New Here....

[Drew25]

Hi everyone,

I'm 25 and trying to quit smoking before it becomes a fixture in my adult life. It's really too bad that we begin smoking before we have a sense of our own mortality (at 16, who thinks seriously about consequences?), and before we can really look at the damaging behaviour in the context of our entire lives--not just within the social moment that seems so, so, important while it's happening.

I'm taking Zyban (been on it for a week), and my quit date is very soon (monday). I've gotta admit, the thought of quitting smoking really causes me anxiety--and it's not just the zyban (though it is causing some distress). Rather, I'm worried about coping day-to-day. It's hard to believe that a behaviour like smoking has such an impact on how we cope with our lives, and as we all know, becomes both a reward on the good days, and a coping strategy on the bad days.

Is it a cliche to say that I wish I'd never started?

Any tips, that anyone can offer is much appreciated. I've been searching the threads and finding good, realistic, practical advice from you guys--so thanks. Best of luck quitting for all who need it.

-D

[lonlion]

Good luck Drew, let me know what works, because I do plan on quitting too.
Diana

[historyteach]

Yea! I wish I never started too! LOL!
I know that same cliche! How about that! LOL!
hey, I wish you the best -- stop for you!
Shalom!

[wantsto]

It takes a lot of courage to quit something we love so much! X-mas this year will be 3 yrs for me, yahoo! Quitting smoking was horrible or hell like for 2 wks, then downhill for me. I was on Zyban, took quitting smoking classes, joined an online support group, and still needed the patches and tranquilizers (tran's for the first 3 days) to get by. One of the things that helped me the most was silly ole candy mints, another suggestion is to start whitening your teeth and using crest strips, you wouldn't smoke while using those. Be sure and keep straws with cotton in them around, or anything for that matter, to keep your hands busy, and of course water and exercise, running saved me, funny thing is, I used to run when I smoked, I have since quit running, I'm too weird! Anyway, good luck to you, and remember if you don't quit the first time out, it's just practice for when you do quit, don't beat yourself up!
Nancy

[stud0134]

hi drew25 this month I will have 1 year without a cig I didnt use anything but prayer. This what worked for me First, I prayed for god to help me quit 2nd, your craving will only last 2 minutes and really thats not long,3rd when you are haveing a craving suck on some candy and keep telling yourself that the craving will go away very soon.

I hope this will help, it gets easyer.I also kept telling myself that I didnt want to keep puting myself through this hell of trying to quit over and over, just do it this time and never again.well good luck and I'll keep you in my prayers ok.

[mooselips]

Hi Drew,
I quit August 22, which means I've been smoke-free for about, what, a month and a half.

You can do this. If you truly WANT to quit, you can do it.
I must tell you, this is my 4th try. (practice makes perfect.)


Starting the zyban is a great start, I'm using it too. I think it helps alot.
Drink alot of water, and start walking.

Let us know how you're doing. It's great that you want to quit. YOU CAN DO THIS!

hugs,

[Drew25]

Thanks for all the advice/support. I appreciate everything that will somehow make the process of quitting easier. If only starting to smoke was this difficult! No one would ever bother. Thanks again for your kind words.

-D