Still working at attempt #9

I'm 24 and have been smoking since I was 16, I have tried to quit many times, the last attempt was the most successful, 3 months.  However, now I decided to quit again, but just can't do it.  I started a smoking cessaton group, plus I got the nicatrol inhalor.  I can't use it though, I have asthma and it hurts bad to inhale that little thing, thinking of trying to just have nicotine losengez and stop buying cigarettes.  Anyone have any other tips?

read this kids story...warning: the pictures are graphic...

http://www.brandoncarmichael.com/my_story.htm l

Hello.....today is day 13 ...no smokes.  I find that quitting is easy....it is the mental part to stay smoke free.......I seem to be having more of a problem now then the first day I quit......a drag for sure...

OMG that was a horrible story, but thanks for sharing, I just finished the last cigarette of the last pack I was going to buy.. two hours ago.

fluffy-

You can do ANYTHING you put your mind to. This may be one of the most difficult things you do in your life, but you are worth it.

Things I love about being smoke free:
-the smell of my shampoo
-I can run a mile without stopping
-I can walk up the stairs without weezing
-The $9 extra dollars a day in my pocket
-I don't have to stand in the hot/cold to get my fix
-No one hassles me about my habit

Those things that happened in that story may not happen to everyone, but they do happen. A man I work with only has 3 full fingers left because of his diabetes and smoking.

Everytime you want a cig you just have to remind yourself of what it's doing to your body... mutating cells... clogging arteries... yellowing your teeth/skin... giving you wrinkles... not worth it right?

I wish you the best of luck. I know if you really want this and really put your all into it you too can be smoke free!

Fluffy,

I'm 25 and I have athsma too.  In my experience, the best way to quit is to go cold turkey.  Pick the day in advance and allow yourself 3 days to be crabby and miserable -so try to start on the weekend or a time period when you know your stress level will be lower than normal.  The point is to detox. 

Your body needs to learn how to release glucose and adrenaline without nicotine, so any quit aid containing nicotine can be counter productive.  Drink tea or a glass of water every time you want a cigarette.  Celestial Seasons Tension Tamer is my favorite and my brother used it to quit.  Gum helps a bunch too. Some people use hard candy, but I'm not sure if excessive sugar is the best way to go.  Remember when you want to pull your hair out that cravings only last 15 minutes.  Wait it out - the feeling won't last forever!! 

Avoid smoky areas at all cost.  Try to stay away from your friends who smoke - don't go outside to hang out with them and get second-hand while they smoke.  Any contact with smoke can trigger you body to crave nicotine, so it will make you feel worse. 

Try to stay positive and focused on the reasons why you quit.  Think about how awesome your lungs will feel when you wake up in the morning because you are not hacking and wheezing and coughing up stuff.  Think about how much easier it will be to walk long distances and up the stairs.  Think about how great it is to not smell like smoke.  Think about how after a couple months you will be able to pay attention and learn more easily because your brain does not need nicotine to focus... etc. etc. 

Stay Strong and Best Wishes!

Hi everyone, I'm 25 and I have a pulmonary disease (early stage) already, I just found recently.  I want to quit but I cannot for some reason quit.  I read about bad things happening to others but for some reason I cannot let go.  When I go to smoke I get gag and I hate it but I have to.  Is there such thing as genetic addiction?  My grandfather died from having Emphysema, then it lead to Lung Cancer and I'm so scared this will happen to me.  I have no support group.  I live with people who smoke and all my friends smoke.  I've tried cold turkey, patches, gum, etc.  Not sure if Hypnosis is the next step?

I'll try that tea, thanks for all the tips  veggie Kristin.

Take some of the tips off of the board, I feel excited about them, and I totally get your not wanting to let go, I've wanted to really quit for like 4 years now, and I can't do it.  the attempts before that were play attemts I don't think i really wanted to quit, and that might why your clutching on so hard, one attempt I had tried to quit smoking, then I got a job at the Casino, and no they don't allow smoking in the admin part, but you could still smell it everywhere.  Maybe see if you and your friends or housemates can quit to gether.. or make a house rule of no smoking inside.  I haven't smoked in my place.  I also do believe in not so much genetic addiction, but if you come from a long line of smokers as we do, it may be harder for us to quit, just as it was more likely for us to start to begin with.  I was told by a man in my smoking cessation group not to waste my money on hypnosis, it only works for a couple of days then that's it your back to square one.  I think I am going to take VeggieKristin's advise and come up with really personal reasons I want to smoke, and concentrate on them.. Like for instance, I'd want to  have kids some time soon, do I really want to expose them to nicotine until I find out I"m PG?? NO.  things like that :D  WE CAN DO IT!!

I am 29 and have smoked since I was 17. I quit when I got pregnant for my son 10 years ago only to start up again after I had him. I have been smoke free for nearly 5 months. I took the prescription drug Chantix.  They say its not called a miracle pill but it honestly worked like one for me. The only problem I have had is I gained 25 pounds or so and honestly couldn't really afford to gain any. But those pills really worked. I have heard alot of mixed emotions about them I would say ask your doctor and see if maybe they are right for you.. Good Luck!!

yeah when it first came out, even before the commercials were out my Dr. gave me a Rx for it, it didn't sit well with me, I guess it lowers my ability to control my temper and I was hard to be around while on it.. Thanks though!!