I need a SMOKE..

[FreeBird236]

i’m sitting in the hospital right now recovering from a heart attack I had on Saturday…had a stent put in yesterday to repair a blocked artery. Blood pressure was through the roof, etc…

I’m 43, smoke a pack a day for the last 25 years.

Haven’t had a smoke since I drove myself to the hospital Saturday night…craving was pretty brutal till after the stent procedure yesterday…now it’s almost not there.

You could try that lol.

Get well quick, we need your knowledge around here.

 

[Vamodsquad]

I quit smoking over 14 years ago. I used the Kojak / Telly Savalas method.
I went to Sam's warehouse and bought myself a big box of Tootsie Pop lollipops. Every time I would get a craving, I'd have a lollipop. For the times you'd get a craving where you may not be able to do that, I carried wintergreen Lifesavers in one pocket, and some of those Atomic Fireballs in my other pocket. It worked, because I don't smoke anymore !

 

[Eliminator21vdrive]

I did not read all responses but you have to find what works for "You" mine was the mints the patches gave me vivid off the charts dreams.

Hang in there, you can do it.

 

[badgas]

Break up your routine !

With any addiction, like food, booze, nicotine there is so much to the routine and cravings. I like what @regor said about doing push ups. Do what ever it takes. Jump in a cold shower, mediate , pray , workout. Everyone knows it will catch you eventually. I watched my grandpa struggle with emphysema in his late 60's early 70's and it sucked. My CPA passed away at 70 and battled lung cancer starting in his mid 60's he was a chain smoker.

I have heard many self help experts that recommend writing your own eulogy and read often while picturing your family there. If that does not give you motivation then nothing will.

I'm 55 and really feel like 65-70 is very young. When you are in your 20's and 30's you think it's never coming but it goes fast.

We are cheering for you !!

You can do it !!!!

 

[Gramps]

About 1990 I was at 1 1/2 paks a day. Did the hyponinis thing and never touched one since.

 

[endobear]

And there's your motivation. ^^^^^

Have you ever broken a promise to your wife before?

Motivation works wonders.
For me it was my lil brother telling me I was being a bitch letting Marlboro whoop my ass. Then he told me he was tougher than me because he quit after his 3rd attempt to stop smoking.

That was almost 6 years ago. And I proved him wrong. I never smoked again. Took the pill and the patch. Lived thru some of the craziest dreams. Oh yea. Older bro IS and always will be tougher

Looks like you already found a few good reasons. Now gather the strength and kick those cigs ass! I would say it's ez. But I know better. But it's not impossible. Your kids will be proud of you. Your lungs will love you again. Friends and family won't have to smell you anymore. And you will save a ton of money.


As for the second quote.

The sooner you realize you DONT NEED to smoke, You WANT to . You will be on your way to being an ex smoker.

Get tough. Get serious. Quit fucking around and quit smoking.

You got this IF you want it bad enough.
Stay tough!

Funny story about breaking promises to the wife. 7 or so years ago I gave quitting a shot. Was still smoking a little. Just wasn't buying them. Bumming them from the guys at work. Smoking on break. Then started smoking on the way home from work. Then started buying my guys smokes because I was bumming so many. To finally buying my own again and totally sneaking around to smoke. Completely failed.
This went on for about a year before the wife caught me. She had gotten me some security cameras for Christmas. I had no idea she had started to set the system up. Went outside late one night after i thought everyone was asleep for my bedtime cig.
Wife caught me red handed on camera.
She was so pissed. Pissed for days. Like I had another family I'd been hiding pissed.

 

[FreeBird236]

Some old Ex/Smokers here.
Let's here some advise.
I've been a pack a day or Marlboro 100 smoker for 34 years. Seriously quit 1 time at 29 for a year. A couple attempts in my early 40s that I didnt take seriously.
You tough as basturds that quit. Any tips?
Im on day 5. Not even a drag.
I'm ready to smoke.

