I quit smoking in Oct 2001 but right now I want to buy a pack of smokes

[Skittles]

I had quit after smoking for many years. But right now I'm severely stressed and have an overwhelming urge to light up. Please help.

[FarmerOak]

1. Help?

You mean, like recommend a brand? Or PayPal you the five bucks for a pack?

Edited because there is no such thing as "bicks." Or "PayPay," for that matter.

[Skittles]

5. um

looking for encouragement not to light up. Cute though.

[FarmerOak]

9. Oh, OK

Um.... don't smoke, OK? Smoking's bad, mmmmkay? So you shouldn't smoke, mmmmkay?

[Skittles]

10. would Mr. Hat say the same?

[FarmerOak]

11. Ummm, no, but Mr. Mackey would, mmmmkay?

You sick little monkey! You're nuttier than Chinese chicken salad!

[VolcanoJen]

2. Remember, you'll crave a ciggie whether you have one or not.

Breathe in.... breathe out. Breathe in... breathe out....

[ps1074]

3. don't do it please

have some popcorn instead

[daa]

4. Read the side of the pack

read the warning label.

Now, if it said that on a can of dog food would you feed that to your dog?

Craving gone.

Quit 2-12-84

[Skittles]

18. you are so right

no way would I do that to my pet

[Taverner]

6. Well if you want the same feeling without the damage

Get some nic gum or patches...I know I try to go back to those instead of smoking and it usually works.

[madmax]

7. Skittles - Don't

Is it really worth it. I'm trying to quit myself I know it's so hard. You're doing great - don't blow it now. Go outside if you can, walk around the block. Look at the sights around you and take your mind off the cigs. If you, don't start up again you'll be a great inspiration to me.

[coltman]

8. I quit 7 yrs. ago.

I still get the urge on occasions.Don't blame stress, smoking is a very powerful addiction.Hope that helps.

[Skittles]

12. oddly enough, this is the first powerful craving I've had in two years

I can't seem to get it out of my mind. I may just go get some of that nic gum.

[Taverner]

14. Yes the nic gum has always worked for me

It's easier to quit than the smokes too, partly because it dosent taste too good.

[Emboldened Chimp]

13. DON'T DO IT, DAMMIT!!!!

I quit over nine years ago, so I know where you're at. Actually, I don't, because since I've quit I've never had the urge. Simply put, I hate cigarettes. You should learn to do the same. Cigarettes suck. They kill you slowly but surely. There is not one, NO ONE, redeeming quality about those vicious little fuckers.

I have a friend whose dad used to be a cigarette analyst on Wall Street. You should HEAR some of the things that tobacco companies do to cigarettes to keep you hooked: spiking nicotine, adding sugar to the tips of cigarette paper, ADDING GUNPOWDER just so it burns easily.

Skittles, if you're stressed, there are many more things you can do to relieve it than smoking those fucking things: exercise, have sex, have a drink, whatever. JUST DON'T SMOKE!

DAMMIT!

[Skittles]

lol

I'm drinking a bit of kahlua right now.

[tridim]

15. Go buy some lozenges now

Don't buy smokes. If you have to smoke, buy some pot and smoke a quick bowl. Pot REALLY releves the stress, er.. so I'm told.

[Mobius]

16. Concenrate on the reason you quit in the first place

If your stress is related to the health of loved ones, I'm sure they wouldn't want you smoking either. Try to do something with your hands, like crochet, or some other hobby, to help with the nervous energy.
Good Luck

[LibertyorDeath]

17. I'm sure you've had this feeling before..Ride it out.

Do whatever it takes to distract yourself from the thought.

Anything.......

I used to smoke in the shower while getting ready for work. (don't ask)

[Skittles]

35. um - come on now, I have to ask

I was severely addicted but I never even thought about smoking in the shower. I have to know - how did you do that?

[LibertyorDeath]

55. Well I would usually be running late for work but still had to get

my mandatory 3 to 4 smokes in before leaving the house
so I would do my hair first 2 hands then spark a smoke & do the rest one handed with the other sticking out of the shower curtain keeping my smoke dry.

Those were the days..LOL

Been 5 years for me

Hang in there it will pass.

Cheers

[Skittles]

67. I'm impressed!

you are pretty good at multi-tasking for a guy!

[madrchsod]

19. NOOOOOOOOO

DO NOT light up. do something to take your mind off the problem..go running-endorphines rush..i quit 22 yrs ago and some times i wonder what it would be like to smoke...do not start smoking!

[bigwillq]

20. Don't start again. Willpower. Willpower.

Do anything you can to keep busy but don't start again. Chew gum, have a lollipop, have a drink but don't smoke.

I smoke and hate it and have tried to quit many times. I quit for almost two years then I turned 21 and started going to the bars and started again.

BTW, how did you quit?

