Need Advice to Drop the Vice

L.,
My husband was on a medicine called chantex it really works less than a month he qit smoking this was lastr dec and hasnt smoked yet........ I sed to smoke like 5 ys ago bt, then all of sudden I stopped when I fond out I was pg with my fisrt child....

Hi L.,

I am an ex smoker and it definitely takes a lot of will power. The one thing I found that helped me was to not buy any more. If they aren't around then you can't smoke them. I also chewed A LOT of gum. It will get easier, the first week is the hardest. I have now been smokefree since July 5, 2005. Now, I know I would never smoke again because I don't want to have to quit again. Good Luck! You will feel 100 times better - mentally and phsycially!

I haven't read the other posts nor have I read the book that you mentioned. Congratulations on your successes thus far.
I have never been a big smoker but at one time was at the point in which I would think about it and want to if I had not had a cigarette recently. So I definately understand the urge.
With my work in healthcare I have people ask me often how to stop. I don't have the usual answer but rather my own.
So here it is.
I believe that people start smoking because there is some positive emotion or thought surrounding the item. 'It looks cool. Someone you think well of smokes. It's an excuse to be on a smoke break with someone important to you at work. I am an adult and I can do what I want. It helps me deal with stress. I like playing with the lighter.' Whatever applies to you. But our bodies all rejected the smoke when we first inhaled by coughing. We pushed right passed that negative event and forced our body to accept the smoke in our lungs because we continued to focus on the positive reasons we wanted to smoke.
So just use this brainwashing lesson in reverse. We are going to move the focus to our advantage.
Here's how the trick works.
Actually sit down and write.
Make a list of all the things that you like about smoking and make a list of all the things that you don't like about smoking. Be totally honest and detailed. This is not the common sense list or someone elses list or the list that anyone else would understand. It doesn't need justification or explaination. It just needs to be all you and your reasons. This list cannot just be thoughts in your head, it has to be on paper. Do you want this to work? Then sit down and write. You probably cannot list every detail in one sitting. So visit the list many times over the next 3 days and add to it. Remember, very detailed.
example:
Pros
I like to play with the lighter.
I like lighters and look at them when at the quick stop.
Smoking gives me a moment to myself.
It relieves my stress.
Calms me down.
Is a little rebellious and I feel independent.
Is an excuse to get out of the office.
All my friends smoke when we drink together.
Keeps me from snacking and gaining weight.
Is better for my teeth than gum or candies.
and so on.

Cons
It is expensive.
Makes my breath stink.
Makes my skin smell.
Makes my cloths smell.
Burnt a hole in my car seat.
Burnt my favorite shirt.
Makes my hair smell.
Turned the whites of my eyes yellow.
Discolored my fingernails.
Stained my fingers where I hold the cigarette.
Is bad example for my kids.
Is bad for my health.
Other people can smell me.
Non-smokers don't want to be around smokers.
and so on.

Make the list as long as necessary to fit you.

Now, have the list available to read. Take it with you whereever you will be smoking. When you are at that moment when you will have a cigarette get your list out. Take out your cigarette and look at it. Read your list of Cons and attach each item to the cigarette in your hand. At first it really helps to be alone so you can do this outloud. Actually read the Con list to the cigarette.
example,
You are expensive and cost me lots of money.
You make my breath stink.
You make my skin smell.
You make my cloths smell.
and so on through the whole Con list.

Do not do this in a nonchelant way as if your list isn't important. It is important or you wouldn't have thought to write it down. Take a little bit of time. Don't rush through it.
Now that you have finished your 'hate speech'. Light the cigarette and smoke it. Try to enjoy it and see how that works out for you. What you said will circle around in your head some while you are smoking and that's the goal. We want to attach all these bad things directly to the cigarette and the smoking of it. You will get increasingly discusted after doing this several times. The cigarette will lose its attractiveness and you will not want it.
You will see that the moment will come when you just put the cigarette back into the pack after your 'hate speech' to it. You will walk away and that is the beginning of the end. You will have smoked one less cigarette and started to break the 'when' habit. You will eventually work your way down to not even buying a pack when you are at the store. You will be out of cigarettes and not feel the need to go immediately and get some.
It is very important that you drink lots of water all this time to help detox your system. A clean system will reject toxins more aggressively than a polluted system. Also take a vit/min supplement. Ascorbic Acid(vit.C) helps clean the system too. Get some exercise. Any little thing will be good.

