Hello all. I just got this app because I’m an addict and I need all the support I can get. I am 5 months sober from alcohol thanks to AA meetings and loads of prayer but I now want to stop smoking and this is a biggie for me. It seems harder because at the surface it is less harmful and destructive than my drinking days but I know deep down that it is a killer like any other addiction. I am really hoping for some support here because somehow I think this is going to be tougher than the booze…
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I quit smoking 135 days ago. For me it was tougher than quiting booze but it can be done. I used a vape but cold turkey is supposed to be very effective. Just find some snacks to keep busy first month or so.
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I packed it in for 10 years and always craved a cigarette. Started again, for 2 years. Started wheezing and coughing daily, went to a hypnotist and haven’t had one or craved one in 15 years!
The only thing with hypnotism is that you REALLY have to want to give up or it won’t work.
As to the danger, years ago, after I’d left my ex and a mate of mine got divorced, we rented a flat for a couple of years. He started coughing and getting short of breath. Left it. Went to A&E 4 years ago as it had got worse. He died within 10 days. The cancer in his lungs had spread to his liver and his spine. They filled him full of morphine and he died.
Don’t underestimate it Bronwyn, it’s just as evil as the booze!
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I quit smoking 18 days ago and I did it cold turkey. The first week was horrible! I craved alcohol and wanted to relapse but the physical addiction passed within a week and it’s been smooth sailing since!
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I would always smoke out the back door or a window. I stopped cold turkey. What I did though was when a craving hit I would go and sit on the doorstep bit without the cig- instead I would take slow deep breaths for a couple minutes (same length as the cig breaks) I really felt that the time spent having the cig was as much about the ‘time-out’ moment as it was the cigarette. And when you think about it when you have a cigarette you concentrate more on your breathing. I also kept a remaining few in a packet in the house. Because in my smoker mind nothing made me want one more then the panic that there was none. So each craving you choose to ‘not have one just now’ by day 3 the physical crave subsides and you’ve started to change your thinking to ‘no thanks’ at each psychological twinge.
Well that’s what worked for me.
Any which way you will get twitchy, but it can be done.
Best of luck!
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I am on the QuitNow! app as well for smoking.
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I have quit 4 times. I’ve heard it can take a couple tries. My experience (YMMV, people have different needs):
-I used the patch, which I was against initially. But the great thing about it was that I could wear the patch and wean myself off cigarettes instead of stopping all at once completely. That helped me.
-I tried vaping prior to this instance, but ended up vaping more than I was smoking. It wasn’t a good fit for me.
-Being able to ride out nicotine cravings was key for me. Making myself wait it out and do something good for my body during that time (squats, push-ups) helped.
Good luck! It’s not easy and it may take a few tries. But you CAN do it!
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Hi all! This is all very helpful to me. I’m 20 days sober today. I do still smoke cigarettes. My goal is to get to a whole month sober then quit smoking. I’ve definitely been smoking more since I’ve stopped drinking. I really need to get myself something to do to keep me occupied lol. Thanks for these posts!
I have just used my vape. I don’t think I could go cold turkey because I’m addicted to the smoke blowing out of my mouth. Thank you so much for your support.
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So true. I worry about cancer everyday…
That is super cool. I think it will motivate me too😀
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Well done for wanting to quit alcohol. Take it easy on yourself with quitting smoking after a month of not drinking. Many people have told me to wait a year before I stop smoking but I don’t think my body will give me that Grace. I have abused it for too long…
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I quit smoking may 10, 2015. I used the patches for 2 weeks to break the habit and took my time outs (smoking time) by going outside for a couple of minutes. Breathing and looking at the sky or trees or whatever is beautiful. Now i am so happy not be nerveus to have only 3 left and it is not bedtime… 
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