Stopping Smoking and Overcoming That Wicked Urge

[Gravenstuk57]

I do not know why this works, but it does. I recommend that you share the concept with any smokers who are trying to quit, and past smokers that may get that "urge" triggered from time to time.

When that urge hits, take several deep breaths through your nose. You will get a pleasant "rush" and your throat will have that "just took a couple of puffs" feeling.

Now, I wonder if those who really struggle with stopping smoking have a hidden breathing problem... Docs??

[retep360]

I stopped smoking September 2011. Actually it was September 22, the day before my birthday. I was 74 years old then and had smoked most of my life. My wife (54 then) had just stopped smoking with the help of hypnosis, patches and gums. She is now smoke free for a year and I am proud of her. It was only logical that I should also stop smoking that 1 pack per day. When I told her that I would do it "cold turkey", she was extremely doubtful. I did it. Since September 2011 I have not smoked one cigarette. How?
EVERY TIME I THOUGHT ABOUT SMOKING (THE URGE) I TOOK A FEW VERY DEEP BREATHS. By the time I had completed taking my deep breaths, the thought of smoking had passed. The first week was rough but managable. Then it became easier and easier. At the end of two weeks, I knew that I had "discovered" a really good way to stop smoking.
Actually, I am convinced that this method of breathing deeply to stop smoking would also work for an alcohol addiction. Drugs, too?????
I also don't know why it works (deep breathing) - but it does. I wonder why this methodology is not better known. Imagine, you need nothing but your own determination and a few deep breaths every now and then to stop smoking for good. To tell you the truth - I AM VERY PROUD OF MYSELF.

Peter - a Canadian

[teko]

Yes We Did! We are doing it! We are awesome! Hugs Jade!

[Jade59]

No doubt, teko, no doubt.  That's a small part of the reason I stay quit myself, I simply can't go through that again.  And when the crave hits, it's more for something to do than actually wanting to inhale cigarette smoke.  

I knew you bought that ecig but didn't think you used it.  You are so right, it's just another way to continue the habit, since I truly doubt the people who have bought and used it stayed quit...which is what the cig co's are hoping for, I'm sure.  

I don't know if the infrequency of the crave means your lungs are any better, although after 6mo's there's surely an improvement however small.  You're not feeding your brain with the habit anymore so it's forgetting about it until you have some major stress which brings on the crave.  I just assume this.  I know I was still using my inhaler at the yr mark although infrequently and now haven't needed it in several months.

I'm so proud of Us!  Took us some years, didn't it, but oh my gosh, HERE we are!!!  We finally did it!!!  

[teko]

I did by the e-cig but never use it because it is too much like smoking to me and even if it is only vapor (I dont buy the nicotine for it), it could lead me back to the real thing too easily. No, Im still cold turkey all the way, but the deep breathing being talked about does absolutely make sense to me. Just the infrequency of the crave as time goes on, does that mean the lungs are working better or what? Curious.   I seriously have too much time under my belt for a do over so even tho I do struggle from time to time, no I will not smoke. lol  I cannot do this again!!!

[Jade59]

Excellent post, Bill!  I am going on 15mo's quit and discovered early on, taking a deep breath would calm down an urge and still practice it today.  However, I wasn't aware of the theory of why it was satisfying so thank you for your post!  What you're saying makes perfect sense to me, too.

Teko, I would imagine this is why the Ecig works for some.  I think those things can be used with nicotine (you bought one, didn't you?) but maybe not necessarily so all you're doing is taking a deep inhale of vapor and oxygen.  I know you're struggling a little, Linda, but I can promise you, as time goes by, it will get easier.  I would say it was around the 9th or 10th month those severe urges became less and fewer and farther between and I can honestly say, they are rare at this point.  

[teko]

I am 6 and a half monts post quit on a 2 pack a day habit spanning 35 years. I still get those awful cravings but not like I used to. How would the lessening of the frequency of the craves play into your theory.

I will try this because it does make sense and I do have emphysema too but the craves are less frequent so how does that fit? Im totally interested in this, it could be really huge!

[Bill744]

Having quit a 2 to 3 pack a day 30 year smoking habit and subsequently spending 11 years teaching a very successful stop smoking class I heartely agree with the recommendation of taking deep breaths regularly.  But not just through the nose.   I am a very firm believer that deep breathing is the most essential part of successfully ending the worlds most severe addiction: Tobacco Smoking.    My personal experience along with the observation of a couple thousand students who quit smoking through programs I taught proved to me that it isn't really nicotine that the smoker craves so badly when they quit smoking.  It's the oxygen they no longer take in without their smokes.  From the time a smoker first starts experimenting with tobacco they come to depend on tobacco products to give them the God given oxygen they need to live and thrive.  That's why the confirmed smoker draws so regularly and deeply on whatever tobacco product they are smoking.  Humans can go witout food for weeks, drinks for days, oxygen for only minutes.  It is the breath of life without which you will die (or perhaps worse yet, spend your life climbing walls when you quit smoking because you are not replacing your instrument of deep breathing (the tobacco product.  You need a constant flow of oxygen to stay alive, to energise yourself and to keep your brain active.  When the smoker quits smoking after years of practicing the habit 100's of times per day, they literally quit all of their deep breathing.  That's why they talk about climbing the wall without a smoke.  One of the first things most young people give up (or never start) after learning to smoke, is athletics of any sort.  They have found another method of breathing deeply and regularly.  They no longer need the heavy breathing caused by athletic activity to get their deep breathing which gives them the breath of life.  I quit at age 48 and believe me I wouldn't be alive at 84 and playing singles tennis if I hadn't found a way to end my addiction. .