3,053 people want to do this. 5 people made it a 2010 resolution.

stop smoking


 

People who have done this

   

How to stop smoking by Absnasm

"Stopping smoking using the Allan Carr method was easy, immediate, stressless, joyful and life changing."

How I did it: I read a book called Allen Carr's Easy Way to Stop Smoking, which changed the way I felt about smoking. It  removed the social brainwashing that encourages smoking and makes smokers feel that it's difficult to stop. Once I'd read it I felt like a huge burden had been lifted from me, like I'd been cured of a horrible, fatal, antisocial disease. I stopped immediately, enjoyed a minimal withdrawal process - yes, enjoyed, because it meant that I was freeing myself of an addiction - and have never wanted to smoke since.

Lessons & tips: Note: this is not "What would you do differently?", which is how it's appearing in some feeds.  When I wrote it, the heading was "What lessons and tips can you provide?" So nur.

  • Be ready to stop. If you actually want to keep smoking, or you're stopping because someone else wants you to, your chances of success are reduced.
  • Read the book over the course of a couple of weeks maximum. Momentum is key.
  • Digest what you read. Think it through and internalise it. The book is not a magic bullet. It requires a change in your thinking.
  • Put what you learn from the book into practice. Some things might seem unimportant - for instance, referring to it as "stopping smoking" rather than "giving up" - but it's all about the messages that you're sending your subconscious. 
  • Do not use any kind of nicotine replacement therapy. If you continue to feed your body with nicotine, you remain addicted. Much of the discomfort traditionally associated with stopping smoking is created by the myth that it's difficult to stop and that smoking is pleasurable and stress-relieving. Once you rid yourself of these presumptions, the process of withdrawal - which only lasts a couple of days - is a pleasure, because it's the proof that you are breaking free.
  • Know that as soon as you put out your last cigarette, it's over. No more "trying to give up", no more "how long till I don't want to smoke" - you've done it, you're free! It's all in the mindset. Congratulations, you are now a non smoker!

Resources:

  1. Amazon.com
  2. Amazon.co.uk
  3. Allen Carr's Easy Way
  4. Other 43Ters who used the Allan Carr method and are promoting it to other 43Ters who want to stop smoking


16 people found this helpful
 

Sep 10, 2008, 03:12AM PDT | 17 comments | 39 cheers



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→ See all 92 "How I did it" stories

People doing this:

  • West Virginia
    16 entries
  • Brooklyn
    12 entries
  • Long Beach
    11 entries
  • Louisville
    9 entries
  • Cuyahoga Falls
    9 entries

    • → See all people

    People doing this are also doing these things:

    Entries

    ConvertnotCoerce

    Day 7 9 hours ago

    I went through most of yesterday without wearing a patch. Every single time a craving comes back one has to be conscious and repress it back to the labrynths from which it came from. My friends have considered me to be a non smoker, due to my hardcore convictions on it. I’m happy that it is going well. I must admit that I do want to smoke, but I realize that I am better off not doing so. 3 more weeks and I’ll consider this goal accomplished

    Nov 20, 07:31AM PST | 0 comments


    CrushedAristocrat is going to do homework

    Doing it 2 days ago

    Its just easy, STOP, human nature is very lazy, when you think about it, but how NOT doing something shouldnt be a problem at all, right?..

    I got lung diseaser, lung fever or so, you cant realy smoke when your fever is skyrocketing.

    Nov 17, 05:51PM PST | 0 comments


    ConvertnotCoerce

    Day 4 3 days ago

    Today again I have decided to use half a patch (in order to calm down my nicotine craving without overdosing myself with nicotine) as to crave it more later in the future. I am satisfied with the progress that I have made and refuse to go back to smoking cigarettes. I have 3 more weeks before I can claim this goal as finished, wish me luck, as I continue doing what I have been doing.

