too but i need that nicotine, i think it mixes with my meds and does make me through the day. sooner hopefully i'll be off the e ciggs too.

[reesecups]

I was able to quit on June 27, 1999. It was the second time I had quit. I used Wellbutrin and the patch. But also, I fractured my leg big time and was in the hospital for three days. Too much effort to go outside to smoke, so that was the way I was able to quit the second time.

Both times I quit, it was cold turkey. The first time was before there were any aids. Hardest thing I ever did, but well worth it. Keep your hands busy, use the straws for the oral and hand fixation. Someone mentioned the drinking water and healthy food which is a good idea.

I had a relative quit, in his fifties, for the first time in his life, with Chantix. But he had to stop because he had had a kidney transplant it had effected the kidney somehow.

You can do it. And even if you only have a day or two under your belt, just consider that each time you go back to it, it makes it that much tougher to quit. One day at a time! Sometimes one moment at a time. Keep yourself busy, vary your routine.

Good luck!

[misskrome]

Thank you all for your help. I'm failing miserably right now because my GAD is out of control. Nurses at the intake appointment witnessed that during a fire drill. Oops. Eh. Yeah, full-blown panic attack. Wish I could return to taking Wellbutrin. It helped a little but gave me inner ear difficulties and hallucinations. Doc said Chantix was out of the question because of my rage attacks and BPD. We're all in the process of trying to find a drug that, first, I haven't tried and, second, that will help me control my anxiety better. Once I get that taken care of then it will be easier for me to quit. Honestly, I knew that I needed to be hospitalized again but hospital environments terrify me. Home, in my dark, comfy room, isolated is the only place where I feel comfortable. Yeah, that's a whole 'nother (sorry) can of worms. We're going to get this straightened out. It has happened so many times that I've become a pro at seeking out proper treatment and going through the proper channels. I mentioned to the doc that I really really want to quit smoking and the center has a program for smokers to help them quit. Now I just have to wait until my next appointment, which is a few weeks from now.

[987catjump]

I agree..worst drug ever! I have quit so many times I have lost count I am 24 hours and counting...I want to beat this.