About Those Stop Smoking Programs

Just the mention of stop smoking programs makes me go apoplectic.  Giving up my cigarettes, my one “luxury” (though I will not be so in denial as to say my one vice) is not something I look forward to.  I try not to even think about such awful things as stop smoking programs. 

But about ten years ago, that is what I was trapped into doing.  My closest friend, a CNS working in a retired living center described to me how as a smoker I was at risk for cancers, emphysema, and strokes.  She taunted that if I didn’t start looking into some stop smoking programs and stop killing myself I would, before I died for real, end up like the people she cared for in the retirement living centers--gasping for breath, toting around oxygen tanks, needing help doing the simplest of tasks because I would be “all stroked out.”  So I tried. 

They (whoever they are) say that’s the key to eventually being able to call yourself a non-smoker: you quit, you try again, you quit again, until you are a successful quitter.  Of course, just trying once as I did doesn’t really count (until I try again and again, sometime), but the truly desirous can make the effort and really stop smoking cigarettes by trying out the various stop smoking programs, one at a time, until he or she finds one or a combination of programs that work for him or her.

I had—back in the 90’s, made it as a non-smoker for one year and one month. Sheer agony. These are some of the stop smoking programs and tools I worked with:

Since The American Cancer Society offers free, thoughtful info on giving up smoking, I started there.  The pamphlets are written in serious terms and at the same time use gentle language. That offers the soft approach, so I wouldn’t feel like a freak, or a “bad” person….

Next, I read one of the many fine books on quitting—one which was informative, supportive, coaxing, humorous, brilliantly researched, and helpful.  My absolute favorite is still No-Nag, No-Guilt, Do-It-Your-Own-Way Guide to Quitting Smoking, by Tom Ferguson.

It’s written by an MD offering info on how smokes are a dual drug…unlike any other: they are, he says, upper/downers.  When you’re nervous or agitated, you take long…slow…drags and are tranquilized; when you’re logy, sluggish, tired, you take short.quick.puffpuffpuffs, and are instantly energized, hyped up.

Doc X exclaims, “No wonder it’s so hard to quit smoking!”  He also defines another characteristic that helps us appreciate why we’re so hooked.  He gives the times for onset, noting how there’s only one other drug, of all drugs (OTC, street, prescribed) that hits the brain faster, and that’s crack cocaine.  If I recall correctly, crack hits you in 3 seconds, heroin in 10. 

Cigarettes are harder to quit than heroin!  That right there helped me realize I also needed to be extra kind to myself. 

I also interviewed successful quitters, some of whom had become so by trying stop smoking programs like those involving hypnosis, subliminal tapes, and nicotine gum.  And because they offered advice and tricks, I tried those tricks as well:

I drank water...a lot of water…as our bodies take at least 8 ten-ounce glasses of water a day anyway, so whenever I felt the urge to puff, I would do water instead.

The oral act is a big part of smoking for me and likely for most everyone else who loves/needs to smoke.  I would use a pencil, an imaginary butt, or even—when I was especially brave—a real unlit cig, and each time I had the crave to drag I would inhale really deeply and satisfyingly, instead. 

I would also use the 12-step approaches to giving up my addiction, though I never had the smarts to try the Quitters or Smokers’ Anonymous, and would do as it was suggested by a friend.  I would say, “If I still want a cigarette in 20 minutes, I’ll have one.”  I would not give in and do so after twenty minutes, of course; instead, I would give myself permission to smoke, wait the whole 20 minutes (for most cravings cycle through and pass away in 20 minutes), then repeat the permit, so that if I again still wanted a cigarette I could have one…after twenty minutes. 

This my own version of a sort of combination of stop smoking programs and techniques.  And I have to admit, it was much better for my skin, my hair, and of course my lungs.  In other words, it worked if I worked it.

Related links to Programs to Stop Smoking

Cigarrest - Stop Smoking Programs
Accept no imitation. Try the original Cigarrest to quit smoking and to remain smoke-free for life. Our patented homeopathic formula will make you a...

100% Natural Stop Smoking Program
Stop smoking easily and quickly with our 5 part Finally Free system.

Stop Smoking Program
Dr. Grossman has helped over 300,000 people to stop smoking through hypnosis, and he can help you to gain control over your habit. His system is lo...

Stop Smoking in 2 hours w/Hypnosis
Free special report. You will stop smoking today using streaming hypnosis & NLP programming - money back guarantee real audio course & book. Just 2...

Quit Smoking Program
Quit smoking program. Stop smoking without cravings and without gaining a pound.

Smoke Away Official Site - Stop Smoking
Introducing our premium plus kit - only available here. A leading all-natural smoking cessation program. Millions have turned to it - how about you...