Stop Smoking, Helping Each Other to Quit

[malcolminthemiddle]

6 minutes to close of registration

[tuky]

30 years old, smoke 40 + when not drinking, when drinking up to 80 a day. Promised my wife I would quit but I am not sure I can.

help

[malcolminthemiddle]

Registration is now closed.

We have 35 registered members including Tywais for who I given the benefit of the doubt, Mrs Manum is on stand by I am waiting her confirmation of registration.

A full list will be posted shortly.

[dr_Pat_Pong]

Registration is now closed.

We have 35 registered members including Tywais for who I given the benefit of the doubt, Mrs Manum is on stand by I am waiting her confirmation of registration.

A full list will be posted shortly.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

CONGRATULATIONS MAL.... go for it. I am not a reformed smoker, rather, I am now an informed non smoker and I too thought it impossible.

[Tywais]

Sorry about that, yes I really do want/need to stop so please register me also even

though it is now 5:20pm past deadline...

Hi tywais,

Are you asking to be registered? Registration is for people who know thay want to stop, you sound as if you are not sure?

[malcolminthemiddle]

Thanks to everyone who has taken the time to register.

I had started to welcome each of you on board individually, but the sudden in flux made that a little difficult, so apologies if you didn't receive an individual welcome.

Below is a list of all the smokers who have registered their intent to stop. If your name is not here and you think it should be, please let me know. We have 35 members, 33 of you are men and 2 ladies, I think.

Just for the record, Lourens has promised to pay for the end of programme party and Elfe has offered to be "very friendly" if the programme works for her.

The rules of our forum are simple and are my rules, from now on in only registered members will be allowed to post.

I plan to post Step 2 on Monday, meanwhile enjoy the rest of the weekend.

Peter991

Kringle

Mrs Manum

JockStar

Wilgus

Hajo

Ady277

TallThai

Pjallittle

Ravisher

ray23

wolfie

canadian

h90

mpdkorat

JuniorExpat

mickey

nam

lourens

iceangel

pandit35

pschef

e-rik

tors

RBO

viet60

teco

kon dee

joopderooij

amestigon

thaipauly

Bull

elfe

tukyleith

tywais

[Foggy Bottom]

Sign me up.

I am 60 and smoked since I was 13. Had a quad bypass at 48. Now have emphysema and smoke 30 cigarettes per day.

I have quit a few times for a few weeks or few months but find I can't stand the misery. It does not get easier for me as the time goes by, it gets more difficult, even after 9 months. I quit for 9 months after the bypass out of fear. But the misery outweighed the fear.

Tried most things, even hypnotism... It is not the quitting that is so difficult, it is living with the craving that I cannot stand.

Ravisher.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

My grandmother smoked for 50 years - pack a day - and was told to quit in her 70's - soon as she did emphysema set in and she died due to not having her morning "smoker's hack" to clear her lungs - the specialist at the hospital said if she hadn't quit, she'd have had another ten years.

Senior medical opinion is moving heavily towards NOT quitting if you've smoked more than 30 years.

My sister is a consultant haematological analyst at a major UK hospital path lab - her data from 20 years of study shows that smokers of ready made cigarettes make up 99%+ of lung cancer victims who smoke - cigars, roll-your-owns and pipe tobacco smokers are less than 1% - she believes it is the saltpetre in ready mades that causes the lung cancer .... which may also explain the higher than average lung cancer incidences amongst military types and gun nuts (both smokers and non-smokers) - the cartridge powder also contains saltpetre (causing the acrid smell of gunsmoke) and they inhale a lot of it when shooting.

[iplay]

56, male. I spend time in Bangkok (where I can't stop smoking 2 packs daily) and UK (where it doesn't bother me to stop smoking completely). Strange I'd love to stop in Bangkok too.

[erain]

Hi I am 30, Smoke 1 and half pack a day [email protected] , tried to quit once while taking medication but lost health insurance card so could not continue (or an excuse i give to myself)

please sign me up !!

[ProfessorFart]

Good luck to one and all especially Jockstrap! Hahahahaha.......

[george]

This thread is now closed, awaiting Part 2 on Monday.

