http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/01/02/fireworks-at-the-needle-and-how-should-i-quit-smoking-again Comments On: Fireworks at the Needle, and How Should I Quit Smoking (Again)? by Kelly O en-us Copyright 2013 The Stranger. All rights reserved. This RSS file is offered to individuals, The Stranger readers, and non-commercial organizations only. Any commercial websites wishing to use this RSS file, please contact The Stranger. webmaster@thestranger.com (The Stranger Webmaster) Wed, 22 May 2013 00:00:01 -0700 Wed, 22 May 2013 21:00:00 -0700 Foundation http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Posted by charlie]]> Sat, 05 Jan 2013 14:23:49 -0800 The Stranger http://www.amazon.com/Power-Habit-What-L…

I'm a nonsmoker, but it seems like it would help; and if nothing else, it's an interesting read.
Posted by thecheesegirl]]> Thu, 03 Jan 2013 23:24:33 -0800 The Stranger Posted by lolorhone]]> Thu, 03 Jan 2013 21:17:17 -0800 The Stranger
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/04/0…
Posted by wisepunk]]> Thu, 03 Jan 2013 14:21:00 -0800 The Stranger Posted by SamClemens]]> Thu, 03 Jan 2013 01:01:46 -0800 The Stranger
It's been, like, uh...a long time. 1993, so...shit, it'll be 20 years next November.
Posted by TVDinner]]> Wed, 02 Jan 2013 22:01:47 -0800 The Stranger
The good news is you don't need to read it. All it does is try to convince you that you don't actually LIKE smoking, which - at least for me - was an easy sell.

You feel worse after a cigarette, yes? A cigarette has pushed you past the puke line on many a night of heavy drinking, yes? The act of standing around smoking is as boring as the boredom that triggered you to smoke, yes?

If you answer no to all those questions, quitting is going to be a bitch.
Posted by Free Lunch]]> Wed, 02 Jan 2013 19:25:32 -0800 The Stranger Posted by I have always been... east coaster]]> Wed, 02 Jan 2013 19:04:53 -0800 The Stranger
The core of it, for me, and for many others, is, in one form or another, simply taking having a cigarette off of the options for "possible things to do right now." (It helps to realize that a cigarette will not solve any problem, improve any situation, or answer any questions.) Once you say that having a cig isn't an option, then you have to focus on something else--take a walk around the desk until the craving passes; chew toothpicks as a hand/mouth substitute (which I did for several years); practice deep breathing exercises for 2 minutes; some combo. (I recommend comfort-focused things the first 3-5 days as you get through the physical withdrawal, then focus on the habit-based withdrawal.) If you allow yourself to think that "if it gets bad [or good!] enough, I can have a cigarette," then you will eventually have one. If you teach yourself to say some version of, "Nope; cigarette isn't an option. Next?", AND have an arsenal of distractions and alternatives, you will probably do better.

YMMV, of course! Which is why it really is a personal thing. Also--take the $$ you would have spent on cigs and put it in a jar or envelope--the actual cash money. It'll add up and you can spend it on something fun. (I knew someone who went to Europe.)
Posted by narya]]> Wed, 02 Jan 2013 17:47:15 -0800 The Stranger Posted by Amalink]]> Wed, 02 Jan 2013 16:33:17 -0800 The Stranger Posted by Weekilter]]> Wed, 02 Jan 2013 16:28:16 -0800 The Stranger
I did this by designating a chair in my kitchen as my smoking chair. It faced the wall and was uncomfortable to boot. That was the only place I could smoke. I wasn't allowed to smoke at work, or in my car, or in front of the TV. Only that stupid boring corner of the kitchen that was like a prison. After a while, smoking became, well, not really worth it. It no longer provided an enhancement to other pleasures, and all I had left was the nicotine addiction, which was easily cured with nicoret gum (which at the time you needed a prescription for).
Posted by Sandiai]]> Wed, 02 Jan 2013 15:23:50 -0800 The Stranger Posted by tainte]]> Wed, 02 Jan 2013 15:18:43 -0800 The Stranger Posted by defman23]]> Wed, 02 Jan 2013 15:04:58 -0800 The Stranger Posted by Seabea]]> Wed, 02 Jan 2013 15:01:14 -0800 The Stranger Posted by Bauhaus I]]> Wed, 02 Jan 2013 14:58:16 -0800 The Stranger Posted by sla]]> Wed, 02 Jan 2013 14:57:37 -0800 The Stranger Posted by Gillian Anderson]]> Wed, 02 Jan 2013 14:51:38 -0800 The Stranger Posted by thatsnotright]]> Wed, 02 Jan 2013 14:10:22 -0800 The Stranger Posted by Mugwumpt]]> Wed, 02 Jan 2013 13:59:32 -0800 The Stranger
@26 - I've always been in crowded bar. This year I broke the cycle with a really hot guy, standing on the roof of his apartment. Another reason to quit. Who wants to make out with a hot guy, with stink-mouth tobacco breath?


Posted by Kelly O]]> Wed, 02 Jan 2013 13:47:27 -0800 The Stranger Posted by rob!]]> Wed, 02 Jan 2013 13:42:59 -0800 The Stranger
Also, don't try to do anything else while you're quitting, ie, quit drinking, quit coffee, etc. @15 has some good info on willpower -- there's also an enlightening book by Baumeister that has some great info.

Good luck!

Posted by pfffter]]> Wed, 02 Jan 2013 13:32:17 -0800 The Stranger Posted by raku]]> Wed, 02 Jan 2013 13:29:39 -0800 The Stranger Posted by anon1999]]> Wed, 02 Jan 2013 13:23:39 -0800 The Stranger