| Author |
 Topic  |
|
glacial906
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1738 Posts |
 Posted - 09/10/2003 : 00:20:30
|
Are there any other members of the forum who are smokers who wish they could quit..? I know I am.
I've smoked since I was 15. I knew the health risks, even then, and stupidly I still picked up the habit. Back then my justification was that I would just try it for a while...now here it is, nine years later, and I'm still smoking.
The thing about it is, I don't know why. There are many days that I go without smoking even one cigarette, and I don't miss it. I never "nic" out, it's just that there are some times when other people are smoking, and it just seems like something to do. Mostly I smoke once if I work at night, and it has been really busy, or if I'm drinking. There's been plenty of times when I would just say: "Okay, this is it. No more smoking from now on." And then there would be a busy shift at work, or else I'd get stressed out, and it was like, "fuck it." I know how hard quitting can be, but I just don't know why I still do it so readily when other people are smoking, and I never wig out when I don't have a cigarette for a few hours.
I guess it's a pretty complex problem, but I'm hoping to do it soon. In the back of my mind, I know it's a matter of "just do it," but that is easier said than done.
...i'm not black like barry white no i am white like frank black is... |
|
|
mun chien andalusia
= Quote Accumulator =
Italy
2139 Posts |
Posted - 09/10/2003 : 07:05:59
|
Well i smoke since i was 16 too and tried to quit (without enthusiasm though) several times.From my experience here's the stuff you absolutely have to avoid if you are seriously trying to quit:
1 Drinking
2 Coffee(it sucks without a cigarette)
3 Important football games(or important sport events where you are emotionally involved)
4 Fighting with your boy/girlfriend(a good fight implies heavy smoking)
I failed to quit any of the above so i still smoke a pack of marlboros a day but it worked for me for a week or so.What's for sure though is that all people i know that quit they woke up one day and never smoked again,those who tried to smoke less or to use chewing gums or smoke "light" cigarettes and similar still smoke.Good luck...
www.munchienandalusia.too.it |
 |
|
|
floop
= Wannabe Volunteer =
Mexico
15297 Posts |
Posted - 09/10/2003 : 07:06:07
|
i've been bad lately. i used to smoke a pretty good deal, especially in college. but finally quit at the millenium for about 2 yearrs.. but then i gave in on the East Coast earlier this year (using my break up with girlfriend as an excuse).. so i'd like to get back to my non-smoking lifestyle.
you have to REALLY want to quit to quit. but you can definitely do it. it's just that you can't be half-assed about it. like, "i think i want to quit in a few weeks" like i've been lately.. |
|
|
|
mereubu
= FB QuizMistress =
USA
2677 Posts |
Posted - 09/10/2003 : 08:00:48
|
I started smoking on and off when I was ten, and then seriously from the ages of 16-29. I'd recommend pregnancy to you guys as handy form of detox, but I don't think it would work for you. :-) My husband & I both decided that we didn't want to smoke around a kid and that made it pretty easy to quit. Without her, I'd probably still smoke like a fiend. I had to find something that I wanted to live for more than anything to be able to quit.
Quitting is a hard gig. I had to pretty much avoid all situations in which I would normally have smoked for a few months--bars, parties, friends who chained, etc. I also found that I had to be much more attentive to my mood & needs since I didn't have the smokes to sublimate w/when I was frustrated, tired, sad, whatever. I exercise & nap a lot more than I did when I smoked. I'm less tolerant of things that irk me. I find that I have to actually deal with stuff instead of smoking. That's a good thing, but it's not always easy.
When I'm 80, I'm going to start again. |
|
|
|
Cult_Of_Frank
= Black Noise Maker =
Canada
11687 Posts |
Posted - 09/10/2003 : 08:28:35
|
quote:
Originally posted by mereubu
I'd recommend pregnancy to you guys as handy form of detox, but I don't think it would work for you. :-)
And the most disgusting part is that pregnancy isn't enough to stop some people...