I think it's different for everyone. I smoked for over 45 years and the thought of quitting would actually give me anxiety, everything I did seemed to be centered around smoking. We were new to Havasu and one of the most enjoyable things about smoking was going out on the patio in the evening and enjoying the Havasu weather and the excitement of our new location. I thought if I can still enjoy that, I can make it. I picked up the weakest dose of Nicorette lozenges and went for it. I soon realized they were much stronger nicotine wise than the light cigarettes that I'd been smoking, so I'd just suck on one for a minute or two and put it in a baggie for later. You need to be able to spit that crap, you don't want to swallow it, like already stated hiccups and heartburn. This doesn't really give the enjoyment of a cigarette but must take the edge off while I still had the enjoyment of my routine. I actually only did this for about 3-4 weeks and thought, I'm not sure I need these lozenges anymore and started cutting back over just a few days. That was 12 years ago, and I have never cheated even once and virtually never even think of them. I will say this, I don't like to be in a smokey environment, but a single whiff still smells good. Good luck.

 

[81Sprint]

My wife smoked when I met her, not during the day but mainly in social settings, bar, hanging out with friends etc. I think it was more the habit than the "need" She started using a vape pen, with a little nicotine then started reducing gradually and would buy all kinds of flavors. I hated that stupid thing, but after about 9 months she finally didn't have the need for it all. She has stopped smoking now for about 10 years and can't stand to even be around the smell now.

I know it's not very manly, but whatever works.

 

[endobear]

I've smoked a pack a day since I was 14 or 15. I just quit 3 weeks ago on 12/29. I figured it gave me 4 days without work to blame for my stress and go back to smoking. I was using a cigarette pack case i found on Amazon that had a timer on it for a few weeks prior to quitting. You could set it for however long you want to before it unlocked. Set it at one hour and you already have cut back to less than 20 a day unless you dont sleep.
I to bed that friday night and finished off my pack knowing was going to quit. I was trying to put myself myself in a state of mind where i wasn't going to make excuses and just go buy more. I did sit around all weekend, trying to avoid doing anything productive that "required" me to smoke. In fact didn't go into my garage for a week, because that's where I primarily smoked.
I did cheat on new years eve and take a few hits of a cigar, (along with wearing a patch for the night)but it didn't give me the "hit" I was thinking it would, so it didn't do much for me. I didn't want to use the patch because I've went that route before, and It didn't do much for me. Most of the time I would end up feeling sick from smoking with the patch on.

I told my wife I would quit before our son was born in 2019, never happened. At 42 i need to get back into shape so i can chase these kids around, Our second son was born last Thursday. Thursday and Friday were my biggest tests to date. Very stressful days, and all I wanted was a cigarette and a drink. I told her friday to door dash coffee because if I left the hospital I would give in.

Lots of jolly ranchers, sun flower seeds, trail mix, etc. the first few weeks, especially when working from my home office. Trying to keep my mouth busy and not pop off at anyone. I've probably gained 5/10 lbs in 2 weeks. So I need to start eating healthier and using all this gym equipment collecting dust.

Lots of weird thoughts, Jiminy cricket on my shoulder telling me I can reward myself with a cigarette on day 7, Dat 14 etc. Me driving in traffic thinking I'll smoke before I do this or that when i get home. After a good meal I tell myself let's go smoke to make it even better.

Good for you on quitting. Feeling better at 3 weeks?
I'm off work right now recovering from a hand surgery. Supposed to have another this Friday. Not working has definitely helped. The not smoking in the garage or when im ouside doing chores is killing me. I just wander around in circles.

 

[Gelcoater]

bedtime cig.
Wife caught me red handed on camera.
She was so pissed. Pissed for days.

I remember this
You were on the shit list over a week

 

[endobear]

As was said. Drinking and my friends was the hardest. Everyone smoked. Everyone drank. When I left for 3 years, I took that opportunity. 2015 was the last time I ever bought a pack of smokes. I would have a cigar if I was drinking and really had a craving. I had a vape for a while 0% nicotine just the juice and oral habit. Even that I kicked shortly after. I don't think I've had a vape since 2018ish. Maybe even 2017. I still wonder what a Marlboro no27 would taste like sometimes.

For me, I didn't want to smoke forever. I was determined to be stronger than the nicotine.

I'm doing the 0 nicotine vape program. I may hit it on it 6 or 7x a day. Only when I'm really struggling. It helps but I'm not giving up my smokes to vape like I've seen a few friends do. In my opinion, they are still smokers.
Plus. Vaping just doesn't do it for me.

 

[endobear]

I remember this
You were on the shit list over a week

She was so freaking mad.

 

[17 10 Flat]

Quit at age 46 smoked off and on for years even quit once when I could get a pack at .18 cents.
How does one set an example for their children. Do as I say not as I do.