Good luck!

/admin

[malcolminthemiddle]

Forum is now back open

Over the weekend a couple of new members have been added; unfortunately Mrs Manum didn't confirm; here is the definite final list of 38 members. Please only posts from these people from now on.

Peter991

Kringle

JockStar

Wilgus

Hajo

Ady277

TallThai

Pjallittle

Ravisher

ray23

wolfie

canadian

h90

mpdkorat

JuniorExpat

mickey

nam

lourens

iceangel

pandit35

pschef

e-rik

tors

RBO

viet60

teco

kon dee

joopderooij

amestigon

thaipauly

Bull

elfe

tukyleith

tywais

Neeranam

garysdth

jaloochapurr

erain

[dr_Pat_Pong]

Admins wish you all every bit of luck

[malcolminthemiddle]

Step 2 Self Education

The second step is self education; we all know that smoking is bad for our health but why does it feel so enjoyable and why is it so difficult to stop?

This second step will teach you to understand your addiction, only then can you control and break it for good; you are to become experts on the subject of "Nicotine Addiction".

For those of you, who think you know (all) the answers, please bare with those who do not.

When I decided to quit, my point of reference was a web site called http://whyquit.com/ There are loads of other informative web sites out there, but for our project this is the one we shall use.

Your next task is simple; you are all to go to http://whyquit.com/ and read and read and read.

To police your self education; I will begin posting questions directed at individual members.

1. All the answers can be found within http://whyquit.com/

2. Clues are available if you need them, just ask, and will be given at my discretion

3. Only the designated member is allowed to answer their own question.

4. If you fail to post your answer within a reasonable time you will be given extra homework.

5. If you would like to volunteer for extra homework; just ask.

6. While you are reading the different articles within http://whyquit.com/, you will come across a fact, an issue, something that catches your attention; we shall call this a "Wake Up Call".

During Step 2 each registered member must post at least one "Wake Up Call". "Wake Up Calls" can be posted at any time, they must be identified as a "Wake Up Call", repetition is not allowed.

Here is an example of a "Wake Up Call".

"To get a sense of what it feels like to breathe with emphysema take a deep breath and hold it. Without letting out any air, take in another deep breath. Hold that one too. One more time, take in one more breath. Okay let it all out.

That second or third breath is what it feels like to breathe when you have advanced emphysema. Emphysema is a disease where you cannot exhale air. Everyone thinks that it is a disease where you cannot inhale but in fact it is the opposite. When you smoke you destroy the lungs elasticity by destroying the tissue that pulls your lung back together after using muscles that allow us to inhale air. So when it comes time to take your next breath it is that much more difficult, for your lungs could not get back to their original shape. "

A few other things for this post;

1. Don't forget to follow other members Q & A.

2. If you want to drop out at any time, please say so, do not sit on the fence, be pro-active and contribute.

3. This is going to be a team effort, support each other, ask any questions you may have, offer any opinions.

4. Please, direct all posts at me.

5. I retain the right to expel any registered member who fails to follow the forum rules.

For you sleepers out there; (smokers who have not registered but are following the thread) DO NOT GO AWAY. Your opportunity to join the group publicly will come; meanwhile please remember your "Wake Up Call"; you will need it later.

And finally, so that you all know; sometime in the near future I will be setting the day when you will all, together, stop smoking. For all of you including those of you who decide to stop before this date; here is our forum slogan:

NEVER TAKE ANOTHER PUFF

[Neeranam]

I didn't have a cig. yeasterday unil 7pm, then I thought I would have only one more before I went to bed. At 10pm, i said "what the f#@#" and had 6 more one after another.

Well today is another day, bloody hard as it is a holiday.

[malcolminthemiddle]

Tywais,

The first question is for you.

When you registered, you said:

......................, never figured out why I started again.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

According to whyquit.com there are only two good reasons to take a puff once you have stopped.

What are these good reasons?

[malcolminthemiddle]

Peter991,

Your question. When you registered you said:

Tried without success a few times, using gum (upset my stomach), patches and Zyban.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

How does Whyquit.com answer the following statement;

"I can't quit alone. I'll need nicotine gum, the patch, hypnosis, acupuncture, magic herbs or other wonder drugs!"