[Skittles]

25. I'd love to say willpower

but the truth is I moved in with my boyfriend Tom who is a militant anti-smoker. I couldn't smoke in the house and got tired of him screaming YOU STINK! I was also always aware that buying tobacco = supporting republicans and THE COST dear GOD they were getting expensive. I used the patch for a couple of weeks too.

Don't do what I did - spend a major portion of your life on this piece of shit habit. Keep trying - you can do it.

[bigwillq]

32. I have tried to cut back but some things are helping the cause like

the only time at work that I get a break is when I go have a smoke.
IN CT, smoking no longer is allowed in bars or clubs and that made me slow down a bit b/c it's a pain in the ass always going outside but now I only go to this one bar for 1. My friend bartends and 2. They have a back patio where you can smoke and still bring your drink out there.

It's hard but I am going to try to gradually slow down.
I hope you stick with it.

[Skittles]

38. bigwillq, that's another reason I quit smoking

as it got increasingly harder to smoke, I found myself having to plan, for EVERY situation, where or when I could smoke. It drove home the point of how addicted I was and I also started to realize it was like WORK. Smoking was no longer attractive. I am thankful to the anti-smoking lobby because they did make smokers ostracized and I think that's a good thing.

[bigwillq]

I like the non-smoking in bars, clubs, etc.

I'm all for it. I used to find it an inconvience but now for
1. You don't stink like smoke when you get home.
2. You can actually breathe at the end of the night.

However,
When the law first went into effect this past April 1, the first time I went to a bar i had 1 cig the whole night. But recently I only go to that one bar and with that back patio and now with the weather heating up, I'm constantly out there.

[Skittles]

52. in preparation for quitting, for a few weeks I imposed some rules

no smoking at home, no smoking in the car. Helps when you finally do quit.

[bigwillq]

63. Smoking in the car is what makes it even harder to quit

It's a good rule cause when I'm driving it's non-stop smoking for me.

[Skittles]

65. if you try to break the habit in certain circumstances

it makes it easier when you finally do quit. Try it - make it a rule not to smoke in your car. Another rule I had was I couldn't smoke after I got up until I was dressed and could stand outside.

[bigwillq]

41. Dupe. Please delete.

Sorry.

[LynneSin]

21. Meet Mitch McConnell

This is Mitch McConnell and he's a republican senator from Kentucky. Mitch would love for you to go out and buy a pack of smokes because he knows it's more tobacco lobbyist money for him. In 2002 he was top recipient of their money with Saxby Chambliss, a war drafter who called war hero Max Cleland unpatriotic

http://www.opensecrets.org/industries/recips.asp?Ind=A0...

BTW - top recipient in 2004: George W. Bush

http://www.opensecrets.org/industries/recips.asp?Ind=A0...

Need any other reasons to not smoke???

[Skittles]

22. OMG THE REPUBLICAN MEME

You're a shrewed one, LynneSin. I'm reminded now of the last couple years I smoked - it never failed to enter my head that I was supporting repug bastards - thanks for the reminder.

[LynneSin]

23. I was either going to post that or the standard skittles line...

I'M GOING TO KICK YOUR ASS!!!!!!

[Skittles]

28. right now I could probably use a good ass-kicking

I am absolutely WALLOWING in self-pity; it's very disturbing.

[CatWoman]

24. STREAK SAYS DON'T DO IT, SKITTLES!!!

[Skittles]

26. Streak is a pusher

I know right now she'd sell me a few packs sans the state tax symbol.

[trof]

27. Need a light?

[Skittles]

39. you're a sick bastard, trof

[trof]

48. Be happy to flic my Bic for ya.

Just lit a 120mm More White Light.
Ahhhhhh
Time for a friendly Scotch & soda.
Hang in there.

[Skittles]

53. lordy, so many people told me I'd grow to hate the smell of tobacco

WRONG. I still love it!

[trof]

68. stay the course

[Marymarg]

29. No, please, don't.

You will sooooo regret it.

What has kept me smoke free for the past 26 years is the thought of having to quit again and no doubt that is what it would come to. Remember the agony of quitting? Do you want to do that to yourself??

I don't consider myself a strong person and I have quit for a quarter of a century, plus. If I can do that, you can resist this urge.

You will be proud of yourself, later and so glad.

I have faith that you will make it!

[Skittles]

31. yes

I remember a bit of weight gain - all you people considering quitting smoking - even if you gain wait it DOES eventually drop - but I wouldn't want to do it again.

[Athletic Grrl]

30. Don't do it Skinner!!!!

Fruit and/or veggies. Exercise. All of the above have helped me pass through a craving at one time or another. I hadn't thought of it until now, but I'm nearly 6 years smoke-free.

Keep up the good work, Skinner.

[Skittles]

33. WHO YOU CALLING SKINNER???

actually that be quite a compliment !!!