Had a book about not smoking one example they used, if you get point of smoking put a cigarette between you finger and your thumb and compress all the while saying to your self which is stronger me or this cigarette.

 

[27Daytona]

I smoked for about the same amount of time as you (35 years) and struggled for most of that time trying to quit. Tried everything under the sun. Nothing worked except Cold Turkey! It’s seriously the hardest thing I’ve ever done, and this is coming from someone who had a 10 year cocaine addiction. I’ve been smoke free for 5 years now. I feel so much better now. Physically and Spiritually. I truly felt like I was a slave to my tobacco addiction, but I am totally free now. It was the best present I ever gave myself!

Bottom line is you just have to get thru today. It’s that easy!!!

 

[endobear]

I quit when the Doc gave me Chantex. Shit made me bat shit crazy for a couple of weeks, but I quit with no cravings at all. That was 19 years ago.

Tried the Chantix 20 years ago. Shit made me extra crazy.
Looked into it when I was considering quitting this time. It was pulled off the market in 2021

 

[endobear]

i’m sitting in the hospital right now recovering from a heart attack I had on Saturday…had a stent put in yesterday to repair a blocked artery. Blood pressure was through the roof, etc…

I’m 43, smoke a pack a day for the last 25 years.

Haven’t had a smoke since I drove myself to the hospital Saturday night…craving was pretty brutal till after the stent procedure yesterday…now it’s almost not there.

You could try that lol.

I think I'll skip this approach

 

[endobear]

Throw away whatever cigarettes you have left and don't remember the date you quit. If you smoke the last of whatever cigarettes you have left and remember the date all you're doing is counting the days till you smoke again... Just toss whatever is left and move on.

The day before I quit I probably smoked 2+packs. Punished my lungs. I have a pack sitting in my drawer. I won't touch it. But I know it's there if I fall off the wagon.
It helps me to know I can just grab one if I wanted but im stronger than they are.

 

[monkeyswrench]

I'd think anything you can do to keep your mind busy would help. Being as it is, recovering from surgery, it makes it a bit more difficult. Although work stress maybe something that causes more cravings, being alone in your head allows for time to dwell on things you don't want to, or let cravings in you don't need.

A thing my buddy used for "oral fixation" was having toothpicks. I just thought he was another redneck. One day we're talking, and he tells me he bought some cinnamon flavored toothpicks instead of a pack of smokes one day. Hadn't smoked in years, but always had a toothpick in his mouth.

 

[stoker2001]

This stuff is super-popular in Sweden.

It will keep you away from cigarettes. You will still be addicted, but it seems like it will not kill you.

just curious,what is percentage of adult stinkers over there?last i heard it was about 15% here

 

[C-Ya]

Funny story about breaking promises to the wife. 7 or so years ago I gave quitting a shot. Was still smoking a little. Just wasn't buying them. Bumming them from the guys at work. Smoking on break. Then started smoking on the way home from work. Then started buying my guys smokes because I was bumming so many. To finally buying my own again and totally sneaking around to smoke. Completely failed.
This went on for about a year before the wife caught me. She had gotten me some security cameras for Christmas. I had no idea she had started to set the system up. Went outside late one night after i thought everyone was asleep for my bedtime cig.
Wife caught me red handed on camera.
She was so pissed. Pissed for days. Like I had another family I'd been hiding pissed.

Boy…….can I relate to this post.

I quit several times. Everytime I started back up…….. I hid it from my wife.

Its easy to hide in the beginning. But once you are back up to a pack a day, hiding becomes terribly difficult. When I was hiding, every cig I smoked, I did with rubber gloves on. I had breath mints in my pocket. My wife would still say she smelled cigarettes, in which I would deny having had a cigarrette, and LIE like a meth head. Complete denial. Eventually, I could not control my addiction, and would have to confess I was smoking again.

Now……… I no longer smoke cigarettes. I am completely addicted to vaping. The only good news is that I no longer smell like cigarettes. I wish I didn’t vape, but I am not ready to give it up. I am week and addicted to the ritual of smoking or vaping.

OP……. I wish you success. It’s truly a very difficult thing to do.

 

[Your ad here]

The day before I quit I probably smoked 2+packs. Punished my lungs. I have a pack sitting in my drawer. I won't touch it. But I know it's there if I fall off the wagon.
It helps me to know I can just grab one if I wanted but im stronger than they are.

Dude just throw it in the trash. Might be the best $12 you've thrown away... Keeping it the drawer is a burden. No cigarettes = no burden.

