The nicotine patch worked for me, had tried it before and it did not seem to work but this time it did, I tried cold turkey many times, always failed, would just freak out, agitation, nervous wreck.

the patch was on my skin, and for quick release of cravings I chewed nicotine gum, or there is lozenges too, my doc, said it is ok to use the gum-lozenge while on patch, that Quitline-in my state I called for support, they also said OK to use gum-lozenge while on patch.

I would rub that patch, it is smooth, would absentmindedly rub it , that seemed to calm my nerves too
also music helped, deep breathing-Quitline told me how to do that.
Good luck, cold turkey can be done, but if you need help there are other ways too.

I also read Allen Carrs book on easy way to stop smoking, was recommended on here to read.

also read the old posts on here, many good ones
HUGS! Good luck Liliann

why are you insisting on going 'cold turkey'?

well i think first of all, you need to see your doctor and see what your options are and what is best for you.

i'm sorry to hear about your sister but while your situation with your sister may be a factor in your decision to quit, you must quit for you. you must really really want to quit . i would make a list of the reason YOU want to quit, copy and paste it everywhere. You have to have the correct mindset and a positive one in order for it to succeed. People you care about can be a factor in quitting but the heart of your quit has to come for you... how not smoking will benefit you.

your first stop is the doctor, then make a list, then do the research. if you go to groups in the upper right hand corner, click on it, go to good posts, there's a ton of information there.

Allen carr's book is another reason.

cold turkey is not the method for everyone. i did the patch and did great.

Hi,

Welcome. I'm Pete. I quit cold turkey. I was only able to manage this as I was in hospital for 8 days and then stuck in second floor flat where I couldn't smoke as I struggled to walk from room to room let alone up and down stairs every time the nicotine craved.

Having gone nearly a month smoke free, the cravings became hard once I slowly started getting on with my life. The only reason I didn't is because I did not want to have to go through it all again.

If you really need to quit AND just as importantly really, really want to quit, it can be done cold turkey. I had time to think about the reasons I smoked and what triggered me to light up and when. This is important to know.

However, cold turkey is not the only option. Most people here have quit using no smoking aids. It is not cheating to use these aids. It is ALL about quitting. However you decide to stop, you will find help here.

Good luck!!

hi Honey and welcome to the group. Quitting is hard but it is doable. aybe you need to consider a different quit method. I used the nic patch but thee are a number of methods. Why dont you contact an organization in your area that helps people quit or ask your Doc. Once you have chosen your method then come here each day for the pledge and rollcall that will kepp you accountable and motivated.
Good luck
Hugs Deb

Hi Liliann and welcome to our group. I quit cold turkey but I was ready and really wanted to not smoke anymore. I had a Plan B in place if Plan A (cold turkey) did not work. I think that just knowing I had a back-up plan helped me stick to staying with cold turkey. The early days of quitting are the toughest. You are not only detoxing from nicotine, you are also just beginning to train your brain to overcome triggers that will bring on a crave. It's part of the process and unfortunately there is no magic pill that eliminate the discomfort of staring down the nicodemon. You have been given great advice. See your doctor first and discuss quitting aids that your doctor thinks are safe for your use. They can be your Plan B. One quick tip that really helped me was to suck on a whole clove. They are not expensive. The flavor is intense but keeps your breath smelling great and makes cigarettes taste like crap. I found I did not even want to smoke for at least 2 hours after sucking on a clove for about 20 minutes. The flavor is not for everyone but if you like clove then consider giving this a try. Wishing you the very best with your quit!

I, like others, have also quit cold turkey but it was definitely a process and I was very ready. Having said that, it was also 14 of the toughest days I've ever had or hope to ever have.

For the first few days it was a minute to minute struggle to NOT light up...and no amount of food, drink, music or breathing really made it easier. It was a conscious choice to wait out the pain because yes, it is painful...physically, mentally and emotionally painful to deny yourself that WANT of a cig.

I say all of that to say this, no matter how painful these days have been for me, I am so very glad I did it. I am on day 20 of not smoking.

I told myself for years I wanted to quit, that I needed to quit and I tried to quit, time and time again for years and each time I failed. I lost my father to cancer when I was 12 years old, I knew why I should not be smoking, I knew and I still smoked for years.

The process that got me to quit smoking for these 20 days did not begin 20 days ago, the process began the first time I tried to quit and continued through each failed attempt.

What I mean by that is, each failed attempted taught me something to help me prepare for the next attempt, AND it made me stronger and more ready for the next one.

For 3 years I've been preparing for this day, for the day I can say with certainty I am a former smoker, not because I quit smoking but because I quit and I no longer want to smoke.

I've been building to this quit, I have changed cig brands (changed to roll your own to keep better track and make myself more aware of every cig I smoked), I limited where and when I smoked (we started by only smoking downstairs, then in the living room and finally outside), I changed most of my smoking habits (I delayed my coffee cig until I had to go to the bathroom or get a second cup, I waited at least 30 minutes after a meal before lighting up, I stopped smoking before bed, I did forget one the one I had with my husband when he came home from work and we talked about his day...20 days later I still have anxiety between 3 and 4p although it is getting less).

My advice, keep changing your behavior, smoke less, smoke in different locations, limit where and when you smoke...change as much as you can about your smoking habit to help lessen the triggers when you quit.

You can do this, you are strong enough, that is probably the most important thing, you knowing you are strong enough to go through the horrible days of withdraw and live.