Quittin’ Cold Turkey

So you want to quit smoking the old-fashion way…cold turkey! Well, the great news is you’re in the majority. The American Cancer Society will tell you that 91% of smokers who quit did it without the use of any crutches or training wheels, just good old-fashion will-power. With a few pointers, you can achieve success. It may be hard, but it’s really very simple.

Taking the First Step
The first thing you need to do when deciding to take the plunge is to decide on a specific day. This will give you a chance to get mentally prepared to change your habits and your lifestyle. You can expect that the first 72 hours will be quite uncomfortable as your body goes through withdrawals from nicotine. You will experience some or all of these symptoms: headaches, irritability, nausea and an overwhelming craving for the drug. These symptoms will generally peak in the body at the 72 hour mark and nearly all the chemicals in your body will be completed removed from the body within 10 days to two weeks. Going through detox is no small chore, so there is no sense in getting started if you are not 110% committed.

Just Cutting Down
There have been countless, half-hearted attempts made to “cut down” on their cigarette smoking. But the problem is the nicotine has a hold of the subconscious mind as well as the body. You cannot cut down on your smoking without experiencing pains from temporary detox. If you are serious about quitting and think you can just cut down, you need to know that you are probably not that strong. Nicotine is one of the worst addictions a body can have. It’s like trying to grab a hurricane. It’s next to impossible. Don’t underestimate your addiction. That’s a sure fire way to lose your battle with it.

Motivation
It’s a great idea to write down all the reasons you want to quit. Make sure your reasons are for you, not someone else. If you are not ready to quit because you want to quit, then it’s not the right time to do it. It is a tremendous undertaking and if you aren’t all in, then you have already lost. Write out all the reasons you want to quit smoking. Read them during the trying times when your will is tested. You will be so glad that you did.

The Most Important Element
The fastest thing you will lose during your quitting transition will most likely be your patience. But give yourself a chance. You have developed your addiction and behavior patterns over many years and it will not be changed overnight. In fact, it really may take as long as three to four months before you are completely comfortable as a non-smoker. You will have challenges, some big and some not so big, during your transition, but you have to stay positive and believe in yourself. If you will give yourself the opportunity to achieve, you can accomplish any goal you set your mind on.