Any advice?(off topic, sort of)

This may sound 'out there' - but my friend quit with hypnosis.


She had smoked for about about 10 years.

I quit years ago and it was the hardest thing I ever did. I found that I smoked as the reward system. If I did the dishes I could have a smoke. I could not talk on the telephone or drive a car. I tried the gum and the first day my jaw hurt so badly I could not eat dinner because of my frantic chewing. I did the patches and the lowest was a 7mg and I could not make it. I finally tried cutting the 7's in half and going from 3.5mg to nothing, I made it.

But what really hit home is that I got tired of "trying" to quit. I was so hard on myself. And I was extremely disappointed. It sure gave me a lot of compassion for addicts because I was very addicted to nicotine.

One day I woke up sad that it would be another day of trying not to smoke and it dawned on me that if I quit I would not have to try any more.

I bought a little game so I could keep my hands busy, a carton of gum and I carried a toothbrush and paste with me everywhere.

If I kept my hands busy I did not smoke, especially this game I got was difficult and I didn't win continually. The gum was to keep my mouth busy. And the toothbrush and toothpaste was because I always hated smoking with clean fresh teeth. Boy were my teeth shiny clean those first months.

They say it takes 3 weeks to make or break a habit. I just made sure that I did not replace one bad habit with another bad habit.

Good luck and I hope my experience is of some help. I remember how hard it was.

Years ago I smoked. I quit one day when I was so sick of looking through ashtrays for a butt that was big enough to smoke. I was sick of myself and the desperation I felt. Why I was able to at the moment I have no idea because I had tried so many times before.

I really feel for you and do believe that you will have a hard time getting well while smoking.

I did read that Licorice root helps (chewing on it) and red clover. But I have no experience with that.

I wish you the best in getting rid of this habit.

I think hypnosis is about $400 for the entire session.

Have you looked into acupuncture? There is a tab they can put on your ear. When you want a cigarette you touch the tab and it is suppose to relieve the want.

That's interesting that you just gave up drinking one day. My mental coach would say that there is some false benefit you are getting from not quitting. The reason it is false is that you know consciously, it's not good for you and you should quit. However, subconsciously, you are getting some need met out of not quitting. He also says it can't be additive, because it it truly was, then no-one would ever be able to quit. Only you can figure that out, though, what are the reasons for not quitting. Once you do, however, its like Yureka! Your mind will allow you to quit. It's been proven in neuroscience stuff. It is a tough thing, when you mind works against your best wishes...it happens to all of us. We all have thoughts and stories behind each experience that shape the way we respond to things. Try not to beat yourself up too much.

I used herbal cigarettes ...its wild lettuce damiana mullen lavender mint etc ...it was good sub ..also vaping then reduce nicotine ..its bad too tho has radiator fluid ...i got to a point where it eas getting my vasculitis to a passing out point

Hi, PeteZa:

I don't have a source, it's my mental coach who doesn't believe in addiction. He does the research and we actually discussed this in our last retreat. He said he has healed many clients (he has a private practice)and is now starting to bring his teachings in drug rehab centers because he has had great success getting people to change their habits. His website is Conscious Transformation.com It's a personal development lifestyle program. I don't doubt what he says. It has helped me tremendously deal with my thoughts about dealing with Lyme, feeling hopeless, spouse not supportive, etc.

I was just bringing it up an alternative theory that may or may not be helpful, because everything Trader758 had tried, hasn't worked. Not trying to judge, personally, whether or not it's an addition.

PeteZa, I hear ya. I don't have that experience and am sorry that it is difficult for you to stay away from nicotine. I have other demons. This mental coach says that addictions are really just thought patterns and they have to be broken. That message doesn't resonate until someone is ready to hear that. But, like I said, that's okay, be kind to yourself - we are all struggling in our own unique way.