The reason I prefer this brainwashing system to any other that I have seen is because once you are sick of the cigarettes you are not really at risk to pick up the habit again. You really can't be tempted by others smoking or familiar situations because when you think of cigarettes you automatically focus on the negatives. Most smokers who quit other ways for years have problems with temptation and will power. Well, this is not will power working. We have simply made cigarettes gross in our own mind.
Dozens of people have com back to me and told me this worked for them. The time frame seems to be between 3 weeks and 6 months depending upon how long they smoked and how many per day the habit was. There is some variance also with whether the person had a chemical addiction to the nicotine or not. A handful of people used this method to get off of recreational drug use also.
Sorry so long,
God Bless

By the way I still let myself buy lighters I like and play with them. I don't need a cigarette as an excuse to get to own a lighter or strike it. Ha Ha.

Hi L.,
I was a smoker and quit 5 years ago, because my husband said I couldn't. Guess I am stubborn that way. However, I can tell you how I became vegetarian and can stay that way almost a year later, though I like meat. I stopped due to the fact I had too much empathy for the animals being slaughtered under such in humane curcimstances sometimes, just so I can have a stead, which my body doesn't even need, and is better to do without. So, whenever I crave meat (usually when I smell it ) I think of the reason I quit, and since that hasn't changed, I could not forgive myself to selfishly turn to meat again.
I saw that Whoopi on the View had the same issue with quiting smoking as you do. The reason she really wanted to quit was because of an ad she saw that showed how smoking affects children. It showed a baby exhailing smoke. That upset her so much. So I wrote to her and said, every time you want to light up think of that little baby, and it will stop you.
There is a huge sense of self esteem attached to following through with promises you make to yourself. I know you can stick with it. You will be better of on so many levels. Good luck. I too have been in the place you are at, with not too many friends, and no family since this is not my country of origin.
I really hope you will succeed if that is your wish

I am an EX-smoker and I've felt weak before just like you do. I quit cold turkey the day I found out I was pregnant. It stayed that way the entire time I was breastfeeding (15 mons) but when got a job... I felt like that is my reward to come home, sit back and have a smoke. I think I started back because I was going out a lot and when I'm drinking it's hard not to smoke. Well, I was smoking for two years (trying to hide it from Bryce-my son) although he wanted to come outside with me when I would go to smoke. One day I found him picking up sticks and pretending he was smoking. I realized although I wasn't smoking inside the house, or smoking around him, HE WAS WATHCING. I started thinking, when he gets older- do I want him smoking? Do I want to be around when he has babies?
I want a better quality of life and I had made it up in my mind that today was going to be the day!!
I also started dieting- I think that helped so much. I was so mixed up in what not to eat I didn't think about smoking. It's tough girl- I'll tell you that but every time you want one, grab a piece of gum and put a dollar in an envelope. Soon you'll be smoke-free and you've got $100 to go get your hair done or new pair of cute boots!!

First of all, YOU ARE NOT WEAK!!! Smoking is an addiction and nicotine is a DRUG! It's more addictive and has more side effects than Marijuana. So, don't think that this is something you can beat all on your own...or should. You need support through friends and family. I advise you to find a smoking cesation class since you mentioned you don't have a lot of friends. Lots of hospitals and clinics offer them. Also, ask your doctor about getting a patch to wean yourself on, until you feel more stable about quitting. Try other things to reward yourself with also...a bath, a nap, some time reading a favorite book or magazine, etc. I reward myself with naps. You can do this. And you will be sooo much healthier once you've quit totally. Your kids will too since they won't be around all the residual smoke and toxins left behind on clothes and furniture. Good luck.

