Ex Smoker Advice

[Ravenshire]

I would recommend an e-cigarette with 0mg e-liquid. No nicotine, no stink.

The FDA claiming they can't be used as a cessation device is bad humor of the worst sort. Patches didn't work, gum didn't work, lozenges didn't work but the e-cigs have. Smoke free (mostly) since 08-21-13. Had one bad day with an allergic reaction to one of the flavors and had to stop. Worst day of my life because I'm not free of the nicotine yet (down to 12mg after starting at 36mg). I did learn that there's no way I'm going back on the fucking cancer sticks again.

[DarkHorse]

Does anyone know of any healthier alternatives?

I afraid not.

I quit for a year and a half and still got to a point where all I wanted whenever I had a drink was a cigarette. So I did.
I realized that unless I quit drinking, I'm always going to want to smoke. Problem solved: I only smoke when I drink. A pack of smokes last me about a week now and I never EVER smoke unless I'm drinking socially. I have strict rules about it.

Yeah, I know it's still smoking but it's a hell of a lot healthier than I use to be (pack a day) and its the only compromise that would worked for me.

Plus, I don't give a fuck what people think. "It's my goddamn body and anyone who doesn't like my life decisions can tongue-punch my fart box."

For a few months before I quit for good, I only smoked a few when I would go out to drink, and have one with the first cup of coffee for the day. I've also thought about just having it when I go out drinking (which doesn't happen very often anyway), but I'm not sure whether I'll be able to keep it that way forever. If I knew for a fact I could, I would do it that way.

Thanks guys and girls! Feeling a bit better, and just keep telling myself it will pass. Can't stay like this forever.

[Cinjin]

Fantastic, so you'll be for any smoking related health issues yourself then?

Every smoker accepts the risks. That's rather obvious.

Every coal miner accepts the risks to his health - both accidental and long term.
Every drill rig operator accepts the risks to his health.
Every douche bag that stuffs his face with fast food every day at lunchtime accepts the risks to his health.

Better yet ...
Every one who rides a motorcycle or bungee jumps or sky dives or climbs in a speed boat on the fourth of July. The list goes on and on of unnecessary things people like to do to enhance and enjoy their lives.

I know some smokers who have died. I know many smokers who have not.
My only point is: Everything in moderation. (including moderation)

I know a jogger who ran on the beach his whole life. He never moderated his jogging. One day, he keeled over dead on the beach because his "strong" heart and body just gave out. No heart disease. No cholesterol. Doctors were stumped. Everything in moderation - just like my smoking: a little here and there - I don't want to end up like that dumb-fuck jogger.

PS.
I'd rather have 50 years of steak, sex and cigarettes than 75 years of soy food and discipline. True, life is beautiful, but life is god damn fucking gorgeous when it's chewed, tasted and experienced for all the dangers it has to offer. For those who don't want to smoke - that's great. Keep your self-righteous horse shit to yourself.

Cheers

[Cyberman]

I've often thought about giving up smoking. Thing is, though, to do that I'd have to start smoking first, and it just seems like too much trouble.

[MJ the Skeptical]

Advice?

Weed, and lots of it.

[DarkHorse]

Love your answer Cinjin! Fucking A!

[downbeatplumb]

It's been more than a year since I had my last cigarette. I still got the occasional craving from time to time, especially during moments of stress or sadness. Other times it came from standing with a smoker and having a drink. It never lasts very long though. Until about two days ago. It's constant, and I feel I'm going crazy. It's such a battle. I never thought it would be this bad again. Especially not after such a long time. My life is all over the place at the moment, big changes and decisions I need to make, so that fact's making it 100 times worse.

Does anyone know of any healthier alternatives? I even thought of a cigar, but that's basically the same thing, and I've heard is actually worse. Gum, food, etc doesn't help. I thought of electronic cigarettes, but as I'm not addicted to nicotine anymore, and it's all a mind thing now, I'm afraid I become addicted to the nicotine in that thing, lol.

Also, if anyone else here has been an ex smoker for longer than a year, please tell me if this is normal?

Have a baby then move somewhere where the weather is shitty so you can't go outside to smoke.

Worked for me...I quit in 1997.