subject: Steps for Quitting Cold Turkey [print this page] Steps for Quitting Cold Turkey Steps for Quitting Cold Turkey
Now that we've established how annoying non-smokers can be, let's talk about ways to end this horrible addiction. There are many products available. If you need help to quit, you should review them, and choose the one that appeals to you.
Cold turkey used to be the only way to quit smoking. The best part of this method is that it doesn't cost anything. Okay, that's the party line. Money may not be involved, but to say it doesn't cost a lot of effort, and sometimes a relationship or two, is to prove beyond a doubt you've never used it or never smoked in the first place.
Withdrawing from nicotine is not child's play. Your body craves the nicotine you've been supplying for however long you've been smoking. To ask it to accept new and sudden conditions without preparation is asking a lot. Still, for some, this approach works. If you choose this method, give yourself a head start. Plan ahead and you could succeed. Good luck if you try this route. It does have some advantages.
For one thing, if you are successful, you could be done with nicotine for good. It will take some time to clear the nicotine out of your system naturally, but it will happen within a few days. Once it does, your only concerns are psychological. The things that made you want to smoke before will still be there; and even if your body is free of the drug, your mind will still want you to reacquaint yourself with its old toxic friend.
If you plan to give up nicotine completely on your own, there are some things you can do to give yourself a leg up. Take a few days off work. Your co-workers will thank you for not being around while you're going through withdrawal. Besides, a few days off will get you away from your normal work related smoking cues, and you'll have a better chance of relaxing when you feel the urge to light up.
Plan what you are going to do with your time off. Take walks. Play sports. Visit people who don't make you nervous. Even more to the point, avoid your friends and relatives who smoke. It is too easy to bum just one, and before you know it, you are back to buying your own packs and feeling relieved that you have given up on quitting.
Make sure you have plenty of snacks on hand. Yes, you can gain weight when you substitute eating for smoking, but right now, you are going through a very intense stage, and need to have things you enjoy to ease your transition. Of course, if you like carrots, celery, and other such low-calorie fare, you may keep the extra pounds at bay. However, if you prefer pretzels, chips, and candy, giving yourself free access to these treats may help you avoid the very harmful cravings that will no doubt be your constant companions at first.
Drink plenty of liquids. You need to flush the toxins out of your system. Fruit juice and water can help. If your favorite drink happens to be pop, just don't drink the caffeinated kind.
The main thing you want to do now is distract yourself from temptation. Read books, watch movies, or do puzzles. In short, fill your days with things that give you pleasure. Give yourself the time you need to relax, breathe, and succeed. Good luck.
Others have been able to use this method of quitting. However, there are plenty of alternatives for less determined smokers, and we'll explore some of those tomorrow.
Until then, you may want to try an interesting Nicotine Withdrawal Program designed to naturally wean your body off of nicotine in 3-6 months. For more detailed information, please see the Nicotine Withdrawal Program.