I know its hard. I quit in February 2006 and have not fallen off the wagon. I smoked for almost 20 years. See if you can make it a promise that you HAVE to keep. For me, I promised my husband that I would quit before our wedding. I knew he would be extremely upset and disappointed if I did not quit. Honestly I never would have smoked during a pregnancy so I knew I would quit at some point. I am sure you did not smoke during yours, so if you were able to quit then, you can quit now. Also, if you do not smoke "alot", then you really don't need to smoke at all. Your smoking because you are bored. Join a moms group or some other mom baby activity. The busier you are, the less you will want to smoke. Finally, if your son ever sees you, you would probably feel really bad about it. I look at my daughter and that is all the support I need to NOT regress.

Honestly, if you can get through childbirth...you can quit smoking. Good Luck. But with a little one, you really don't have a choice.

I am an ex-smoker, a smoker. An ex-smoker, a smoker. I hate that it has such a hold on me. I have quit several times!

The one thing that worked for months for me was Chantix. I my quit date was February 14th, 2007. That night, my mother in law went into the hospital and was in a coma. I stayed smoke free.
Several trips to San Antonio to see her in the hospital. I stayed smoke free.
She passed away at the end of March. I stayed smoke free.
We started to buy a house. I stayed smoke free.
We had a realtor come over to list our house. I was freaking out. (Silly, I know.) My husband went and got me a pack of smokes. It was over from there.

You know how they say you learn something from every time you try to quit? Well, I won't bore you with what I have learned, but it is true. You will learn something about how to quit.

Chantix is a wonderful drug. It worked for me when nothing else had. The only thing for me, is it caused me to feel sick EVERYDAY. I felt dizzy, tired, and puky. I slept a lot. I gained about 20 pounds. (That I had recently lost before the Chantix.)

I DO plan on taking it again, but I am waiting for this mess of buying a house / having ours on the market / moving to be over. Stress is a major trigger for me. I learned that :)!

Don't beat yourself up about this. Trying to quit is almost as important as actually quitting - and for those of you who have never smoked - you just can't understand that fact.

Pick something that you THINK will work for you, then give it a whirl.

Good Luck, L.. I know how important those stupid little cigarettes can be in your life. It is hard.

I quit 4 years ago after 2o something years of smoking.

I used the patch to feed me nicotine while i broke the physically nervous habit of having something to do with my hands. And knowing i had that craving, made me feel good knowing i was getting the nicotine while I was overcoming the mental part of it.

Then when I felt like that battle was over, at least the major hurdle, i stopped the patch so i could deal with that (it was not as bad as the physical habit of having one after a meal, with coffee, in the car, or if i had wine). During a craving, sounds simple but works, deep breaths, deep breaths of clean air in your lungs is perfect.

To keep me busy, i chew sunflower seeds, it takes a while to get that seed out of its shell, so it keeps my hands busy. Gum is another good thing. Do you crouchet or knit?

I also had the attitude that if I am to live, I can never have another cigarette in my life EVER. Once that sank in and it did take time wrestling with it, but It works.So I don't play around with the idea that I can smoke later that will lead me to be a smoker again and again.

Deep clean air breaths change my mind about having a cigarette, not to mention, that it was hard enough to quit the first time. I will never go through "quitting" again. it was the hardest but most rewarding thing I have ever done for myself. Good luck and email me back with any questions or if you just need someone to talk you through ok?

Oh yea, I smoked a 1/2 of cigarette the morning I quit and kept 19 1/2 cigarettes in my purse for a whole month. If I was to quit, it had to be my decision and not because I ran out or someone was making me (I am rebellious that way).It was my choice and I controlled the situation.

Good luck, K.

I am not a smoker and never have been. I have no idea what is like for you but I do have knowledge of smoking cessation due to being a dental hygienist.

