Time for the last one...

[C_Tripper]

Sup TDS.

Well, since the last time I saw you, I kicked methamp, stopped hanging around with some rather unsavoury people, paid off a lot of people (thanks girlfriend, I owe my life to her), fixed my anxiety and am getting ready to hit the books at University once more.

But you see, there's one last addiction I need to kick: smoking. I'm worried about how deep I am into it, I've been smoking less than a year with various amounts, but currently am at about 5 cigs a day.

I roll my own, which is neither here nor there I guess. I've been thinking about this for a long while, it's no spur of the moment thing, and I know it's the right time...

I'm doing it mainly for my health. I'm a chronic asthmatic (was an apnea baby as a child, have died on my parents far too many times), and my peak flow is about 400 at the moment: terrible for a male my age (20).

Now, I know I'm addicted, but I don't know how bad. At least when I kicked Oxy it was a known thing: I knew how bad it was going to get, I knew how long it should last for, I knew how to plan for it. Meth was easier, I just kicked that fucker good and proper. I've even indulged since, once, at a festival, but didn't spiral: nor even WANT to!

What am I in for? I forsee being a grumpy motherfucker for a while, a hell of a cough while my lungs return to normal, and being able to breathe properly... how long can I expect this shit to last?

I've printed out a calendar: I've marked today on it as the 3 cigarettes I've had, tomorrow as down to 2, and the 1st as down to 1. Then on that day, I throw my tobacco away, purge my house of any smoking paraphernalia, and ride this fucker out.

Any tips/advice/support?

 

[n3ophy7e]

I've never been addicted to cigarettes so I can't comment on the withdrawals/cravings from personal experience, but my boyfriend was a smoker for 13 years and quit cold turkey. The first 2-4 days were the hardest but it got so much easier for him after that.

BUT if you've quit harder drugs, you can definitely quit nicotine. Yes you will be grumpy for a few days while your brain gets over the worst of the cravings but if you keep yourself distracted so you can get through the cravings, you should be fine.

Good luck!!

 

[Legerity]

It may or may not be as difficult as you expect it to be. Five cigarettes/day isn't a huge amount, so it may be easier than you expect.

I've had difficulty with smoking...been dependent for around 6-7 years somewhere from half a pack up to over a pack. Must have tried quitting almost 10 times now. Anyways, the first time was actually easy there was maybe a couple of days of discomfort but then no problem.

Maintaining motivation to me is the most difficult aspect. After a while it's easy to forget that smoking really isn't enjoyable and to feel deprived whenever somebody else is smoking. But this isn't true, and because it is everywhere it's helpful to not buy into the illusion that it is a huge pleasure. The "enjoyable" aspect of smoking comes from the fact that it satisfies your craving to smoke, that's about it.

 

[Seanjay]

Personal suggestions:

If you don't, start going to the gym. (For obvious health reasons)
Eat healthier
Counseling
Love your body, think of how great it is to excel.
Focus on your academics, find solace in learning
Smoking is a monetary and academic hindrance.

Relation:
-Currently in college,
-psych/sociology major,
-kicked a year long iv heroin/cocaine addiction (5 months off) as well as cigarettes (four years on and off, a pack a day max), simultaneously.
-gained 35lbs since summer 2010 (gym at least every other day) 175lbs


Addiction is when you aren't happy. "Know thyself". :]

 

[theseeker]

Absolutely get to the gym like the above poster said. This is the best advice you can get. Get addicted to the gym- which can happen in just a few short weeks of regular workouts.

Even though you were only smoking five cigs a day- that's still enough to harm your respiratory system. It will also be somewhat hard to quit because it's probably part of your everyday experience. When you get a craving- go out for a walk. If you can just put off obeying the craving for like 5 mins- it will pass. This is exactly what I did when I quit cigs.

That said- you've already quit oxy. If you can quit that, 5 cigs a day is very doable. Get to the gym and in a few weeks you won't even be thinking about cigarettes.