How do you stop bad habits?

Starfire · Oct 31, 2006

this may sound really cold, but i've found that quitting by instantly stopping is the hardest but often the best way to stop smoking... i'm a former smoker too and i've stopped that way...

nursemelani · Oct 31, 2006

What is the anti-depressant that they are using to help smokers quit? I think it starts with an M.

smoo · Oct 31, 2006

Zyban and Wellbutrin are a couple of the anti depressants used. There is also a new one out that is suppossed to be helpful, but I can't remember what it is called, it begins with CH, alot of help that is.

smoo

p.s. I am also a smoker who needs to quit. I can't smoke at clinicals. I go 8 hrs without a cig and am really fine, it only bothers me if I think about it and even then not that bad. But, the minute I get to my car, I light up and smoke 2 right in a row. Pathetic:o

chelli73 · Oct 31, 2006

I too, really need to quit. I want to go "cold turkey", but I am so afraid of the psychological damage I would do to myself--I WOULD FREAK OUT!!!! I am 20yr/1 pack daily (sometimes 1 1/2 pack, if I am STRESSED, which is often!), and I just HATE being a slave to nicotine.

Larry77, RN · Oct 31, 2006

I was a smoker for over 10 years and quit during my first quarter of nursing school. I tried to quit probably 30 times before it finally worked--always cold turkey. My biggest problem was going out for a few beers because this was the only time I really "liked" to smoke. The last time I quit smoking I just quit drinking also...well for probably 6 months anyway.

I agree that cold turkey is the best way to go. I always quit when I would get my annual bronchitis (haven't had it since I quit btw). Just keep trying and train yourself to HATE the habit and the control it has over you. I think it would probably be easier for me to quit now because it is becoming more and more inconvenient to smoke (in my state no smoking in any public place--even bars).

Gompers, BSN, RN · Oct 31, 2006

I've heard that hypnotherapy is a good way to quit smoking. I know several people who had ONE session, years ago, and haven't had a cigarette since. So you are physically going cold turkey, but psychologically your mindset is different.

loriannlpn · Oct 31, 2006

Zyban and Wellbutrin are a couple of the anti depressants used. There is also a new one out that is suppossed to be helpful, but I can't remember what it is called, it begins with CH, alot of help that is.
smoo
p.s. I am also a smoker who needs to quit. I can't smoke at clinicals. I go 8 hrs without a cig and am really fine, it only bothers me if I think about it and even then not that bad. But, the minute I get to my car, I light up and smoke 2 right in a row. Pathetic:o

I have tried Wellbutrin..... OMG! I could not complete a thought.. I was leaving one morning, forgot all of my books and things, but remembered to get my makeup and curling iron.... I went from my car back into the house 7x's, I was late for school... I decided that the effect it had on me for the two weeks was to much. Plus, it didnt help with the stopping of smoking.

loriannlpn · Oct 31, 2006

I too, really need to quit. I want to go "cold turkey", but I am so afraid of the psychological damage I would do to myself--I WOULD FREAK OUT!!!! I am 20yr/1 pack daily (sometimes 1 1/2 pack, if I am STRESSED, which is often!), and I just HATE being a slave to nicotine.

I have noticed in the last year a decline in my resps status. I am starting to sound like a smoker... I hate that. I smoke when I study, drive ect... It is like my best friend... How sad is that?

My nine year old is learning about smoking in school, how to say no! He comes home with new education for me everyday. I need to stop not only for me, but for him.

I am going to work on it.

How do you get away from the habit? Does anyone have helpful hints on the social aspect's of the habit?

loriannlpn · Oct 31, 2006

I have also heard of baroreceptor therapy. Instructors at my school said that they heard of it and from what they heard is you have the therapy and the habit is gone. I wonder if it is worth a try.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Oct 31, 2006

Loriann, I quit over 20 years ago. The key was putting down that last cigarette and putting off the next smoke. One day, one minute, one second at a time. I broke it down - "I will not go out and get cigarette this second, I'll decide in a minute. Next minute - o.k. I won't go out and get a cigarette for an hour, I'll mop the floor instead. After mopping the floor...........well you get it and soon the minutes added up to hours, to days, and to years. I wouldn't even allow me a single puff, becuase it's the first puff that starts the addiction. I keep it one day at a time. I consider myself a non-smoker and can't imagine ever smoking again, but I still don't get cocky and am greatful for each smoke free day and leave it at that.

I had to accept that there was going to be unpleasant side effect and there was. There was greif, depression, mood swings, insomnia and an energy that just wouldn't let me sit still, on top of headaches, hunger, weight gain and a body that just screamed and rebelled.

I made it through all of that.

You have to do those things you normally smoke through without a cigarette, as well as change your habits. If you normally study and smoke, try going to a public place like Starbucks, Barnes and Nobles or the school library. If you babysit, then take your kids. I always used to smoke in the morning with a cup of coffee. So instead I got up and immediately made the coffee, but took a shower, drank my coffee while standing up cleaning the house and getting ready. Eventually, I realized "I made it through a cup of coffee without a smoke. I made it through a drive to work without a smoke. I can do this again."

I immediately began an exercise program - jogging, and for me that was the key. Don't come up with excuses like "there school, kids, and I don't have time". A walk, a jog, anything without a cigarette that gets you huffing and puffing will clear your lungs and your head.

I didn't have the benefit of patches or antidepressants, but I'm not against them. I did listen to subliminal tapes during my walks. I'm not sure if they helped or not.

The main thing is right now you have the desire and you really want to quit for yourself, your kids, etc. So I'm confident that you will quit.

santhony44, MSN, RN, NP · Oct 31, 2006

Loriann, I quit over 20 years ago. The key was putting down that last cigarette and putting off the next smoke. One day, one minute, one second at a time.
You have to do those things you normally smoke through without a cigarette, as well as change your habits. If you normally study and smoke, try going to a public place like Starbucks, Barnes and Nobles or the school library. If you babysit, then take your kids. I always used to smoke in the morning with a cup of coffee. So instead I got up and immediately made the coffee, but took a shower, drank my coffee while standing up cleaning the house and getting ready. Eventually, I realized "I made it through a cup of coffee without a smoke. I made it through a drive to work without a smoke. I can do this again."

I've never been a smoker, Thank God, but Tweety's advice here is often given to those preparing to quit. Change the things that cue you to light up. Do something different from your usual pattern. Also, cleaning your house and vehicle and getting out as much of the smell of smoke as possible.

I once read that the average person who quits smoking has tried to quit seven different times- which means that some try many more times than that before they're successful. If you quit once and start back, don't give up, try again!

Some people are helped by the Zyban, patches, gum, etc. and others are not. The new drug approved to help with smoking cessation is called Chantix.

The best of luck to all of you trying to quit!