One thing I know for sure is that shaming my patients for smoking, telling them how bad it is and setting quit dates never work. #1- You know it's bad for you so you don't need someone telling you. #2- If it was easy to quit everyone would quit and not relapse after their stop date.

At one of my dental seminars there was talk of a miracle drug to help people quit smoking. I logged it in memory and thought we'll give it some time to get feedback from patients. The feedback has been MIRACULOUS! The name is Chantix and it is a prescription you get through your MD. It is not an antidepressant like they have used in the past. You take one pill in the morning and one pill at night. I'm sure you can research it on-line.

I actually had a patient in yesterday on it. He said he had tried stopping several times doing several methods. He tried cold turkey, gradually cutting down, anti-depressants, and nicotine patches and none of them worked. He started on Chantix and has been smoke free for 2 months and has no desire to smoke at all now. He told me it worked so well he cheated on purpose just to see if it really worked and he couldn't even finish the cig because it tasted so bad.

Research it and talk to your Dr. I believe it costs about $100/mo. until you are done with it but how much do you spend on cigs/mo.? Good luck!

So...I'm not a smoker...but had a friend that smoked ALOT! She used the new drug Chantix...it worked GREAT!!! She said within 1 week she didn't have an urge and and has been smoke free for almost a year! I think it's the Magic Pill that all smokers need to know about. Give it a try!;) Good luck!!

Try EFT.
Go to: www.emofree.com/

L.,

I applaud you for your determination to quit smoking. It is an addiction, and addictions are hard to overcome. When trying to get rid of a behavior, it is important to replace it with something else. Others have given good suggestons, so you need to find something to do with your hands and mouth to replace the smoking. My dad used to chew tobacco, and to break the addiction he started sucking on peppermints.

Good luck to you, L., and don't give up!

I'm not a smoker, but my Memaw is and she is now on Chantix. She's smoked for almost 60 years and is on her 52nd smoke-free day today. She swears by this pill and if it can work for her then it must be magic! She says it is supposed to make you sick at first, though. The thought of having a cigarette will make you queasy and all of that, but you are supposed to still smoke up until your quit date (which you set for yourself). Go to your doctor and talk with him/her about it. I wish you the very best of luck and have total confidence that this will be the answer to your prayers!

You should really try Chantix. I took it for 3 months and didn't have any of the weird side effects people are trying to link to it. I smoked for 30 years, since I was in high school. The only time I really quit is when I was pregnant. I tried to quit several other times and it never worked. The Chantix blocks the receptors in your brain so you don't have the nicotine withdrawals. They also have a website with support and many tips to help you quit. I have been smoke free for 9 months and have no desire to start back. I also have friends that have used it and quit. One friend smoked for I think 60 years and he has been smoke free now for over a year. It's AWESOME stuff. It's seems like it's expensive since your shelling out $100.00 (Costo, don't need to be a member) but it's really cheaper than smoking. And the payoff is priceless.

I had a very similar problem, but I realized that when there aren't any ciggarettes around that is was easy just to not pick one up.....sure I still wanted one, so I would go outside like I usually did and that would help aswell!

Hope this helps, and good luck!

Join a quit smoking group! The best way to get something done is to be obligated.

#2. Did you know that kids can get second hand smoke inhilation from you clothing? So when you hold your son after his nap you could be intoxicating him. That should be incentive!

When I quit I needed to keep my hands busy so I picked up needle point. It really helped.

What keeps me from going back is my 2 year old. I don't every want to endanger her!

So get out there, join a mom/kid play group and make some friends

Good luck!

My MIL has smoked for over 20 years and recently quit using Chantix, she swears by it.

Read up on that CHANTIX that people are talking about. That drug has supposidly lead to psychotic behavior recently! Older people killiing spouses who never had a mean bone in their bodies, people just going off in rages, etc. I don't know that it IS the drug but they are trying to link it to that anyway.