I'll give you a clue, your answer starts

"Wrong! The simple truth is that no magic cure has ever " made " any smoker quit smoking nicotine. ............................................."

[smaartie]

Dear sir ,

Please register me for this project

Regards

Smaartie

[malcolminthemiddle]

Canadian,

Your question.

Within http://whyquit.com/ there is a list of famous people who died young from a smoke related disease, list the 10 names you most recognise, include their age, profession and cause of death.

[Neeranam]

Good site.

I bought a pack of malboro light last night and it was the first pack I saw with the new health warning. Let's hope that was the last pack I buy.

I was thinking of puting stopping off til tomorrow, but we all know tomorrow never comes!

[malcolminthemiddle]

tors,

Here is your question.

When you registered you said:

........................ but unfortunately started again in a period of stress;

so I could use some help...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

How does whyquit .com response to the following statement:

"It reduces my stress and helps calm me down."

For you a clue also, your answer starts:

" This health intellectualization is false. The body's pH balance is delicate. Nicotine is an alkaloid and stress an acid producing event. ............................."

[malcolminthemiddle]

Dear sir ,

            Please register me for this project

Regards

Smaartie

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Sorry Smaartie,

Registration is closed, however please feel free to follow the thread as a "Sleeper", your opportunity to join will come later.

[malcolminthemiddle]

Wolfie,

Your question.

The definition of the Law of Addiction within whyquit.com is:

"Administration of a drug to an addict will cause reestablishment

of chemical dependence upon the addictive substance."

Complete the following:

"If you have remained nicotine free for 72 hours then your blood is now 100% nicotine free. Your withdrawal symptoms have peaked and are now beginning to gradually subside. ....................................................."

[malcolminthemiddle]

iceangle,

Here is your question.

.................... I smoked for 6 yrs then gave it up but started again after my marriage dissolved! ..........................

.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Complete the following:

The Perfect Excuse

The excuse can be anything. Usually the addict waits for that great excuse to come along, ...............................................

[malcolminthemiddle]

Kringle,

Here is your question.

When you registered you said:

.............................and smoke even more when out shooting pool and drinking beer.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

How does whyquit .com respond to the following statement

"I like to smoke when I drink and I find myself smoking even more."

I'll give you a clue, your answer starts:

" The effects of drinking and stress upon our body's nicotine level are the same. You smoke more when you drink not because you "like" to but because you MUST in order to keep your body's nicotine level within the comfort range, so that it does not experience the symptoms of early withdrawal. ........................................................"

Edited April 11, 2005 by malcolminthemiddle

[skills32]

I too want to Quit. Have tried many times.Male 62

40cig/day

[malcolminthemiddle]

Jockstar,

When you registered, you said:

........................I have cut down from 20 a day to about 7 a day.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Your homework is to complete the following statement:

"I am addicted to a substance that is five times as addictive as cocaine (15% vs. 75%). I may be strong enough to cut back a bit but I'll remain addicted, ............................................."

[malcolminthemiddle]

jaloochapurr,

Your homework is to post the "Quit Smoking Tip Sheet"

[malcolminthemiddle]

Hi Ravisher,

When you registered, you said:

...................................It is not the quitting that is so difficult, it is living with the craving that I cannot stand.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Your homework is to complete the following:

" Just like the lingering thought of a nice juicy steak, lobster in butter sauce, or fresh baked hot apple pie, you can make yourself "think" about having a cigarette all day long, if that's what you really want to do. .........................................."

[malcolminthemiddle]

h90,

When you registered, you said:

........................In my office incl. my wife everyone is smoking and cigarrets are all the time in reachable arrea.

............................

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Complete the following statement:

" Procrastation recovery denial makes the next puff of toxins easier to suck down. Nicotine tells this junkie that they cannot quit until their friend or loved one quits too as they're around their smoke, smells, cigarettes, breath and ashtrays, and quitting is thus impossible. It's pure denial and often both friends or loved ones use the other as their excuse to remain enslaved. .................................................."