    Nov 17, 06:44AM PST | 1 cheer | 1 comment


    Mind_Changing

    Somehow 4 days ago

    ... this has to be done!
    I already tried this four times, but always ended with a new cigarette between my lips. Thats so annoying.
    But sometimes I´ll get it ;)

    Nov 16, 01:16AM PST | 0 comments


    ConvertnotCoerce

    Day 2 5 days ago

    Yesterday was DAY 1 of my quitting. I wish I did not have cravings, but I have started to replace those cravings with gum (or anything around me that I can munch on). I hope for them to be gone real soon (they are difficult to combat). Wish me luck

    Nov 15, 08:37AM PST | 1 cheer | 2 comments


    ConvertnotCoerce

    Last pack 1 week ago

    Today im buying my last pack of cigarettes.

    MALBORO REDS 100’s

    I figure it’d be best to quick on my favorite brand and the first type of cigarette that I ever smoked. Alongside the longest of them all to plead my farewell to.

    Here in NYC their up to 10 dollars a pack. My quitting is being brought about by my health, financial situation, and loss of pleasure that cigarettes once brought me. I have been worn out from that phase of my life. Now we move on to bigger and better things. But 20 more ;) then ill be good. A last farewell is necessary to keep me sane.

    Nov 09, 10:29PM PST | 2 cheers | 0 comments


    CloverFoxx its not getting what you want. its wanting what youve got

    done 2 weeks ago

    cheated on friday… a week ago. had one. body rejected it immediately. then had one single hit monday night (after i had started the meds)
    i dont get the cravings anymore, and even eddy has stopped offering me hits. so i should be in the clear. im calling this a win.

    Nov 04, 02:51PM PST | 1 cheer | 0 comments


    tonyescobar21 Rhetoric 10 class on iTunes!

    Cold turkey is killin me 2 weeks ago

    So I’m getting patches on Wednesday. I feel I am making excuses to smoke and it’s troubling how addicted I am! Darn! :(

    Oct 31, 03:55PM PDT | 1 cheer | 1 comment


    Violecat in love

    Untitled 3 weeks ago

    WHOA! THIS IS HARD! :(

    Oct 28, 05:49PM PDT | 1 cheer | 0 comments


    CloverFoxx its not getting what you want. its wanting what youve got

    9 days 3 weeks ago

    and im over the second bump of the withdrawal. eddy keeps trying to buy me packs. they sit in my car and stare at me while i drive, but ive been good.
    now when eddy wants a regular instead of a menthol, theres some there for him and im still not paying for his or issac’s smoking.

    Oct 25, 02:42PM PDT | 0 comments


    → See all 1731 entries

    Ask for advice: Get help from people who've accomplished this goal


    Amsterdam
    		 redbandita asks, “Have you quit using the Allen Carr method(s)? If so, could you please comment here: http://www.43things.com/things/view/1306933/promote-allen-carrs-easyway-to-other-43ers-who-want-to-stop-smoking”
    — 1 year ago


    		 2 answers

    Port St Lucie
    		 Common $ense asks, “I am going to make this my personal deadline goal. What is a good punishment if I do not quit by the deadline? *EDIT* I just quit instead.”
    — 2 years ago


    		 23 answers

    		fifili asks, “I wonder if its normal to get ill after quitting. Its now 2 wks since I last smoked and my chest is so heavy, I am coughing up yukky stuff and I am convinced this is related. Is my body getting rid of all the toxins? Surely this is a good sign...”
    — 3 years ago


    		 12 answers

    Pittsburgh
    		 Indiequeen asks, “I need to quit smoking. It costs too much and it's horrible. What's the best way to stop?”
    — 3 years ago


    		 16 answers

    Jakarta Timur
    		 el_marsheil asks, “Somebody pls help me... this my 3rd day since i stop smoking. and i think i cant stop smoke, this really hard to do :(”
    — 4 years ago


    		 13 answers

    		doclorkind asks, “Anybody have any good tips on quitting?”
    — 4 years ago


    		 15 answers

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