stop smoking

[cameo]

I am just about to read Allan Carrs 'Easy Way To Stop Smoking'
I bought this book after reading lots of reviews - mostly positive. I thought it would be good to give it a try. I have smoked for at least 20 years. I have given up before, the longest time being 2 and a half months.
The trouble is I am now feeling less enthusiastic and am worried that if I don't quit i will have failed. As i already feel like a bit of a failure in other aspects of my life i really don't want to be another failure.
I am now starting to think that if i don't bother trying at least i wont have to say i failed.
Has anyone read this book and if so did it work?
Has anyone got any ideas on how i can make myself feel more positive before i start?
Should i just not bother?

[sunflower71]

go for it cameo.
i havent done the allan carrs book yet but i want to.

good luck with it stay positive and your be sooo happy do di it.

[Ethel]

I smoked 40 a day for over 40 years, and finally stopped in 1994 after reading this book and using patches.

It was the best thing I ever did - not only do I look and feel so much better, I have lost that awful morning cough and I have much more spare cash.
My house is a lot cleaner - I don't need to decorate as often. I don't smell.
I can sit on a long haul flight without cravings.

I had tried many, many times before and don't think I could have done it without the patches.

I think what helped me most was Alan Carr's simple assertion that smoking does not relieve tension - it causes the tension that is relieved by another cigarette. It is simply withdrawal pangs that is that tension.

You survived years without a cigarette before you started smoking - and you will survive without them again.

Good luck!

[curlyfilm]

i gave up after reading the book, well whilst reading it, the thing i enjoy most is i'm free, no checking how many fags i have before doing anything, no feeling worried if i'm going anywhwere and only have half the amount of fags i might need, no wheezing in bed, no having a fag before i do anything
remember the physical withdrawal symptons are barely noticeable, you are just brainwashed into thinking you'll suffer

[ageing fast]

My daughter (19) has been smoking for 3 years and decided to quit a couple of weeks ago. She cut down for the last couple of weeks and then stopped last Friday. She has had the most awful headache ever since - which is presumably part of the withdrawal.

Anyone any idea how long the headache will last? I don't want her to cave in and start smoking again - but I'm not sure how long she can cope like this. Would patches help?

[cameo]

thanks for your answers and words of advice.
I so want to stop.
I am about half way through the book and can't really see how this is going to help me but i'll carry on till the end!!

Thanks again xXx

[barb1314]

Hiya cameo,well I haven't read the book but thought I'd let you know I am on one month today of my quit using patches. I feel fantastic and the most important thing is I mentally got my head round it. I don't want to smoke at all and the smell turns my stomach (thank God!) My skin and hair are better,I have loads more money and my husband is so chuffed it's great!

I have smoked 20 a day for over 20 years and I am now in control...is that what the book says? Not sure. Anyway it's true,whichever way you stop. The other thing is that the cravings literally last a couple of mins and nothing happens to you if you don't smoke...it's the fear of what will happen I think.

To the poster whose daughter stopped...just to let you know I've had no headaches on the patches....only weird dreams which stopped when I took them off at night.

I am stepping down to the medium patches tomorrow for 2 wks and then 2 wks on the low. Fingers crossed! I've had help and prescriptions from my pharmacist and I'm his first success!!! Here's to the rest of my life. Good luck to you. xx

[ummmm]

I think the book would be the best way to give up. I've read it and it does work