I'm a veteran. I'm new here. I also have PTSD (for military sexual trauma), chronic fatigue syndrome, and other conditions. I've tried to quit smoking a few times with the patch, and each time I'll quit for about a month (sometimes only a week), and then some stressful event would put me back into smoking mode.

I want to be a non-smoker. I want it to stick for good next time.

But how?

I am now waiting to get an appointment with my primary care doctor to ask for the patches again, and to see if they offer a support group for smoking cessation. Before I can do anything else, I want to be smoke free for at least 3 months to know that I've kicked the habit, but I'm not sure if that's even realistic. 1 month isn't enough for me to return to stressful conditions.

I used smoking to self-medicate from panic attacks and anxiety. I'm afraid of getting the panic attacks back when under duress. Typically, when I've quit smoking, I've avoided all triggers and had a relatively calm space - mostly alone in my home.

But now, I'm curious about learning how to quit when under some stress.

Do any of you have any tips?

[Raindropvampire]

I would not quit until you have learned a few new coping techniques. IF you don't learn new ways to cope with stress you are setting yourself up for failure and that's not fair to you. There are things like meditation, self hypnosis, listening to music, going for a walk, lighting candles and dimming the lights etc...

On a side note my husband had great success with Chantix. Only thing that's ever worked for him BUT he didn't take it as long as he was supposed to. Then he wanted to "celebrate" two weeks cig free by smoking a cigarette. This has gone down in the history books as the worst decision he ever made His mother also used it to quit and within 5 days of starting it she never picked up another cigarette. Chantix did give them very vivid dreams and it's not good to take if you have certain MI so check with your doc if you want to go the Chantix way.

I quit by focusing on what I was gaining health wise. Here's the post I made about it: This helped me quit. Hoping it helps some of you too

Good luck to you

[nicoleflynn]

Hi, and thank you for your service. I am also a veteran (woman)....I have smoked for a very long time, and have decided the only way to quit is to go "cold turkey." I have the patches, but not sure I will use them. I got them free from my State...there is a number to call if you want to quit and want the patches.

[sarahsweets]

Hey @lillib
There is a support group that is based on some of the AA principles and it looks like the only face to face meeting in ID is in Caldwell but this link as info about the internet groups and meetings.
https://nicotine-anonymous.org/find-a-meeting.html

Originally Posted by lillib

I'm a veteran. I'm new here. I also have PTSD (for military sexual trauma), chronic fatigue syndrome, and other conditions. I've tried to quit smoking a few times with the patch, and each time I'll quit for about a month (sometimes only a week), and then some stressful event would put me back into smoking mode.

I want to be a non-smoker. I want it to stick for good next time.

But how?

I am now waiting to get an appointment with my primary care doctor to ask for the patches again, and to see if they offer a support group for smoking cessation. Before I can do anything else, I want to be smoke free for at least 3 months to know that I've kicked the habit, but I'm not sure if that's even realistic. 1 month isn't enough for me to return to stressful conditions.

I used smoking to self-medicate from panic attacks and anxiety. I'm afraid of getting the panic attacks back when under duress. Typically, when I've quit smoking, I've avoided all triggers and had a relatively calm space - mostly alone in my home.

But now, I'm curious about learning how to quit when under some stress.

Do any of you have any tips?

[Shoe]

I used the nicotine gum back when it first came out. You have to just bite into it a few times then put it under your bottom lip like chew. I had to quit drinking before I could try to stop smoking. Cigs and beer just seemed to go together for me. Keep the gum right where you would keep your cigs like your front shirt pocket. Then when you automatically reach for a cig the gum is there. The hardest time was when I first woke up in the morning because I always smoked a cig when I first woke up. So I would start out with a piece of gum and then a half hour later, when I had my first cup of coffee, I would slowly nibble on an oatmeal cookie.
Smoking is a oral habit so essentially I was trying to replace one habit with another. I would eat carrots, celery, nuts and crackers and such. Don't worry about gaining weight because it is normal to. Walk, run or bike; things that you really need your breath for.
Even with the gum and everything else I really had to put my mind to the commitment that this time I was going to quit. I know you stated that you have some psych problems, but I did and do too. Don't rationalize and look for excuses. Draw the line this time and say that by God this time I am going to ride it out and be free of this monkey.
I used the gum for about 6 months and slowly switched over to Trident. I couldn't go anywhere for a couple of year if I didn't have a pack of Trident in my shirt pocket, but I finally got that monkey off my back too :-)

Thank you all for your tips and advice. I will keep you posted on my progress. I am prepping for quitting but have not quit yet.

[Claire Jill]

What worked for me was vaping. I switched to vape 3 years ago and never looked back.

[Twilight1227]

I also want to quit smoking, Its a love hate relationship it seems like, I wish you all the best, I know you can do it, We all can, Just think of all your health benefits and the money you will save, I liked the Chewing Gum suggestion, I am going to try that myself