Quit Smoking, Still Shooting...need some help coping.

Missing Link

Missing Link

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I quit smoking this week during a battle with pneumonia...smoking and pool have been really tied together for a long time in my life and I'm fiding it hard to get my rythum without cigerrettes. In addition to that, I have ADHD so the nicotine helped me focus.

Has anybody been through this? What helped you "come back?"
 
Time. That and gum sometimes helps. Drink lots of ice water/club soda...it seems to help.

Another thing that helps (not so much DURING play)...is that everytime you get a cue to smoke, drop what you're doing and walk around the block...costs you the same amount of time you would have spent going out for a smoke break. Remind yourself how much better you feel/breath/taste now that you're off them. Also, change your daily schedule as much as possible...cigarettes used to anchor your schedule, now you need a new anchor.

Been off them 6 months so far--so far so good. I'm playing my best pool now, too, but there was an initial drop off. It'll pass.
 
pneumonia...

Missing Link said:
I quit smoking this week during a battle with smoking and pool have been really tied together for a long time in my life and I'm fiding it hard to get my rythum without cigerrettes. In addition to that, I have ADHD so the nicotine helped me focus.

Has anybody been through this? What helped you "come back?"
Click to expand...

My battle with pneumonia went south after being in a coma all I can say it is a nightmare.
yes I stopped smoking its has its momments. It is a choice to smoke or not to smoke.

There is one thing I remember is I dont let anything saddle me up and ride me into the ground,
I refuse to let any drug or alcohol rule my life.
I stopped , do I still have the urge hell yes .
Get another habit gum , lemon drops, jerky , the new water cigarettes,
anything is better than smoking cigarette .

The bad part is everyone goes how hard it is to stop smoking, who gives a rats ass, its killing you, dont think how much you need a cigarette think how much you hate the cugarette companies and hate the fact they own your ass.
your health and everyone around you. dont think just stop smoking.

The nicotine patches are a joke for me It just wanted to make me want a cigarette. I got boxes of the patches . for me total waist of money.

This was my choice where in the hell am I going to mount a oxygen bottle on my motorcycle. And then I am going to wrap a rubber hose around my neck and ride my bike . SCREW THAT .

I walked and walked and walked taking deep breaths making my lungs work. but It boils down to the choice. You want to be hooked on cigarettes
its your choice .

Me I stopped, I can do most anything if I put my mind to it.

Just let it go dont talk about dont show any weakness to cigarettes stand up and put smoking into your past. And be proud that you have the will to overcome cigarette addiction.

MMike
 
Take it 5 minutes at a time. When you think you want a smoke just put it off for 5 minutes. The next time you want one go another 5 minutes. That 5 minutes can turn into a life time of non smoking.
But I fail to see how not smoking throws off your rhythm, when I smoked I wasn't puffing on a cig while I was shooting a ball.---Smitty
 
And my buddy told me: Quitting is easy...I've done it lotsa times.

Humor aside, do it. More power to you!
 
Harold Smith said:
Take it 5 minutes at a time. When you think you want a smoke just put it off for 5 minutes. The next time you want one go another 5 minutes. That 5 minutes can turn into a life time of non smoking.
But I fail to see how not smoking throws off your rhythm, when I smoked I wasn't puffing on a cig while I was shooting a ball.---Smitty
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THAT is the secret.

Anyone can quit for 5 minutes. Every smoker has. That's how I quit for good....a bunch of 5 minutes all lined up to make a total of 37 years for me so far.

By the time the 5 minutes are up, I had forgotten temporarily that I wanted to smoke. Usually, because I was doing something else with my hands, it was well past the 5 minute mark, so I had to start another 5 minutes. I sometimes didn't smoke one for an hour or more as I kept missing the mark.

FOR THOSE TRYING TO QUIT

After those 5 minutes, if you still want a smoke---really want one, not the habit speaking---then have one and enjoy it fully without guilt. That paradigm is the power. It takes away the fear of never again smoking and the strong cravings and any guilt from smoking that tends to set quitters fully back on the smoking track. One smoke, really enjoyed, is OK when quitting IF the 5 minute rule is used for every smoke or non smoke.

It worked for me that way... what if it worked that way for everyone? Wouldn't a smoker like to try it then?

