So I smoked my last cigerette today and hopefully it will be the final one. Does anyone have any tips or tricks to make quitting successful?

SGT Matt Haase — Mon, 01 Aug 2016 03:33:29 -0400

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 1 at 2016 4:05 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 01 Aug 2016 04:05:03 -0400

Do more PT. One side effect of smoking is weight loss, nicotine suppresses appetite. You will want to eat more often.

Response by PO3 David Fries made Aug 1 at 2016 4:47 AM

PO3 David Fries — Mon, 01 Aug 2016 04:47:28 -0400

Honestly it's a little different for everyone. I dropped mine, walked away, and never smoked again. My wife needed pharmaceutical help. Some people use vaping, or prefer the step down method. Find what works for you and stick to it.

Response by SPC James Harsh made Aug 1 at 2016 7:14 AM

SPC James Harsh — Mon, 01 Aug 2016 07:14:21 -0400

72 hours for actual cravings, after that it's like a week or two to get rid of habit which is easier than dealing with bouts of not smoking such as every couple hours or after eating. I need to quit again, I stopped drinking just not tobacco. Good luck

Response by TSgt Joe C. made Aug 1 at 2016 7:41 AM

TSgt Joe C. — Mon, 01 Aug 2016 07:41:57 -0400

I quit cigars cold turkey in 2000...haven't thought about them since SGT Matt Haase. I'd recommend keeping your time occupied, the less you think about it, the less you'll want them.

Response by MAJ Rene De La Rosa made Aug 1 at 2016 8:42 AM

MAJ Rene De La Rosa — Mon, 01 Aug 2016 08:42:49 -0400

Nicotine is the most addictive substance on the face of the planet, worse than heroine, cocaine, or any other illicit drug available. I applaud you for stopping, but make sure you have back-up plans in case you regress.
https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/tobacco/nicotine-addictive

Is Nicotine Addictive?

Most smokers identify tobacco use as harmful and express a desire to reduce or stop using it, and nearly 35 million want to quit each year.

Response by Alan K. made Aug 1 at 2016 8:46 AM

Alan K. — Mon, 01 Aug 2016 08:46:40 -0400

Well I had to re-find this post, figured it would be here.i had a book written for you and somehow deleted...!!! Take 2: First off great job quitting, very difficult to put down a habit. after 3 days you will lose the all the time cravings unless you use the patch...After a few weeks you will be GTG. I smoked for 24 years. Kids were my motivation, so a pic in the pack leading up to my planned quitting date helped a lot. someone gave me a set of patches when they were $100 a set in '94. 2 things helped me greatly. Walking through the smoking area of an office building where dozens of people were smoking 2 at a time during break and it stunk so bad I never wanted that smell on me again and I called them losers on the way through....!!! Also get a treadmill and a heavy bag! Good luck SGT, send me a message if you feel the need to smoke....You won't when we're done!.

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made Aug 1 at 2016 9:01 AM

Cpl Justin Goolsby — Mon, 01 Aug 2016 09:01:10 -0400

For some people, it's just the fixation of having something in your mouth to keep you from smoking. Some people switch to gum, others chew sunflower seeds. The easiest way to make quitting permanent is to keep it off your mind. If you think about cigarettes, you're going to want a cigarette. Try replacing your smoke breaks with something else to keep your mind off it. We're creatures of habit and like routine. You just need a new routine.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 1 at 2016 9:39 AM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 01 Aug 2016 09:39:12 -0400

Drop the hopefully. You made a good decision, now you must make sure you live by that decision. It is up to you and your determination.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Aug 1 at 2016 9:50 AM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Mon, 01 Aug 2016 09:50:23 -0400

When I quit the first time for a year I took up Running 5Ks. Replaced the Experience with Rasins, they give you a sugar rush like the Nicotine and the After Taste is very Similar. It took a couple tries, I haven had a Cigarette in 19 years now. If you don't like the Shin Splints that come with Running try riding a bicycle, I have a Mongoose and it is pretty good exercise.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 1 at 2016 10:09 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 01 Aug 2016 10:09:14 -0400

Drink water. And change your socks.

