Breaking the addiction

[Kaimei]

I am trying to quit smoking. I've quit once before, for two years, so I know I can do it again. I'd really appreciate anyone's good vibes, positive energy, helpful advice, etc.

Thanks guys!

[Ildi]

Good vibes heading your way Kaimei. I can't give advice, I never smoked and my dad just quit cold turkey, but I can send you thoughts of strength and determination. Good luck! let us know how it goes.

[Carl]

Good Vibes coming your way!

Only advice I can provide really is slowly reduce your amount each day until you're down to zero?
My Step-Grandad he quit by every time he got to the point of needing a cigarette he would renact each process of smoking i.e putting the cigarette within his mouth as if to smoke but put a mint in his mouth as well then not light the cigarette but pretend to smoke it. He replaced each of his cigarettes during the day with this technique and he hasn't smoked since, he did this about 10-15 years ago I think..

Another thing I personally would suggest is to replace the time with another 'addiction' and I mean art or something lol not another bad thing haha!

[Kaimei]

Thanks you guys!

I'm using the patch for the nicotine replacement, since I don't respond well to Zyban or Chantix. And sunflower seeds, an old favorite of mine, for the hand-to-mouth thing. I'm also distracting myself by doing things that I can't smoke and do, like playing music, and meditation for positive reinforcement.

I will keep you guys posted. Should take about six weeks or so. *sigh* I'll probably end up chewing off my lovely fingernails, though.

[Revenant]

I smoked for 14 years and quit almost 3 years now.

Some tips during your attempt(it worked for me)
- avoid coffee
- avoid alcohol
- avoid friends who smoke
- drinks lots of water(detoxes your body and lessens the cravings)
- eat instead of smoking(replacement)
- throw away all your cigarettes
- empty and throw away your ashtrays

Recognize trigger moments such as smoking when you use a pc, smoke before and after dinner, when drinking coffee, waiting for a bus...these are all trigger moments when you highly likely want to smoke. Don't do it!
During times of stress: you don't need a cigarette to relax!

Some pitfalls I had, statements(excuses): Don't fall for them!!
''Life is boring without smoking''
''I need a cigarette to relax'' (cigarettes actually tense the body because they are toxic/poisonous)
''I may smoke 1 on parties''
''Only 1 cigarette/week or a day is ok with me''
''Life is less fun without cigarettes''

Benefits:
- no more yellow teeth and fingers because of smoking.
- no more stinking cloths
- you look healthier(I do! I gained 40 pounds also(I have perfect weight now))
- more money
- rooms where you used to smoke become more alive(energy wise)

Thoughts/believes that helped me to quit(not meant judgmental):
- ''Smokers are pathetic, they NEED cigarettes...I can do without''
- look at him...he sucks all that poisonous stuff into his body''
- ''every inhale I die more and begin to look like that grey stuff in an ashtray''
- ''Now I dont have to wonder anymore whether I stink like cigarette smoke or not when I sit next to someone in the bus...''
- ''My lungs will now become healthy again(and feel them becoming more healthy)''
- ''Do I really need cigarettes? no...''
- ''The fact I am no more dependent on cigarettes makes me very proud and happy''

Most important: visualize your goal at all times!(or as much as possible)

I hope that helps...good luck!

[Silentforce]

When my father quit smoking the last time, he put this quote up in his office. He looked at it every time he wanted a cigarette. He hasn't smoked in years.

"Some people believe holding on and hanging in there are signs of great strength. However, there are times when it takes much more strength to know when to let go and then do it." ~ Ann Landers

Good Luck!

[PracticalMystic]

I smoked over 25 years ago, then stopped by using positive affirmations. I also paid close attention (as smoking is often an unconscious activity) to what I was doing, focusing very strongly on the lighting of, inhaling/exhaling of the cigarette to the point that I thought wtf am I doing? I engaged my logical mind and senses acutely to the point I would want to put the dang thing out. Then about six years ago when I moved out of the country I started to play with very occasional light smoking again which I thought WOW, unbelievable given all the years I had not smoked....like an occasional celebratory cigar or a few cigarettes over many days until a half pack was gone, (husband occasional smoker too smoked the others)then no smoking until a few months later. hehe! However I stopped the cigs completely six months ago. If I want to I may choose to have only an occasional celebratory cigar...or not! It's up to me to choose. I think NOT.

Its truly a matter of developing a strong desire to stop - then make the CHOICE and enforce it with a COMMITMENT to stop! None of us are victims of anything, especially addiction. We are magnificent beings with spiritual powers to do what we Will. I did recently listen to a hypnotherapy recording and that helped heaps too!!!

I also learned many years ago that beneath addictions are specific unmet needs and also specific unconscious anxieties or unresolved feelings. So perhaps this is a time when you may choose to uncover some of these needs so you can amp up the quality of your self care to be more nurturing to yourself to meet more of your inner needs. Journaling often helps me to get out the nervous energies and to get in touch with what I am really feeling so I can take responsibility for my feelings and needs and do what I need to for myself. One other factor is that if you tend to hang around other smokers, you really need to develop strong will and/or good boundaries so that their smoking will have no effect upon you. Some people may need to take a break from those who smoke until their resolve and detox has progressed to be strong enough to withstand the temptations to smoke. Also positive affirmations here will help too. Vitamin C helps lots when detoxing.

I know you can stop smoking if you really want to!!!

Some free online resources which can assist and support you to stop smoking and also heal the pattern:

mp3 recording - A Free Spiritual Healing to Help People Quit Smoking and for Lung Cancer and Emphysema
You can save to your desktop: http://www.freespiritualhealing.com/HealingAddictions/quitsmoking.htm

Positive statements to repeat or as some refer to as positive affirmations to speak:
http://www.americanserviceco.com/nosmoke.html

WOW - This is powerful: I suggest saving this to desktop and viewing it daily if you are serious about stopping:
Stop Smoking in 3 Minutes!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGKbSO0fvVU&feature=related

Stop Smoking with EFT: (Emotional Freedom Technique) I have used EFT tons and it works!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVyEr1W_XPs

Another example of EFT technique woman working with practitioner:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZEFR73uL0eI

[being human]

thats some damn fine advice there...

one thing that may help with the oral fixation thing is instead of a smoke..
grab a tooth pick...
I know a cat that that worked with...
I need to stop asap..
I smoke a bit less now with the babes here and all
but I still feel like I cant go without...
I know its all in my head thought..

good luck yo..
Ill shoot a vibe or two your way