I need help quitting cigarettes.

NiNi, I too share that same vice, and its something I'm also not proud of. It is the hardest thing to quite though isn't it?

Good luck to you as you get ready to tackle this tough to break habit. You can do it! I'm also thinking there is a support group, and they assign you a member when you have the urge to cheat on it.

I don't have a clue as to who or how to contact them though. Maybe one of the other members will know.

SE

Hey SE, Im sorry you have the same bad habit but I know  that somewhere there has to be support groups for people trying to quit smoking cigs. 

I say this knowing its true because when I spoke with my GP about quitting she actually gave me some paperwork concerning support groups for smokers.  I will locate it or get another one and post back to you when I find out more about it.

In the mean time I am going to begin using the patch, the one that has 3 steps down, which is the patch my GP advised me to start.  I was about to say something like how expensive the patchs are but cigarettes are outrageously priced, so cant use that excuse.

I get paid once a month, and when my pay comes at the end of this month, this time I am buying the patches unstead of a carton of cigs. I have promised my grandchildren I would quit by my 58th birthday which is coming up soon.

So good luck to us, and everyone else out there trying to quit the awful and expensive habit.  I to know we can do it.  Im really praying for some real strong willpower.

Ok, have a low pain day and many many more.  Oh by the way Tina, if your mom can do it then I should be ashamed of myself if I dont give it my very all, which I will, Thank you and have a lovely evening

1. You have to be ready to quit. If you are not 100% committed to quitting then you won't.
2. Get rid of all your smoking stuff. Cigs, lighters, ash trays, etc. Be sure to go through your coats, jackets, cars, etc.
3. Make sure everyone around you knows you are quitting and that no matter what they are not to buy you or give you any smokes.
4. Set up a reward system for yourself. Give yourself a "treat" for making it each day for the first week, then every other day the 2nd week, then twice a week on week 3, and once a week on the 4th through the 8th week.

Other than that I think you have been given some really good advice already.

Now that I am becoming much more computer savvy, ok I am still a work in progress but I am getting there.

My point to that is I realized help with quitting smoking was just a few seconds away as I explored the different sites for help in quitting.  There are so many sites out there and groups of people ready to help me and anyone else quit.

For me its going to be as much mental as physical, my first cup of coffee in the morning is also my first cig of the day, I get on the phone, I immediatley light up.  Those types of things are just as difficult for me as the withdrawal of nicotine.  I know from experience the worst withdrawal in the world is narcotics withdrawal, and I have done that more times than I care to remember.  But having lived thru that nicotine will be a walk in the park.

So I have already contacted the support groups in my area for the times I want to reach for a cig. I know this sounds terrible, but I have one more pack, and at 6-7 dollars a pack, I just cant throw them away.  As soon as I finish the last one, I am going to begin the process of quitting.  I am ready, I promised myself and my girls, and my grandchildren that before I turned 58 (at the end of this month) I am going to quit.

So thanks one and all for your help and very informative suggestions.  I will be trying any and all (except the pills) and I know I am going to succeed.

Hope all are having very low pain days, and big but gentle hugs to all.

You could try the Easyway To Quit Smoking Book. It has worked for a lot of people. But, yes, it really is a decision that you have to be sure of. That book did help me a lot though.

**Ok..going to be blunt here but please know I say this with love and care..

While I never smoked myself...my mom did for over 30 years..and then when on a trip to Maine...just the two of us...she slapped on the patch and never looked back...

She said it was tough for the first week..but got so easy after that..she was shocked...because it gives you nicotine in doses that are reduced little by little...her body didn't 'crave' it...then by the time of the last patch...she was completely done!

She substituted sugarless mints/candy in place of it...

This was back in 1992..I am SO proud of her!!

I really implore those who smoke on here to do everything in your power to quit...it truly is life or death...

And to those with spine issues and that have had surgery...it is proven that smoking reduces the chance of fusion by over 50%!!! It robs the bones of oxygen which is needed to fuse...as well as people who smoke have more issues with osteoporosis and spine issues...along with all the other health issues..

My Neurosurgeon who is one of the best and well known in the country for fusions...will actually not do a surgery on a patient who smokes...

As other studies show that those who smoke have lower pain thresholds ..and need higher dosing of pain medicine..

And my Pain Mgmt. Dr. says that he actually won't continue to provide pain meds to those who smoke and don't want to quit as he feels that they really aren't serious about improving their health.

He thinks that if they aren't willing to listen to Dr.s who say they need to quit, that they won't be caring what he has to say either.


He has smoking cessation information all over the place and will help someone every step of the way to help them quit as he truly cares about his patients..It's a passion of his...

I know it's hard to do...but it's not impossible as millions have done it...I REALLY encourage those on here who smoke to find a way to quit...

To me it is so tragic to see people develop awful diseases and cancers from something that we have knowledge and control over to stop...

I know I won't be popular for this post...because I am being honest and more direct..but again...

**I know you all can do IT!...You all are so strong to live with the pain everyday from our illnesses and the surgeries you have gone through...it really does bring tears to my eyes to think that it will shorten your life and cause more pain if you don't...

Ok..I hope I can still post after this My goal is to not offend..but to say if my mom can do it after 30 years...I know you all can too!!

Hi Nini. I don't smoke myself and never have. My dad and my grandpa quit cold turkey without any help. I don't know how they did it, but they did. My grandpa passed away with emphyzema though, and it really upset me because he had been quit for 14 years when he passed. He did his best, but it just wasn't enough.

I wish you all the luck in the world on quitting smoking. You can do it!! I'm here if you need anything. Of course, i haven't been through it, but I've heard of so many that have quit. I'm very proud of you that you're going to quit. It will help your health. You're going to feel so much better when the nicotine gets out of your system.

We're all here for you on your journey. Think about your children and grandchildren when you have that urge to pick one up. You have gotten so much good advice here. I hope I was able to help just a bit.

love and big soft hugs
Loretta