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 1 at 2016 10:48 AM

Cpl Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 01 Aug 2016 10:48:19 -0400

Chantix was what I used to quit in 2008. Haven't looked back.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Aug 1 at 2016 11:02 AM

CSM Charles Hayden — Mon, 01 Aug 2016 11:02:42 -0400

SGT Matt Haase Do you understand what Nicotine does to your system and how it affects your body?

IMO, A 'hit' of Copenhagen provides a higher jolt to your system as it constricts the blood vessels. 'Cope' or Mail Pouch also give you the oral gratification of having something to play w/ in your mouth.

My mother died of lung carcinoma.

Response by CPT Gary Jugenheimer made Aug 1 at 2016 11:22 AM

CPT Gary Jugenheimer — Mon, 01 Aug 2016 11:22:50 -0400

What I did to stop was to fill a large coffee can with old butts and ashes....kept it covered next to my work area and when I had the urge to smoke, I removed the cover and inhaled the stench of the butts and ashes...this dissuaded me from lighting up and worked very effectively in ending the habit...

Response by SGT Alejandro Sarandrea made Aug 1 at 2016 1:40 PM

SGT Alejandro Sarandrea — Mon, 01 Aug 2016 13:40:16 -0400

Commitment is key. Just don't smoke. It's that easy. Stop filling your head up with other crap and poor excuses.

Response by SFC Bill Snyder made Aug 1 at 2016 6:35 PM

SFC Bill Snyder — Mon, 01 Aug 2016 18:35:18 -0400

I quit back in 2003. My Doctor prescribed Chantex? With a 90 day program. After 30 days, dropped out and hadn't had one since. Put a few pounds though.

Response by ENS Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 1 at 2016 6:46 PM

ENS Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 01 Aug 2016 18:46:05 -0400

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member something I learned from a BUD/S Instructor - phrases like "I should" or "I want" or "I wish" and words like "maybe" are shallow. By saying that, you are opening the door to self doubt and giving yourself the permission to quit when things get hard. Instead say, "that was my last one", tell yourself that you will not, under any circumstance, smoke another one, and that instead, even at your weakest, you will find a different outlet. Use strong affirmative words - say them out loud so you HEAR them. Never use maybes, wants, wishes, or should.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 1 at 2016 7:18 PM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 01 Aug 2016 19:18:05 -0400

First, congratulations on taking the first step. Second, identify your triggers, what makes you want to light-up. Third, enlist the help of your friends and family.

I quit four days after I retired and I know how hard it can be. You can NOT do it by yourself. SFC Private RallyPoint Member, is absolutely correct. Be prepared to put on a few pounds. You will need to be ready and be working to MAINTAIN. Drink more water, it will help. Stay away from sodas, alcohol, sport's drinks, etc. They are LOADED with salt and sugars. Even diet drinks. Limit your caffeine intact as well.

Good Luck!

Response by MSG Dan Castaneda made Aug 2 at 2016 12:50 PM

MSG Dan Castaneda — Tue, 02 Aug 2016 12:50:23 -0400

I smoked and dipped Copenhagen for 20 years and quit with a vape. While I am still on a vape, my nicotine level is very low. I still enjoy the blowing of smoke but have not had a cigarette nor dip in over a year. I know there is still a lot of research that needs to come to light in regards to vaping, but at a very minimum I enjoy not smelling like cigarette. Good luck to you.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 2 at 2016 5:23 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 02 Aug 2016 17:23:47 -0400

SGT Matt Haase I quit in 1976. I chewed gum and ate sunflower seeds. Try to avoid being around folks that smoke. Eventually, the cravings will decrease. Today, I can't stand the smell of cigarette smoke. You will also save money you can put to other uses.

Response by PO2 Sarah Ogborn made Aug 2 at 2016 8:02 PM

PO2 Sarah Ogborn — Tue, 02 Aug 2016 20:02:44 -0400

Put down the food and snacks!! I quit cold turkey almost 3 years ago. It's going to be hard, it will get easy, and the cravings will never one hundred percent disappear. That being said, find ways to keep your hands busy, even for 5 minutes, until the craving goes away. Have the fortitude to stick to it. Set goals and reward yourself (not food, go do something you've been wanting to do) when you meet those goals. Good luck! I have faith that you can do this! (*find a friend you can talk to about the struggles.. Kind of a "life coach")