Can You Really Quit Smoking Cold Turkey
Author: Jonty Smith
To kick a habit like smoking with sheer willpower is really a fantasy in the mind of most smokers. I should know, I used to smoke two packs a day. The idea of quitting smoking cold turkey "just like that" was a dream I entertained, usually when I was smoking! But is it a realistic prospect?
As a former smoker, I would have to say that to quit smoking cold turkey is absolutely possible, but with certain conditions - namely the altering of one's mindset. Something that non-smokers fail to understand is the extent to which smokers develop an emotional attachment with their habit. When I smoked, cigarettes seemed to fill the hole of just about every emotion for me. If I was anxious, I would smoke. If I was ecstatic, I would smoke. If I was bored, I would smoke. If I drank, I would smoke. Cigarettes weren't just a habit - they were an extension of me.
I believe that is something many smokers can empathise with. Non-smokers see it as just a habit, whereas smokers are well-aware that cigarettes have become part of their identity. It's not just a simple case of stopping a habit...it's a case of slicing off a limb. It's like one is saying goodbye to an old friend, feeling they will never be quite the same again.
So with this in mind, it seems like a monumental task to quit smoking cold turkey. It's like breaking up with a boyfriend or girlfriend you have a deep love/hate relationship with, but then having that same partner move in next door to you. You have to live with the knowledge that this partner, with whom you shared such a deep relationship, is just around the corner. To attempt to kick smoking overnight is like being told "Okay, now avoid thinking about your ex and under no circumstances knock on her door."
If we could all ditch the tobacco habit without any kickbacks, then we would surely do so. According to non-smokers, it's simply a question of willpower. But it is far, far more than that. Willpower is just about having the mental fortitude to get through the day and to "suck it up". Quitting smoking has more emotional gravitas than that. Rather than simply getting through the day, it's about being able to let go. It's about being able to make your peace with the habit and wave it farewell.
Millions of people manage to quit smoking cold turkey, but I have no doubt the vast majority of them are haunted by smoking for the rest of their lives, just as we would be by our ex-partner living next door to us. If you wish to beat smoking for good, simply ensure that you are changing your mindset while you're at it. It shouldn't need "willpower". You have to fall out of love with smoking, you have to know why it's a bad habit, you have to know why you don't need it, you have to know why it's not a part of you. You need to answer all these questions to quit the habit for good, and ensure that being an ex-smoker isn't a day-to-day battle for the years to come.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/quit-smoking-articles/can-you-really-quit-smoking-cold-turkey-42344.html
About the Author
Jonty Smith is a former smoker of 10 years. In 2006 he finally managed to quit the habit for good. If you wish to reclaim your health like Jonty did, then read his story which is located at http://www.How-I-Stopped-Smoking.com
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how many poeple quit smoking cold turkey?
thumbs up for yes and thumbs down for no is fine. i tried quitting before, tries cold turkey, and aroma therapy wasn’t sucesful. i have many reasons to quit and i want to, but i have a good reason to smoke and that’s i just need a cigarett. been smoking for 10 years, i cut down to 6-10 per day, but i am still heavily addicted, i feel like mentally and physically i really need each one of those cogaretts. please help!
I did – it was hard, had to sit on my hands a lot. Weirdly, every time I started craving I tried to substitute it with drinking water, and it worked. Of course drinking the water helped remove the chemicals from my system, so that was a bonus too.
Tring to quit smoking cold turkey I’m doing better only smoking a few ciggs a day have any tips and food seems
To taste bad to me know it just don’t taste right to me
just think of ur baby, thats the best tip I can think of. as soon as I even thought I might be pregnant I quit cold turkey. you dont want a baby with health problems.
How will my body react when I quit smoking cold turkey?
My smoking is pretty bad. I started in 2004 @ age 19 as a social smoker, now I’m hitting 2 packs a day.
When I quit I want to go to sleep for 8-9 hours so that my body will have a head start on getting it out of my system. BUT, I dread how my body will react. Any idea of what it’ll be like?
It’ll be hard as shit. Good luck, don’t be discouraged. It’s unpleasant, but possible. You’ll feel free afterwards.
– Davey
How to quit smoking cold turkey?
My friend, a 14 year old male, smokes cigarettes about 6 times a day. he’s tried gum and sunflower seeds, but he really wants to quit cold turkey. any ideas?
Here is what I would recommend:
1) Use the patch and start on step 3. I used to smoke and when I did this, I started on step 2 because I was around 1-2 packs a day and couldn’t afford the patch long enough to do all 3 steps. I never felt a craving of nicotine on step 2 though
2) Have a pack of gum on hand at all times for when the oral fixation occurs
3) Do not drink alcohol for 2-3 months at least as these are the times it is most difficult for a newly non-smoker to not have one
4) kindly ask your friends who are smokers to not smoke when your friend is around. If they are true friends, they will happily take to this request.
5) Get some exercise because quitting smoking tends to add 15-20 pounds on.
* get past the 1st week and it gets easier from there.
Quit smoking cold turkey 3 days ago. Fine until now. Why does it always become worse on the 3rd day?
I have tried before cold turkey and the same thing. It is great until the 3rd day. Is it going to get worse? Because if this is only a week or two I can “Just say no.” Anything more and I’m on my way to the store ASAP.
those desires to smoke are called cravings.. people in support groups have some tools to deal with them.. one of my favorites is known as the 5d’s
Distract (do something else) for instance its hard to smoke doing dishes
Delay (i don’t need one right now).. continued delays = a quit!!
Discuss you did that by asking the question, people in support groups do it in meetings or e-mails
Drink Water, it helps reduce cravings, and flushes toxins
Deep breathe, most smokers only breathe deeply when inhaling!!
the good news is that i now have been quit for over 5 years.. i quit trying to quit alone, and joined a support group.. i attend nicotine anonymous meetings both locally and on line.. on line voice meetings are he as close as your computer, and you can attend while still smoking, before actually attempting a quit.. however you decide to quit good luck, there is simply no wrong way to quit!!
Nicotine Anonymous is a Non-Profit 12 Step Fellowship of men and women helping each other live nicotine-free lives. Nicotine Anonymous welcomes all those seeking freedom from nicotine addiction, including those using cessation programs and nicotine withdrawal aids. The primary purpose of Nicotine Anonymous is to help all those who would like to cease using tobacco and nicotine products in any form. The Fellowship offers group support and recovery using the 12 Steps as adapted from Alcoholics Anonymous to achieve abstinence from nicotine.