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Multiple Steps for Quitting Smoking: Divorce Your Smoking Friends

by Leanne

, Alberta
Canada

I have made many attempts at quitting, so feel that with all of the reading I have done, courses I have attended, and methods I have tried, that I have become an expert! This is a method that I think would work well for a long-term habitual, addicted, dedicated smoker such as myself. (25 years cough, cough) There are 3 very, very important points: 1) Change Your habits! If you used to get up, read the paper and have your coffee and smokes, Cancel your paper, have fresh squeezed OJ instead and a hot shower. 2) Reward Yourself!: set up a reward plan i.e.: every week at first, then every month, and EVERY time you overcome a weak moment. 3) Divorce your smoking friends for a year plus/minus. With the above, firmly part of my planning, here is my method: I first begin on my quit date with the patch, AND gum to take me through the difficult moments. I don't allow myself to ever get to the point of craving a smoke for the first month or two because this is the time period I am working on habit changes and am getting accustomed to not reaching for a smoke. I then cut off the gum completely and continue to diligently sport the patch for 2-3 months. During this time I am becoming accustomed to steady levels of nicotine rather than the peaks and valleys of cigs and gum. I do not decrease the strength of the patch as in my experience it is like cutting back on smoking, which has never worked for me. I then set the "cold turkey" day to stop the patch and begin zyban about 2 weeks before this date. I like lower strength of zyban so request a wellbutrin prescription (YES THEY ARE THE SAME THING!) as it seems only wellbutrin comes in lower strengths. On the date of quit, I drink a lot of fruit juice and water, and if possible go for a steambath at the gym. There are only about 2 uncomfortable days, and that's it!! I find that this method is a very comfortable quit for a previous dedicated smoker. As long as the mind is set on quitting. Reading a little every day from a book on smoking, its effects and quitting also really helps to keep the resolve. I like the books that include the 12 step methods as applied to smoking. Also diary writing is a huge help for blowing off the steam.