That is a matter of opinion. From a physiological perspective, cold turkey is going to create a greater shock to the system that a lot of people can't handle. I am not saying it can't be done, because I know people who have quit cold turkey. I am saying the withdrawal symptoms are going to be worse doing it cold turkey.
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For you it did, and I am glad it did, but don't discount it for everyone else. How people quit smoking is actually very individualized, and will vary person to person to some level. I am just saying from a purely physiological standpoint, the body feels a greater shock doing it cold turkey. It may have been easier psychologically to do it cold turkey, but the body itself doesn't feel it to be easier.
P
I've been there. It's been years since I smoked a cigarette, and I am very confident that I never will again. Let me tell you how I quit...
I could not quit cold turkey. Some people have, and that's great for them. First I stopped making excuses. I tried to picture in my mind Christ smoking, and I just couldn't do it. Then I tried to picture me lighting a cigarette right in front of God's throne, couldn't do that either. This was not Christ-like, and something that I no longer wanted in my life. And there was no excuse for me to replace one sin with another, so I didn't eat just because I wanted a cigarette. Going to God in prayer is where I needed to seek comfort. But I twirled my hair or took up knitting to replace the physical habit of doing something with my hands.
As for the actual nicotine addiction, I set a timer. I started with one minute- when I had my next craving I had to wait sixty seconds before I could have a cigarette. For every new craving I had to double that waiting time. So one minute turned into two minutes, then four minutes, then eight minutes. Eventually I got up to hours and days. There were times that by the time the timer went off I no longer had the craving, and got busy with something else, so I didn't smoke. Eventually I weaned myself off. And I'm still smoke free years later. I like breathing in deep and feeling my lungs are satisfied. When I see people smoke on tv it disgusts me. I remember the awful taste, the shortness of breath, the stinky smell, the expense. I just don't want it anymore.
I could not quit cold turkey. Some people have, and that's great for them. First I stopped making excuses. I tried to picture in my mind Christ smoking, and I just couldn't do it. Then I tried to picture me lighting a cigarette right in front of God's throne, couldn't do that either. This was not Christ-like, and something that I no longer wanted in my life. And there was no excuse for me to replace one sin with another, so I didn't eat just because I wanted a cigarette. Going to God in prayer is where I needed to seek comfort. But I twirled my hair or took up knitting to replace the physical habit of doing something with my hands.
As for the actual nicotine addiction, I set a timer. I started with one minute- when I had my next craving I had to wait sixty seconds before I could have a cigarette. For every new craving I had to double that waiting time. So one minute turned into two minutes, then four minutes, then eight minutes. Eventually I got up to hours and days. There were times that by the time the timer went off I no longer had the craving, and got busy with something else, so I didn't smoke. Eventually I weaned myself off. And I'm still smoke free years later. I like breathing in deep and feeling my lungs are satisfied. When I see people smoke on tv it disgusts me. I remember the awful taste, the shortness of breath, the stinky smell, the expense. I just don't want it anymore.
Then you have never watched anyone detox from drugs. Yes, its a poison, but its a poison your body is addicted to and to completely cut it off will cause a reaction. Also, I am not speaking from the place of being a casual opinion. I am a certified tobacco interventionist. I have worked with 500+ clients and can tell you that quitting cold turkey causes a greater physical reaction than tapering. It isn't that quitting cold turkey can't work, but that the person is going to encounter issues that a person who tapers or uses nicotine replacement therapy isn't going to face.
Of course it is. However, I am concerned with long term success, and that is what I am focused on. The likelihood of relapse is going to be higher when someone just quits like you are saying. And if a person relapses, his or her self esteem and confidence in their ability to quit drops. I would prefer to prevent that. The average smoker already takes 5-7 true quit attempts to finally quit. With every failed attempt, confidence can be eroded, and I would prefer they be confident to quit.
D
A few years ago, the kicker for the Eagles pulled a groin muscle. And then he needed to kick the ball for a field goal.
Me? I'm telling the team, "Sorry 'bout that. You lose the game." He kicked the ball... oh, and scored!
The obvious question was asked, "WHY?"
"Because it would only hurt for a second or two."
I can pull a band aid off. I can pull a band aid off in slow mo. Cold turkey isn't pulling a band aid off. It's 3-6 weeks of torture... if you're lucky.
Try going without sleep for six days -- cold turkey. It's only going to hurt like pulling a band aid off.
Honestly? Either God gave you a lot of grace to quit, or he wiped your memory of how hard it was, but "pulling a band aid off?" I'm not that dumb to believe that!
Me? I'm telling the team, "Sorry 'bout that. You lose the game." He kicked the ball... oh, and scored!
