Stupid, pointless habit

I started smoking socially when I was in college. I would never smoke when I wasn't out having drinks with friends. Now, it has been a few years & I still smoke when I drink (once a week, usually). Somedays, not all, but some I'll have one (cigarette) in the evening or maybe on my way somewhere. I have decided to stop smoking period...which may mean that I have to stop having drinks w/husband/friends all together because I'm not sure if I can fight it after a drink. Anyone else have experience with this? Any insights or POSITIVE tips? Motivation?

Wed. Aug 29, 3:51pm

Have you read Allan Carr's Easy Way to Quit Smoking? This books treats all smoking addictions equally, whether it is one cig a day or 10 a day.

It has worked for MANY people I know, at all levels of smoking addiction. I am trying it now. It is my second time reading it. I am just going to keep trying....

One of my friend's had to read it 3 times before it worked. But hey, for a 7 dollar paper back, it is totally worth it to break free of the habit, right?

Wednesday, August 29, 2007, 4:14 PM

what really worked for me was the ad they ran in NYC recently of them squeezing all this crap out of a dead 30 year old guys aorta after his autopsy. Smoking causes lots of heart attacks and that did it for me. but hey, don't let that stop you.

Wednesday, August 29, 2007, 4:15 PM

My dad has emphysema (spelling).

Yeah, watching him just kind of did it for me.

Wednesday, August 29, 2007, 5:09 PM

My dad smoked for 50+ years and quit on a number of occasions. He had cluster headaches caused by smoking and probably emphysema. My aunt (his sister) died of lung cancer (smoker too) and he finally quit for good. It has been about 10 years. SO don't ever give up because if he could quit, I think anyone could....50 years is a long time to smoke.

Wednesday, August 29, 2007, 7:19 PM

thank you all for your responses!!! i am going to check out the book that you suggested, 1st poster. thank you!

Wednesday, August 29, 2007, 7:30 PM

Good luck! (to you and me both)

Wednesday, August 29, 2007, 8:54 PM

Stupid, pointless habit

Good on you!! i think that checking Alan Carr's book out is about the best thing that you can do. Honestly. Please do!! I smoked heavily for 14 years and tried to stop many many times. It never stuck, I was miserable, cranky and a pain in the back side. After I read Alan's book, I put out my last cigarette and that was it. I had no cravings, I drank (and had quite a few) within two weeks, still socialised with my friends who smoked and honestly did not miss it one bit. That was over almost two years ago and I haven't looked back. Unfortunately my partner and my best friend still both smoke and I am never tempted. I wish you all the very best. You can, and will do it. Good on you!! :)

Thursday, August 30, 2007, 4:19 AM

if you cannot control yourself from acting on impulses and/or urges, such as smoking, when you drink alcohol, i think you should assess your drinking habits as well as addess your smoking hobby.

Thursday, August 30, 2007, 8:45 AM

I smoked like you for a while and mine escalated. I got quit but it took 5 years! Congrats on recognising the need to quit now. And don't listen to people who poo poo your 1 cig/day and it won't be hard to quit. You CAN do it, and it sounds like you are ready for the effort. Good luck

Thursday, August 30, 2007, 10:39 AM

OP here, I really want to tell all of you that I appreciate all of your helpful suggestions, ideas & inspiration. I am so happy that I reached out to you guys for some added support! We can do this!!!!!

Thursday, August 30, 2007, 10:54 AM

The only way to quit smoking is to WANT to. If it's not in you to quit, no amount of books will help, it's an act of the will, much like food addiction.

Thursday, August 30, 2007, 12:47 PM

Well, you read a book to help you quit because you WANT to quit. So books can help you. Perhaps the book I initially suggested doesn't help everyone, I just know a lot of people who it has helped. They really believed in it.

I'm sorry, but quitting smoking can be very very difficult and daunting, even if you WANT it badly. If a book and it's methods help, then so be it.

You need to want it - but you also need to change your way of thinking and your approuch to habits. For some of us to be successful, its a process...

Thursday, August 30, 2007, 12:54 PM

i agree with you 12.54pm poster 150%. I wanted to quit, then I read the book. For those who are saying that a book won't help, fair dinkum!, please don't knock it until you have read it, or walked the journey that 12.54, myself and a huge number of my friends and people world wide have. If further evidence is needed, visit ALan Carrs website. I'd also like to to say to the person who commented about "drinking habits and a smoking "hobbyy", fairs fair, we don't know details, we can't make comment about this. and I sure as heck know that smoking is no hobby..if it were, more people would be able to stop and just stay stopped. But I digress, what we do know is that there is one brave person, who has made a really healthy choice, who wants to take back control and is about to embark on a journey into increased health, and freedom from addiction. With respect, this person needs all the support, help, motivation and assistance that they can get, not negativity or glib comments. :)

Thursday, August 30, 2007, 4:24 PM

O.P. here again, thank you 12:54 & 4:24. I feel like drinking triggers the desire for a cigarette. Literally, one glass of wine & suddenly I'll crave a cigarette. To 12:47 it isn't as if I'm binging & unable to control my actions. I hadn't decided to quit before, now I have made that decision & I want to gather all the support I can so that I do succeed. I learned how to smoke, like I said, in college as I was learning to enjoy the taste of beer & wine. I believe that they have become deeply associated in my mind & possible my chemistry.
I have order the book from Amazon & have not smoked since Sat. Woohoo! It has not been easy.

Thursday, August 30, 2007, 4:48 PM

Just FYI, I haven't had a drink either. I think I'll stay away from one for awhile until I feel more confident that it wont lead to 1 cigarette.

Thursday, August 30, 2007, 4:51 PM

There you go, now that how you "want" it - you stay away from triggers. Best of luck to you!

Thursday, August 30, 2007, 8:48 PM

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