L.,

I smoked for 8 years and really wanted to quit. When I found out I was pregnant with my son I quit cold turkey. The first trimester sickness helped me kick the habit b/c the thought of a cig just didn't sound good. I would suggest talking to your doctor about trying Chantix, a drug to aid in quitting. Good luck b/c I know it's difficult, but the hard work is worth the reward. I've never felt better and now I can't stand the smell of smoke.

Well I smoked for 21 years and smoked about 21/2 to 3 packs a day when I quit. That was 11 years ago past March. To tell you the truth if you are struggling to quit you don't want to quit.
Try and think about what it is that makes you want to smoke.
I realized that I was smoking because I thought it was calming to me. What a lie. If it was doing anything it was killing me. After that light bulb moment I had a choice to make. I was smoking at the time. I thought that's it for me I quit. I thought about taking one more puff but I decided to put it out and throw all my smoking stuff in a bag. Ashtrays, butts in the car, lighters and cigs. I kept thinking that if I can do it for 5 days I can do it forever. I had heard that your body goes through withdraw for 5 days and then after that it's in your mind. When I think about the money and health that I have gained in the past years I'm very happy to have realized that lie. It's not really any big mental wall that you have to go through like most think. It's a decision just like anything else in life. Once you come out of denial the coast is clear to make that decision.
I do hope the best for you. It sounds like your kind of playing the victim with being alone/weak and it makes you smoke. It's not a reward to smoke! It's a danger to your health and NOTHING else. I can't think of one good thing that comes from it at all. Can you? Nothing makes you do anything but yourself. Own it and then disown it!
I love the fact that you like working on you car! Doesn't sound like a wienie mom to me! :)
C.

L.,

Don't give up!!! I know it's crazy hard but it really is worth it. I smoked for about 12 years before my son was born. I went cold turkey but I've had lapses too. Thankfully my lapses usually only last for 1 or 2 cigs but still...grrrr! My husband has also struggled with quitting for years now. We were both in the military & he is still in: it seems like EVERYONE smokes in the military so if you don't it feels kinda weird. Anyway, I'm going to have to say that he recently went on Chantix & it is wonderful!! He still smoked for about the first 3 weeks (the dr said that was normal) and slowly his desire has just completely faded. He says that occasionally if he's had an extremely tough day he will want one but that's more from habit than anything else. I'd say that 99% of the time he doesn't even think about them anymore. Good luck girl & don't give up!

I have heard good results from Chantix as well. But it is expensive if your insurance doesnt cover it and it does have some side effects. Def do not drink with it! I read an article in People magazine and had a talk with my doctor about it because my sister is on it and this article worried me, he did confirm drinking and taking the meds together are NOT a good combo. There have been two direct deaths in Texas related to Chantix and drinking side effects. Also, the People article noted that the medicine can cause some people psychotic dreams that leave you awake and fearful, so def not good for someone who has anxiety of any kind.

My MIL has rave reviews about a hypnotist who does a seminar every couple of months. Lots of ladies and their husbands at her work have quit. Hypnosis is not "crazy", but if done right it can be affective. There is even a video on his website to show you what it is like. It is also VERY affordable. http://healthywithhypnosis.com/index.php

I notice he does not have any upcoming events in the area, but if you check back he is usually here every other month in the DFW area. He usually does a 4 day trip from Dallas to Fort Worth and cities in between.

I quit smoking six years ago because my boyfriend, now my husband asked me to quit. Much like you, I considered it my reward, my stress reliever and my non-caloric snak. To quit, I tried the patch, it gave me vivid nightmares. After the patch, I started the gum, and I was on the gum for far longer than any doctor would ever recommend or the package directions, but I didn't smoke. After a year (yes, a year) I weened myself off of the gum, mostly because it got too expensive to support my nicotene gum habit. Six years later, I still continue to chew regular chewing gum, so I no longer have the cancer sticks/smokey treats hanging from my mouth, but I do have fresh breath! The only time I "crave" a smokey treat these days is when I "smell" someone smoking my former brand, otherwise, smoke bothers me. Good luck in your quest to stop smoking, but just know your son will thank you for it even if he doesn't ever know you smoked.

