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COPD and Can’t Commit to Quitting Smoking

Posted by peacelovejoy @peacelovejoy, Jul 16, 2023

I was diagnosed with COPD a year ago and have made efforts to stop smoking but I keep buying cigarettes. I have quit for a couple of days at a time and keep going back. I don’t want to let go of smoking because I can’t handle the stresses in my life. I know continuing to smoke will make my life worse but I feel like I just don’t care in the one hand and to no avail keep telling myself I’m going to be even more miserable if I don’t stop. Has anyone else gone through this?

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zape | @zape | Feb 8 10:11am
In reply to @blhardin "I am still smoking. I've tried various prescription meds. Antidepressants. Apps. Books. Websites. Facebook groups. Nicotine..." + (show)
Profile picture for blhardin @blhardin

I am still smoking. I've tried various prescription meds. Antidepressants. Apps. Books. Websites. Facebook groups. Nicotine replacement (gum, patches, toothpicks .. ) Acupuncture. Pneumonia. Meditation. Hypnotherapy. I did quit, probably 12 years ago.. actually several times.. as recently as 3 months ago.. and here I am. I think, for me, it's a matter of just saying no - and I have to get up and do something - and don't answer the door when a heavy smoker comes to visit. I have thrown away all smoking paraphernalia. I've smoked right down to nothing; then get that anxiety that I don't have any. It's psychological, I'm sure. I think I just need to quit. Sunshine and fresh air helps immensely.

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@blhardin When I first quit I had to avoid going into the gas station so I wouldn’t see all the cigarettes behind the cashier. I just paid at the pump. It gets better the longer you quit.

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crystalena | @crystalena | Feb 10 8:45am

You need both hands to care . It takes determination to beat an addiction . It sounds like a no win. . The circle , stressed about smoking, and smoking to hide the stress . Maybe try stressing over no smoking . Try hard with no smoking for 3 days . Chew gum , even nicotine gum . ( I loved the nicotine gum . ) Tasted horrible but every time I had an urge , I grabbed the gum . Succeed for three days . Then for me , it was try to space out the gum . Try to get the cigarette smell out of everything in my life . ( more gum). I would busy myself with a task . Take a shower . Try to get off the nicotine gum . That gum was the most important thing to me . It is cheaper than cigarettes , does’nt put smoke in your lungs . Doesn’t make an ashy mess . That is how I quit smoking . I don’t crave cigarettes . But right now , this instant , I am craving nicotine gum. Yum yum. Blessed Be , Crystalena. ( smoked cigarettes for 39 years)

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chebo1954 | @chebo1954 | 1 day ago

Please please please stop smoking- it’s what has made you sick and it will make you sicker until it kills you. You will feel so much better because it is just cutting your life expectancy and I know because I smoked for 50 years- 2-3 packs a day and when I was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer in 2016 that cured my smoking but most importantly do the math- in 2016 they gave me 2 weeks to live and it’s 2026 now, but I wouldn’t be here now if I didn’t quit right then and there. I don’t know you but you seem like good people to me and I think (and probably many others) the world would be a better place with you in it. Please stop now before it’s too late. Best wishes, Bob

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