 "Join the Cult of Frank / And you'll be enlightened" |
|
|
|
mereubu
= FB QuizMistress =
USA
2677 Posts |
Posted - 09/10/2003 : 08:51:35
|
Oh man, it made me so mad when I was pregnant. I'd go to the health department to get my WIC vouchers, and the entrance would be clogged with hugely pregnant smokers. I wasn't necessarily mad at the mamas, but their ignorance and the general failures of the public health system (or what passes for one here). When I was little, the kid across the street had a congenital heart defect b/c his mother smoked 3 packs a day during pregnancy. He died at 7, and her suicide attempts were numerous and depressing. It made enough of an impression on us that even my sister, a hard-core smoker, quit immediately w/both of her pregnancies and only smokes outside, away from her kids.
I still smoke in my dreams. Isn't that sad? |
|
|
|
Carolynanna
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
Canada
6556 Posts |
Posted - 09/10/2003 : 08:54:23
|
Well better in your dreams than for real.
Smoking when pregnant is gross or so is smoking around little ones. Some people's children hey. |
|
|
|
mereubu
= FB QuizMistress =
USA
2677 Posts |
Posted - 09/10/2003 : 09:00:27
|
| Truly. I started again very briefly when Z was about 18 months old. I'd sneak outside while she was watching Teletubbies, and when I'd come back in, she'd narrow her eyes and say, "Where you go, Mama?" I thought, "This is ridiculous. I'm hiding from a toddler!" Now I'm done for good. |
|
|
|
Carolynanna
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
Canada
6556 Posts |
Posted - 09/10/2003 : 09:03:38
|
| My son gives me shit all the time when I sneak out, ya it does feel horrible. But that's what parenting is all about hey, guilt guilt guilt. |
|
|
|
floop
= Wannabe Volunteer =
Mexico
15297 Posts |
Posted - 09/10/2003 : 09:20:37
|
| i could sure use a smoke right though.. |
|
|
|
ProverbialCereal
- FB TabMaster -
USA
2953 Posts |
Posted - 09/10/2003 : 10:45:07
|
I'm thinking about quitting second-hand smoking, but it just isn't working for some reason.
-Derek |
|
|
|
Dave Noisy
Minister of Chaos
Canada
4496 Posts |
Posted - 09/10/2003 : 19:17:30
|
I guess you're prolly all too old to be affected if i told you how stupid you look smoking?
Righto..
I've heard part of it is an oral/hand fixation. Play with a pencil or something..
Also, it's really helpful to make negative associations with smoking. Actually visualize the chemicals in the fag flowing into your lungs and blood...spreading out and disrupting the function of all your cells, triggering cancerous reactions.
Another part of this is to make it unpleasant to smoke. If it's hot outside, bundle up. If it's cold, don't put on any layers. Cover the part you suck on with a really unpleasant substance.
Avoiding spots you want to smoke (filthy non-BC bars) would be a good idea too.
Hope this helps.. |
|
|
|
mereubu
= FB QuizMistress =
USA
2677 Posts |
Posted - 09/10/2003 : 20:00:09
|
Another tip: find something else to do with your hands. Like an internet addiction. . .
"I joined the Cult of Frank / And all I got was this lousy icon" |
|
|
|
floop
= Wannabe Volunteer =
Mexico
15297 Posts |
Posted - 09/10/2003 : 21:05:26
|
you know it's sad when you're working out (like, going on runs like i do) and during your work out you're looking forward to having a smoke later..
|
|
|
|
mereubu
= FB QuizMistress =
USA
2677 Posts |
Posted - 09/10/2003 : 21:17:55
|
Oh yeah. And I remember that when I was too sick to smoke (w/bronchitis or whatever), my main motivation for getting well was the enticement of getting to smoke again. Ah, good times. . .
"I joined the Cult of Frank / And all I got was this lousy icon" |
|
|
|
floop
= Wannabe Volunteer =
Mexico
15297 Posts |
Posted - 09/10/2003 : 21:30:12
|
you can smoke while you're sick.
you've got to "smoke yourself back to health" as we used to say in college.