 

[CLdrinker]

I watched my Grandmother, Grandfather and Aunt all die from Emphysema.

It wasn’t pretty.

Kids shouldn’t have to see people they love die because of a stupid ass cigarette.

 

[Havasu blue label]

I use a patch till lunch time then I start smoking you will cut back

 

[TimeBandit]

I lost my mom and her parents to smoking related illnesses.

A good friend had a lung removed in 2016.

His wife just spent a week in the hospital and now is on oxygen all the time, she wont quit sneaking in a cig....

It must be the most addictive thing, well maybe fentanyl is worse. Both will kill you.

Good luck with your fight for life, it's worth it!

 

[Mandelon]

If you feel like a smoke, give the guy to your left a BJ instead. I bet you will quit quickly.

My parents both smoked. Dad puffed Parliaments. Then later switched to a pipe. Mom smoked Kents. But just after dinner. The TV room had only two chairs for them to watch TV. They smoked in there. The smog layer started at the ceiling and moved down slowly over the evening. I had to duck under it. It was pretty damn disgusting.

In high school I decided to give it a try. I couldn't get through one pack. I gave the rest of the pack away. I will puff a cigar every now and then though.

Just make the decision, and do it. Taper off, eat mints, whatever it takes. Be there for your kids.

 

[Mr. C]

I smoked for 40 years. The only way to quit imho is cold turkey. Set your mind to it. Get past the first 3 weeks. Which is a fucking bitch and people won’t want to be around due to mood swings. But I promise it will get better and habit of hand to mouth and addiction starts to subside.
Ive been smoke free for almost 7 yrs now. Best thing I’ve done.
I wish you nothing but the best on this journey.

 

[Mr. C]

i’m sitting in the hospital right now recovering from a heart attack I had on Saturday…had a stent put in yesterday to repair a blocked artery. Blood pressure was through the roof, etc…

I’m 43, smoke a pack a day for the last 25 years.

Haven’t had a smoke since I drove myself to the hospital Saturday night…craving was pretty brutal till after the stent procedure yesterday…now it’s almost not there.

You could try that lol.

Damn. Pat. Hoping for a fast recovery.
I had a TIA and when the doctor said quit or die your choice. I chose the cold turkey route.
Hope you get out and home soon.

 

[Icky]

Dude just throw it in the trash. Might be the best $12 you've thrown away... Keeping it the drawer is a burden. No cigarettes = no burden.

I agree with this, one day I went into my garage looking for a half cigarette or something. Couldn't find one so I went to the kitchen to find something to eat, the craving went away.

 

[lakemadness]

Funny story about breaking promises to the wife. 7 or so years ago I gave quitting a shot. Was still smoking a little. Just wasn't buying them. Bumming them from the guys at work. Smoking on break. Then started smoking on the way home from work. Then started buying my guys smokes because I was bumming so many. To finally buying my own again and totally sneaking around to smoke. Completely failed.
This went on for about a year before the wife caught me. She had gotten me some security cameras for Christmas. I had no idea she had started to set the system up. Went outside late one night after i thought everyone was asleep for my bedtime cig.
Wife caught me red handed on camera.
She was so pissed. Pissed for days. Like I had another family I'd been hiding pissed.

Does your wife not a have a nose that works?

I often think smokers have zero clue about how bad they smell.

 

[lbhsbz]

Damn. Pat. Hoping for a fast recovery.
I had a TIA and when the doctor said quit or die your choice. I chose the cold turkey route.
Hope you get out and home soon.

Hoping to get outta here in the next few hours…

Thanks.

 

[nameisbond]

I started the vape about a month ago. I've noticed I now have a better sense of taste and smell. Started with 30mg's of nicotine and I'm now on 3mg. I'll quit all together soon.

 

[Mr. C]

I often think smokers have zero clue about how bad they smell.

We are clueless to the stale smell no doubt.
My wife would always tell me how much a stunk when I came in. I blew her off mostly. Now. Well I hate when I have to admit I was wrong. Stale smoke friggen reaks. I’m sure I’m odd but I still like the smell of a fresh smoke or cigar.

 

[was thatguy]

Here, maybe this will help?
Look at this each time you THINK you have to smoke.
I smoked just as much as you and it was easy to quit, imo.

Pink healthy lungs, black smokers lungs.
Lungs can heal to a degree. They can regenerate healthy cells within reason.