[argyl]

34. Take some really deep breaths.It's a great feeling when you can.

One reason many smokers have so much trouble quitting is because they can only get that sensation with a searing inhalation of cigarette smoke.
They're so addictive that if you give in you may get reeled in by Big Tobbaco again.
Breathe deep, relax,enjoy your increased lung capacity,and know that the cravings,while intense,will quickly pass.
Twenty years smoke free.

[DS1]

36. Cigs don't just kick your ass, they KILL YOU DEAD!

[DU GrovelBot]

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[Skittles]

40. I'll donate if you give me a smoke, grovelbot

Let me shamelessly troll for the DU - people if you haven't donated, just do it. Even five bucks from a few of you goes a long way.

For the record, Skittles HAS already donated.

[Paradise]

42. Who's The Boss???

You are, Skittles!

Just get past this one moment!

Sunflower seeds!

[Skittles]

54. just don't eat those damn seeds while surfing

they get stuck your keyboard!!!

[Paradise]

61. lol! now that's funny. :) n/t

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

43. Go get some weed

satisfies the need to smoke and you'll fall asleep and the liquor store will be closed

[oneighty]

44. No no do not be seduced by the evil weed.

Let me do it!

HeeHeeHee.

(((((((((((((hugs)))))))))) Skittles.

180

[Skittles]

56. ED!

[saracat]

45. Boy do I know how

you feel. I quit 3 months ago and I want to smoke more each day. It doesn't seem to get easier but worse! Weird, huh? I had NO problem initially quitting. Just went cold turkey and now , months later I'm getting almost uncontollable cravings. Thank God for you .You make me realize I'm not alone. Hang in there .Take deep breaths as tho' you are smoking.Pretzels and baby carrots also seem to work a bit .I won't smoke if you won't .Chin Up.

[Skittles]

57. no we certainly are NOT alone

and guess what - this craving HAS passed, thanks to encouragement from DUers. I tell you I was headed to the store (by the way, I've made it a rule that if I do buy a pack I HAVE TO WALK TO THE STORE TO GET IT - that alone stopped me a few times the first year) when I decided to start this thread. DUers are amazing - such a wide variety of opinions. Next time you get a thread, start the same post - we'll keep each other encouraged.

[saracat]

69. Thanks

I will do that.I usually get the cravins strangely enough when I'm alone and stressed but I won't give in!

[MissMillie]

46. Whether you smoke or not

the urge will go away.

So why not avoid the ciggie?

[Marymarg]

47. and another thing

I hope this helps.

Since you have been off nicotine for so long, you are no longer physically addicted. In my opinion the physical addiction is sometimes easier to break than the psychological one. For me, when I reached the point of considering myself a nonsmoker rather than a smoker who had quit, the psychological addiction was gone.

One of the big reasons why I wanted to quit is that I was seing that I would become a social pariah as it was becoming no longer cool to smoke. That is to me, and evidently to you a major factor.

I know how hard it is but hang in there. You are a nonsmoker, now. Keep reminding yourself.

And yet, another thing, I have had scores of dreams since I quit smoking--always the same--I found myself suddenly smoking again and I was soooo disgusted and miserable because I felt like I could not quit again.

Always come here to your friends if the urge hits. We will help.

[Skittles]

58. ya Mary

I remember seeing an elderly lady on TV smoking away and I thought dear GOD don't let that me me!!! Thanks. I AM A NONSMOKER!!!!!

[trof]

49. If you haven't bought a pack in 2 1/2 years

the sticker shock will kill you.

[Skittles]

59. it's really the main benefit I got from smoking

I have already saved thousands of dollars, literally.

[Shopaholic]

50. I hate to be the one to tell you this. . .

but I'm not the craving ever goes away. My father quit smoking when I was 10-he had a three pack-a-day habit. Over ten years later, I had a severe allergic reaction to the iodine used during a cat scan and went into shock. My father told me later the nurses were running my hospital bed towards the ICU, he reached up for his pocket--trying to find the cigarettes he'd given up so many years ago.

[Skittles]

60. bless your dad's heart

his love for you kicked in his addiction - yes, I do believe I'll always WANT to smoke when the going gets rough. But DUers got me through this craving; I'm very grateful.

[Skittles]

51. OK after reading your responses I exercised for 50 minutes

and it seems to have taken the edge off. Plus I'm fixing to watch the horse race and they were interviewing some guy with hooked to oxygen tubes in his nose. My aunt died of emphasema. YIKES.

WOW! What a race! GO SMARTY!!!

[K8-EEE]

62. DON'T!! BIG TOBACCO LOVES BUSH!

Gum!! Hiking....go somewhere you can't smoke like a movie, it will pass, wait it out, GOOD LUCK from a fellow ex-smoker.

[Skittles]

66. HEY - you just reminded me

I have some gum- Dentyine Ice. I'll chomp on some now!

[playahata1]

64. Hang in there.

My mom and my grandfather both went cold turkey back in the '80s and have not lit up since. You CAN and WILL resist the urge. Peace.