A friend of mine told me about this program so I could recommended it to my mom (she has not jumped on yet...). My friend is using their program "Lord's Table" to learn to turn to God and not overeat....she says it is SO powerful, so I thought maybe their Breath Life one for quiting smoking would be helpful. I wish I could tell you first hand it does, but if you are a Christian...this may be a way to tune in to God in those moments of "weakness".

http://www.settingcaptivesfree.com/breath_life/

I don't think 'will power' will get you there, as much as looking at it as a one decision at a time process. Also, replace the weak moments with something else you enjoy...when your child naps, find something to replace smoking, not doing that will be very awkward and you won't have your 'reward'. My 'reward' during the day is dark chocolate...I just eat one piece but it is very helpful. I also like hot tea (if I make it when the kids are up, it gets cold before I drink it). Find what works for you...maybe reading a favorite magazine while chewing gum, etc. I have never been where you are, but do hope you can do it. My mom has emphysema and still smokes...not encouraging for us watching her not care about herself. She almost quit this year until her mom passed away...that did it for her.

I totally understand! What I did was set a date that I was going to quite, that way I could mentally prepare myself. I bought suger free hard candies, and a really nice journal and pen. The night before D-Day I threw away all the ashtrays, lighters and ciggatetts (even if there was still some in the pack), the next 4 days were so hard!! But I did it! I was still working at the time and it was a stressfull job so there were times I thought I was going to literally die! But you don't! Journal your thoughts when you are sitting outside. Try rearanging your outside furniture to where you are sitting in a totally differnt area with a differnt view.

I know it was tough going through the nicotine withdrawls, but I think it was harder to just stop the habits that come with it!

If you need a fun Mommies group, check us out! http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SAHMsSanAntonio/

Good luck! It is so worth it! Once you can call yourself and ex- smoker you are going to be so embarrased that you ever were a smoker!

S.

PS- What kind of car do you have? I like cars too!

I too am a stay at home mom, do not have many friends and get bored. So, when my son would play outside or I would get bored, I'd smoke. I was able to quit w/o any hardships when I found out I was pregnant and during nursing. The minute I stopped nursing, I smoked!!!

So, I started to value my body as if I were pregnant. My body is just as important as my child's. Afterall, he needs me to be healthy and active with him, not tired or drained of vitamins from smoking.

But what got me to really quit was when he was 3yrs. old and said, while I was smoking a cig.; "mommy, i can smoke too, see" and he had a stick and was trying to be like mommy.

I got liquid vitamins, started working out, and did the patch CQ.

use your child as your motivation. The footsteps you "think" you have covered up are going to be the ones your kids follow.

best of luck to you. I know how hard it is. I was a smoker for 9yrs. minus my pregnancy and nursing time. You can do this!!! Just hang in there!!!

L

Hi, L. f. First of all you have to be really sreious about quiting. Next, only god can help you so hand the problem to him. Third, get some aloe vera plants and blend with favorite beverages; after washing the plant. Do this in the morning before eating anything. The more you eat the aloe vera the quicker it works. I quit september 17, 1997; and yet no desire. Good luck L. and god bless. P.s. The aloe vera plant cleanses the blood. Bye take care, liily

I was a smoker pre-pregnancy and one day decided I just didn't want to do it anymore.

I thought a lot about why I smoked, what was so attractive about it. I decided it was the long deep breaths I took while I smoked. My lightbulb turned on and I figured out I could do breathing exercises (what I likened taking a big puff off of a ciggarette to) without the cancer sticks if you know what I mean.

I always used a smoke as a reward too-clean the kitchen, enjoy a smoke. Finish a project at work, enjoy a smoke. Have a problem that needs working out-think about it over a smoke. That was a very difficult mindset to get over.

I had joined a gym not too long before I quit. I made a big ritual of dumping out my smoke supplies in the trash. I had a plan for those times when I would feel OVERWHELMED with the need to smoke. I went straight to the gym after work every single day and on the weekends too and took out all my hostility and desire to smoke on the machines. And hey, how stupid would it look to stand in front of a gym, a place for healthyness, with a smoke? That was a good reinforcer for me.