This IS the reality, no fluff, no bullshit theories or existential reasoning or family “hallmark card” or mealy mouthed “Oohhh I really want to but its hard and I need to blah blah blah and my kids say blah blah blah…”

Here you go trooper, you decide.

 

[stephenkatsea]

Many thoughtful suggestions here. Regardless, you’ll quit when you truly want to quit. You may use one or some of these suggestions, maybe not. For me, it was Cold Turkey in 1991. Pack a day? Hell, I could easily burn 2 packs at work. The first month was the toughest.

 

[Icky]

For anyone thinking of quitting smoking, this helped me cut back and hold my self accountable.

Cigarette Case with a Time Lock - Timed Lock Box Cigarette Dispenser with LCD Display for 84mm/3.3in King Size (Short) - Portable Quit Smoking Aid (Silver) https://a.co/d/d8WqoyY

 

[EmpirE231]

Smoking is gay! will that help quit? lol

Honestly... I have a personal thing with freedom, and any sort of "addiction" is anti freedom. To be in a position where you need something so useless, but so badly is a spot I never wanted to be in. Example, we have a dumb cat that wont stop licking behind his shoulder from an old wound.... he will lick it till the hair is all gone, and it bleeds. He now has to wear a donut around his neck, and he looks even more dumb. That is pretty much what smoking looks like to non-smokers lol maybe even worse since it stinks so bad.

it's bad for you health, costs a bunch of money, makes you stink, etc etc the list goes on and on. It is a no brainer to quit.

 

[stephenkatsea]

For those trying to quit, this ad may help put into perspective just how ridiculous cigarettes can be.

 

[jetboatperformance]

2 Packs of Kools a day since boot camp , Quit "cold turkey" 25 years back and have never had a drag since ..... I was a fukin nut for the first few weeks (took adivan then ) , gained 25+ pounds easily looking back would like to have a smoke now and then but wouldnt be alive now if I hadnt quit, Only takes one "life flight" to make a believer . Pleased every time I have a chest xray and they are clear

 

[rivergames]

Tooth Picks. I like these bamboo that last a lot longer than a standard soft pick. They help distract your mind a little easier. Cheap

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KJN84TW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[Mandelon]

Cinnamon flavored tooth picks!

 

[rrrr]

This stuff is super-popular in Sweden.

It will keep you away from cigarettes. You will still be addicted, but it seems like it will not kill you.

Except for tongue and throat cancer. Other than that they're great.

 

[Vamodsquad]

Cinnamon flavored tooth picks!

We used to sell those for a nickel apiece in Jr. High School !

 

[rrrr]

I think I'll skip this approach

You don't have a choice. Realize the discomfort and stress you are undergoing right now will prevent you from dying prematurely. You want to play with your daughters' children? Think that over.

 

[FasterBae]

Buddy’s wife smoked a pack a day for 30+ years and got throat cancer, she quit and beat cancer. Now she’s smoking again. Sad and disgusting

 

[lbhsbz]

I think I'll skip this approach

I had the same answer on Saturday and 1000 times before…this time, felt fine, then didn’t. While I’m sure others are different, the theory of operation is the same. The end result will suck….easier to quit now before you’re on meds for the rest of your life.

It’s tough realizing that I’m not invincible and in my 20s anymore.

 

[jetboatperformance]

Lots of good suggestions however I have always believed the only way to really quit is to stop ... tapering off or "just one to get by" is not a viable solution Nicotine is a powerful drug not unlike narcotics sorry just My humble opinion..... "There's no one more righteous than a reformed hooker (smoker) "

 

[pixrthis]

I wish everyone that smokes could see what I saw when my mother in law died. The only thing wrong with her was that she couldn’t breathe. She suffocated to death with a body that wasn’t ready to go.

 

[C-Ya]

I have often joked with friends that I am glad that cigarettes are legal and not sold by prescription.. Because if they were, I’d be in prison for having robbed a Walgreens pharmacy at gun point.

“Put all your cartons of Marlboro Lights in the bag and nobody gets hurt”

 

[BHC Vic]

This is a low blow. I became ashamed my 14 year old son saw me using tobacco. What kind of shitty example was I?

Think about that too. It's real.

This is real. I never wanted my kids to see me drunk. I can very proudly say they never have.

 

[ChrisV]

I stopped smoking after when I started welding. Got old getting up every few mins to smoke.