Jeff Livingston
 
I chose to keep the nicotine and get rid of the tobacco, tar, and smoke. It is pretty clear to me that nicotine alone is far less dangerous to my health than cigarettes with all their carcinogens. I use this and a couple other versions of e-cigs. Among the advantages are cost savings, flexibility, and a higher degree of acceptability in public. YMMV

It delivers nicotine in a vapor form and the nicotine level is very adjustable by choosing the "juice" strength and the settings on the device.

DSC00659.jpg
 
After a long term 2 pack plus habit per day, I quit cigarettes almost 6 years ago now. I used prescription Chantix to help me get past the first 2 to 3 weeks. I was quite committed to kicking the cigarette habit so frankly, it was easy.

After six months or so of no cigarettes, I picked up cigars again. I now smoke a couple of cigars per day. If I have to play pool in a smokeless establishment or go all day without anything, not a big deal.

You have to decide that you are 100% committed to quitting. Once you do that, it is quite easy. If there is any lack of commitment, your mind will know it and eventually, you'll give in, be right back where you were.

Good luck!
 
Hats Off 2 U Guys!!

Wonderful 2 hear that you guys gave up that scourge!!

I never smoked but my brother started early and still won't quit.
He's been coughing 4 years now. SAD!!!

My 2 Cents is that U fellas will play better pocket billiards down the
road 4 sure.

Noel
 
Nicorette gum, use it just like a cigarette. When you have the craving, put the gum in your mouth, chew it a couple of times, then in between the gum and cheek for a while. Your craving for a cigarette will disappear!
 
First, congrats on quitting! I did three years ago and very glad.

It's best f you can quit with no nicotine replacement, but I can tell you that nicotine gum is even better than smoking. You can chew it in restaurants, pool halls...even the shower. But since it's a replacement, you're now addicted to the gum instead of cigarettes. It's a good trade-off but not as perfect as total quitting.

Best of luck.
 
bdorman said:
First, congrats on quitting! I did three years ago and very glad.

It's best f you can quit with no nicotine replacement, but I can tell you that nicotine gum is even better than smoking. You can chew it in restaurants, pool halls...even the shower. But since it's a replacement, you're now addicted to the gum instead of cigarettes. It's a good trade-off but not as perfect as total quitting.

Best of luck.
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^^^ THIS ^^^

Koop - quit 4 years ago, cold turkey
 
Quit Smoking

Quit Dec. 2002. I said to myself, I didn't care if I can't make a ball. Nervous as hell for a while when I played, but things are much better and that addiction is buried.
 
Like Bona, I too use an e-cigarette.. It is not the same feeling, but it takes the edge off, especially at those key times when I used to smoke.. After dinner, drinking at a bar, and of course pool. Hard as hell to break the "habits" of smoking more so than the act itself for me. Ohio has a ban on indoor smoking so that has a lot to do with it for me. Good luck to you sir!
 
I'm one of those that has quit several times, but am still hooked. I don't think the level of difficulty for one person can be equated to the next. Different folks have differing levels of addiction - I'm just lucky to be one of the fortunate ones that is severely addicted.

I've chewed the nicotine gum until my gums ulcerated with blisters, I've puffed away on those e-cigarettes to the point they do absolutely nothing except make me want a cigarette even more, I've gone cold turkey until the pressure in my head and chest as well as panic attacks drove me back to the smoke. It sucks big time - but I'm hooked and have been for nearly 50 years.

My best guestimate is that I will quit permanently a day or two before they close the lid on my coffin.

I know that with enough will... I could quit. But everything in this life is a trade-off and to me it just isn't worth the agony at this point.
 
Never think you're tougher than a cigarette, or that you have it beat.

Chew gum- cinnamon flavor gives a little kick. Deep breaths. Walk. Wait five minutes- and then if you still want one, do five fast push ups. Smell how clean your hands smell. Hard candy. Get in the car, roll up the windows, hold your ears and scream your healing lungs out. Chew a pencil. Remember to appreciate how your laugh starts sounding healthier and you don't clear your throat anymore. Say the alphabet backwards. Anything to get through each craving.

If you honest to goodness can't handle it, chew the nicorette gum and do all of the other things above, too. Give yourself a date to get off the gum, and start switching off with regular gum.

Months will go by and the painful cravings will stop- but then out of the blue you'll get these weird, sneaky little thoughts about how you're doing so well, you could probably just have one. Don't.
 
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