(it was funny then anyway) |
|
|
|
glacial906
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1738 Posts |
Posted - 09/10/2003 : 22:03:13
|
I remember, Dave, a poster that my friend's mom posted on his door to his bedroom when we were younger. She knew that we would both sneak out to smoke; it was ridiculous because we'd come in reeking of it, and think she wouldn't know. The poster she put up was a hypothetical situation showing a woman with her skin all blackened and shriveled, and pieces of flesh hanging loosely from her face, and it asked the question "would you still smoke if it did the same thing to your outside as it does to your inside?" I thought that was a pretty disgusting poster, but it didn't make us stop. I've had relatives who have died of heart complications from smoking, and my grandfather had a heart attack in the early nineties from smoking for like, 60 years or so. (Happily, he quit and is still around.) You'd think that those reasons would make people quit. But they don't. I've heard that cigarettes are harder to quit than heroin, which I don't believe, but I do think that it is a powerful drug when you see all the evidence, on TV, radio, newspapers, hearsay, etc, and it doesn't make you stop. Some part of your mind has to conciously decide that you don't care about the consequences, because you are not seeing the negative results visually. I don't have yellowed teeth, wrinkled skin, or a disgusting smokers cough, so SUBCONCIOUSLY I make the decision to put all the negative things I know to be true about cigarettes aside.
...i'm not black like barry white no i am white like frank black is... |
|
|
|
Dave Noisy
Minister of Chaos
Canada
4496 Posts |
Posted - 09/11/2003 : 00:35:45
|
re: harder to quit than heroin..prolly includes all the social pressure..you can't buy heroin at any corner or grocery store..heroin isn't that common on TV or movies or print ads...people walking around shooting up on the street, in the bar, on their 15min break..
Generally you don't see needles everyone on the sidewalk..
Cigerettes and their tell-tale signs are everywhere. I think that's pretty powerful. |
|
|
|
glacial906
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1738 Posts |
Posted - 09/11/2003 : 01:04:21
|
I did say that I DID NOT believe the thing I heard about cigarettes being harder to quit than heroin, Dave. Are you saying that a cigarette addiction is comparable to a heroin addiction BECAUSE of the fact that cigarettes (even though their ads are not allowed on TV) are more marketed, and you can get them easier? More people use them, so it is that much easier for our brains to justify smoking..? Perhaps the added factor of cigs being SOMEWHAT socially accepted..? (If that's what you're saying, good point. I hadn't really thought about it that way.)
...i'm not black like barry white no i am white like frank black is... |
|
|
|
The Holiday Son
= Quote Accumulator =
France
2010 Posts |
Posted - 09/11/2003 : 03:43:47
|
I wish I could say something clever and funny on the matter but theonion.com did it already!
"
Millions of Americans are addicted to smoking.
If you are among them but don't want to be, here are some tips to help you kick the habit.
Avoid doing things you associate with smoking, such as drinking, eating, walking, and being awake.
Get thrown in jail, where cigarettes can only be acquired in exchange for painful sexual favors.
Lobby your elected representatives to pass a $6,913 sales tax on packs of cigarettes.
Write a rap song about how smoking is not cool. Perform it at local elementary schools.
Move to California, where tobacco possession is illegal.
Avoid thinking about the rich, full flavor of Benson & Hedges.
Fill your home with motivational placards bearing such slogans as, "Smoking Is For Pussies" and "Only A Fucking Retard Would Even Think About Smoking."
Kissing a smoker is like licking an ashtray. If a loved one quits smoking, keep an ashtray around as a handy substitute.
Attractive people smoke because it makes them look cool. Acknowledge that you are neither attractive nor cool.
Cover yourself in egg whites. No one knows why this works.
Join a stop-smoking support group. Be sure it's one that meets on a different night than your other six support groups.
Hypnotism has helped many people quit, but you risk becoming the hypnotist's slave. It's your choice: quitting smoking or freedom.
Teach yourself a valuable lesson by slowly dying of lung cancer.