My Dr. gave me a script for Zyban (Wellbutrin) and I took it for two weeks. Messed with my sleep, maybe the problem was the actual quitting process, but I stopped the pills at two weeks and eventually my sleep returned to normal.

I have had an occaisional puff off of someone else's ciggarette but I can't buy a pack or even smoke a whole one by myself. Too yucky.

One of the BIGGEST tricks of all...this website. I just loved reading Al's stories and his Dear Non Smoking Al letter. Check it out:

http://www.dwlz.com/unhooked/index.html

Hope this helps you! Good luck!

First, I am the daughter of smokers and I am an ex-smoker.
Second, KIDS LEARN WHAT THEY SEE!
Third, if you want to quit, don't make excuses, just do it. Get the patch and do whatever it takes to NOT pass on your addiction to your child.
Fourth, SECOND HAND SMOKE IS MORE DANGEROUS THAN FIRST-HAND.
Fifth, you don't want to do permanent damage! You have not only yourself to think about anymore.
Lastly, I lost my great-grandmother and my granny to cancer, both of whom were smokers.

Dear L., I have first hand advice that works like a charm and I quit smoking a year and a half ago. Your body is depleted of minerals. Get some good liquid minerals from the health food store. One dose will cost about 30-50 cents a day. As you replace the minerals that your body is needing, the yearning for a cig decreases. After about a week on the minerals one evening I realized I'd not even thought about wanting one all day. The next day I "rewarded" myself by taking a smoke (how Stupid is that!) and lit up. It tasted bad. I thought the smokes were stale. I bought a new pack. It too tasted terrible. I had to laugh that with a healthier body, the cigarette tasted nasty. I was never nervous nor experienced withdrawal symptoms. I was a very light smoker but smoked off and on for nearly 40 yrs. (I started at 12 yrs old because I wanted to act grown.) After I started taking the liquid minerals I started sleeping better too. You are not weak--just mineral deficient. C.

There is a new pill you can get from the doctor called CHANTIX. My in-laws (both smokers for over 25 years and both smoking 2-3 packs a day) both quit with this medicine. My brother-in-law and his wife did also. I know it's expensive, but they only bought 2 or 3 months worth and haven't needed anymore since then. The medicine blocks the endorphines that give you the "high" or calm feeling that smoking gives you. Pretty soon, your body feels no reason to smoke because it gets nothing out of it. The in-laws describe the sensation of thinking the cigarettes taste really nasty and stink really bad after the first few weeks which makes you not want them at all. Anyway, I hope this helps. They haven't smoked since February, so I know it works long term too.

With the nicotene patch at first & then the gum. After a while you will get used to doing the things associated with smoking, without having to light up.
Good luck, its a fight well worth the effort, if not for you, then for your son.

You are brilliant to reach out for help.
Use every available bit of information and tools to help yourself. Here are my (low cost)ideas to help you:
1. search your soul for a different reward other than smoking. Have a written list of things you want to do instead of smoking like: drink a glass of water; take a vitamin; read a book; get online and research something insainly interesting to you; search and search for something to truly occupy your mind.
2. learn how to meditate
3. practice visualization. Close your eyes and relax yourself(maybe before going to sleep at night) and imagine yourself as a non smoker. What are you doing? What do you look like? That kind of thing...
4. Try hypnosis
5. do your best to make new friends. They are out there waiting for you to make the effort. Go to the library for story time, join a free moms group or play group in your area. Invite someone with a child around the same age as yours to meet you at the park or mall for lunch. Keeping yourself busy and out of the house more ....will help a lot.
I hope these help and best of luck.
I can tell you are going to be a sucess!

I cut cold turkey and prayed! Find something else to be your reward, watching a movie during his nap, a yoga video! anything. Then clean your house. No matches, lighter, ashtrays, nothing! You can do this, you're not weak.