The obvious question was asked, "WHY?"
"Because it would only hurt for a second or two."
I can pull a band aid off. I can pull a band aid off in slow mo. Cold turkey isn't pulling a band aid off. It's 3-6 weeks of torture... if you're lucky.
Try going without sleep for six days -- cold turkey. It's only going to hurt like pulling a band aid off.
Honestly? Either God gave you a lot of grace to quit, or he wiped your memory of how hard it was, but "pulling a band aid off?" I'm not that dumb to believe that!
D
Sorry, but I already know God sees everything I do. Of all the embarrassing things I've done? Failing this didn't even make the top 100. Long ago, I figured out God's seen me on the toilet.
And part of the reason I did fail because I did what you did. When I needed a cig bad, I did a chore. Little problem. I'm disabled with chronic pain around my waist. If I over do and use my abdominal muscles too much, the pain gets worse. Try and figure out how to do any work without using abdominal muscles. Even walking requires them for balance.
I keep thinking that's all in my head. Who has that problem? It's just stupid. So I kept working -- until I couldn't. Nothing left to do but sit still. (Yes, I prayed -- a lot.) And yet, guess what I was praying about, therefore, thinking about, therefore...
Boom!
If there was "a plan" to quit guaranteed to work, there would be no smokers left.
And part of the reason I did fail because I did what you did. When I needed a cig bad, I did a chore. Little problem. I'm disabled with chronic pain around my waist. If I over do and use my abdominal muscles too much, the pain gets worse. Try and figure out how to do any work without using abdominal muscles. Even walking requires them for balance.
I keep thinking that's all in my head. Who has that problem? It's just stupid. So I kept working -- until I couldn't. Nothing left to do but sit still. (Yes, I prayed -- a lot.) And yet, guess what I was praying about, therefore, thinking about, therefore...
Boom!
If there was "a plan" to quit guaranteed to work, there would be no smokers left.
My husband had only smoked a few years when he got saved. He knew he had to stop, and did immediately. Never touched it again, never wanted to smoke. He has no residual effects, and breathes better than me, a non-smoker (well, asthma and some chemo drugs haven't helped!)
But I do think everyone is different. When I got saved I gave up some pretty heavy drinking and binging habits, and I never had a desire or need for it again. That was after 10 years of drinking! But that was a gift of deliverance from God.
We are all different. We need to check with a doctor, and then do things in a way that will work and keep us from going back to our addiction. I am just glad I was delivered from alcohol, instead of getting involved with AA. I have heard some bad things about AA these days. Because you never break free of AA, so that is not free, IMHO.
Praying you can stop smoking, Lynn!
But I do think everyone is different. When I got saved I gave up some pretty heavy drinking and binging habits, and I never had a desire or need for it again. That was after 10 years of drinking! But that was a gift of deliverance from God.
We are all different. We need to check with a doctor, and then do things in a way that will work and keep us from going back to our addiction. I am just glad I was delivered from alcohol, instead of getting involved with AA. I have heard some bad things about AA these days. Because you never break free of AA, so that is not free, IMHO.
Praying you can stop smoking, Lynn!
D
I couldn't I need my triglyceride meds and my sleeping pills. And I'm too busy with John to look for another new doctor. It seems he fits perfectly for doctors in this area. They all think they're god and know all while patients are simply inconvenience necessities that pay them. He took 15 minutes telling me what was wrong with me, so I want equal time the next time I see him, and hopefully I have a new doctor that can do better. (Can't do worse. He keeps giving me home remedies that are useless as est, and burn holes in my ears at worse.) Oh, and I'll be dead from smoking by September because I'm disgusting.
R
as for smoking, I know how difficult that is, it the same as drinking, It is a very difficult thing to stop, but you can. Keep praying and seeking. I pray right now Lord God that every time she puts a cigarette to her mouth that she gets so sick that she will throw it out, Father I mean puking and can't eat, in the name of Jesus I pray. Amen
I worked with insurance many years and have fought a few battles myself for my insurance to pay. Contact your state insurance board and find out what you can do to keep your wife's insurance from dropping her because she has MS. No one will fight for you and your rights if you don't act yourself. The insurance companies have to comply with state and federal law. Most importantly, pray and fast and ask Jesus for help and guidance. He will answer your pray if you pray believing and in complete faith. God Bless as you and your wife walk in faith through this. We don't always understand why God allows things in our lives but there's always a reason. May Jesus be Glorified in All things. We are to Praise Him in all situations.
May He heal your wife according to His Will for your lives.
May He heal your wife according to His Will for your lives.