"
© http://www.theonion.com/
23 February 2000 |
|
|
|
Dave Noisy
Minister of Chaos
Canada
4496 Posts |
Posted - 09/11/2003 : 23:16:41
|
Hey glacial, i was expanding on why they might suggest that smoking is harder to quit.
Maybe i'm wrong, but i'm guessing all the commonalities and social pressure is prolly rather significant. |
|
|
|
Carolynanna
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
Canada
6556 Posts |
Posted - 09/12/2003 : 09:04:32
|
| Chris, that's exactly why its harder to quit smoking than heroin, even though heroin is way more physically addicting. |
|
|
|
Dave Noisy
Minister of Chaos
Canada
4496 Posts |
Posted - 09/12/2003 : 12:18:55
|
| Is 'addicting' even a word? ;) |
|
|
|
Carolynanna
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
Canada
6556 Posts |
Posted - 09/19/2003 : 11:34:57
|
Addictive, right?
Smokes, let's go.
(I can't believe I didn't use that when I had the chance.) |
|
|
|
Broken Face
-= Forum Pistolero =-
USA
5155 Posts |
Posted - 09/19/2003 : 13:00:33
|
i don't smoke - it killed 2 of my grandparents (heart disease did the other two in), and my dad is a former smoker - he used to wake me up in the middle of the night with these HUGE hacking coughs - one time i asked my mom why he coughed so much and she told me its b/c he smokes - from then on i've never wanted one. plus, i want to live to see my grandkids and can spend my well earned money on about a zillion better things like whores and coke
-brian
 - "I joined the Cult of Frank / And they tried to cut off my nuts and make me put on a blue jumpsuit"
|
|
|
|
Dallas
= Cult of Ray =
USA
725 Posts |
Posted - 09/19/2003 : 13:09:53
|
Smoking sucks. My brother had part of his tongue and cheek removed due to cancer when he was still in his 30's. Not everybody gets to smoke until they are a senior citizen.
I'm not trying to be a jerk, but, man, if you smoke, QUIT. |
|
|
|
glacial906
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1738 Posts |
Posted - 09/19/2003 : 13:58:41
|
I would never take somebody telling me to quit smoking to be a jerk. It is a very good idea.
In the beginning the Universe was created. This has made a lot of people very angry and been widely regarded as a bad move.
Douglas Adams |
|
|
|
Sheamus
= Cult of Ray =
Australia
345 Posts |
Posted - 09/19/2003 : 21:44:52
|
I like your sig Glacial.
I smoke. I've been trying to quit for a few months. I've been having one or 2 a day for a long time, but can't quite seem to get past that.
I'm in two minds about smoking. The little angel that sits on my left shoulder says "Sheamus, you don't eat healthily, you don't get any exercise, smoking is only going to make things a lot worse. You're going to die of a heart attack at age 40 if you don't start improving your act" and then the little devil on my right shoulder says, puffing on a cigarette "Everyone dies one day. You might as well make the most of your life and do whatever the hell you want before you're nothing more than a pile of decomposting flesh 6 feet under ground. Besides, plenty of people smoke and don't get sick at all, and it's not like you're even smoking very much at all"
_________________
NATURE'S TIME IS CUBIC AND PERPETUAL. LINEAR TIME IS WRONG AND SUICIDAL |
|
|
|
glacial906
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1738 Posts |
Posted - 09/19/2003 : 21:58:55
|
Hell, you want to do it, I say we quit!!! I've gone all day today without, and it's always easier to quit if someone else is going through the same shit!
That kinda rhymes.
In the beginning the Universe was created. This has made a lot of people very angry and been widely regarded as a bad move.
Douglas Adams |
|
|
|
Sheamus
= Cult of Ray =
Australia
345 Posts |
Posted - 09/20/2003 : 00:20:16
|
That's actually a good idea. I've tried doing that with my girlfriend, but she always ends up buying more after a few days, so then I do as well and it never works.
I havn't had one today yet either, though I've been thinking about going and having one fairly soon.
How many have you got left?
_________________
NATURE'S TIME IS CUBIC AND PERPETUAL. LINEAR TIME IS WRONG AND SUICIDAL |
|
|
|
miguel
- FB Fan -
USA
213 Posts |
Posted - 09/20/2003 : 02:34:46
|
| I can't stop sniffing glue.. |
|
|
|
glacial906
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1738 Posts |
Posted - 09/20/2003 : 12:28:59
|
None. If I can make it through work tonight, I may try to give it another go.
It's sad that I can't just say, "Okay, I'm GONNA DO IT!" I don't know why that's so hard. If I wanted to, I could tell my wife I wanted to stop and she would be supportive. She smokes, but she's never been that addicted like I am. Usually I won't buy cigarettes for a few days and pathetically end up bumming off everyone at work.
One good thing, though, is that if I get about a week without a cigarette, man do I get inspired to quit. It's easier to resist if you get some time (a few weeks or months) without a cigarette than it is that first day you say, "I'm going to quit."
I didn't have one today, either, so I guess I'll see how it goes. I think both our problem is that we're very wishy-washy about quitting. I don't know if it's possible to quit with the mindset we have.
In the beginning the Universe was created. This has made a lot of people very angry and been widely regarded as a bad move.
Douglas Adams |
|
|
|
floop
= Wannabe Volunteer =
Mexico
15297 Posts |
Posted - 09/20/2003 : 13:34:23
|
i think if you can make it past the 3-day mark, you're on your way to being in the clear. the first three days are the hardest. from what i've heard, and from what i've experienced.
yeah, i'm getting geared up to quit here too. i really don't want to be smoking in my 30's.. (oops. did i just reveal too much about myself?)..
it's a shame that i enjoy it so much though.. my weakness is when i'm drunk, as i was last night.. then i smoke too much and feel disgusting the next day..
i do, however, work out regularly and eat healthy.. it's my way of counteracting my other vices.. |
|
|
|
Little Black Francis
> Teenager of the Year <
3648 Posts |
Posted - 09/20/2003 : 20:43:11
|
quote:
bars, parties, friends who chained, etc
I am a bad chainer. 2 packs of reds a day. I live in VA, cigs are cheap. I used to get a pack of camels for 1.15$ at the store beside the highschool when I was a freshman, very fresh, way back wack in 1990. Since I was 15. Now almost 27. Not to mention downers and alcohol and if you got some.
Priceless advice
pretty good at mysterious ambiguity, trippy shit, porpoiseless...
Hey, that's me : )
BOOGERS
I wish I has listened to my parents.
As far pregnancy, smoking, that political realm, I was a ADOPTED, which is a fucking unique experience that enhances the perspective on childbirth, laws, and ethics, all of which I am not an adept debater, but I do have a word to for it.
It's fucked up, just like everything else, except good harmony.
However, I don't have a tiny heart, even though it is little.
Drugs are a broken rainbow. TS Elliot
-------------------------
ain't it funny how the goes |
|
|
|
glacial906
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1738 Posts |
Posted - 09/20/2003 : 22:27:17
|
You are a cool dude, Little Black Francis.
In the beginning the Universe was created. This has made a lot of people very angry and been widely regarded as a bad move.
Douglas Adams |
|
|
|
Sheamus
= Cult of Ray =
Australia
345 Posts |
Posted - 09/20/2003 : 22:34:34
|
quote:
Originally posted by glacial906
I didn't have one today, either, so I guess I'll see how it goes. I think both our problem is that we're very wishy-washy about quitting. I don't know if it's possible to quit with the mindset we have.
I agree, I think that's a lot of what it is. I don't really want to quit that badly, I enjoy the occasional cigarette. I want to want to quit, I guess that's it. For the record I have 13 left, and had 2 yesterday. None so far today and It's 3:35pm Sunday afternoon.
_________________
NATURE'S TIME IS CUBIC AND PERPETUAL. LINEAR TIME IS WRONG AND SUICIDAL |
|
|
|
Topic |
|
Topic Locked
