The Pros and Cons of Quitting Smoking Cold Turkey
Is there an upside to quitting cold turkey?
Flying solo may not be the most successful way to quit, but it does have certain advantages. It takes less time and less work than going to counseling sessions, keeping appointments, and digging deep into the emotional and mental issues behind your smoking habit.
The biggest upside for many smokers is that it is free. That was certainly why Rabinowitz decided to give it a try. “One of the primary motivations for quitting has been the financial cost of smoking,” he says. “I am not inclined to try expensive cessation aids such as patches or medication.”
Tips to help you quit
If you do decide to quit without any outside help, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t at least have a plan. In fact, one of the reasons why unaided attempts fail so often, Glynn says, is because most smokers decide to quit on the spur of the moment or without adequate planning. “Quitting smoking is a process,” he adds. “Cold-turkey quits would be much more successful if smokers prepared ahead of time.”
If you think you may want to try quitting cold turkey, there are some things you can do to boost your chances of success:
- Have a plan. Decide on a quit day and get rid of any items that remind you of smoking—like lighters and ashtrays—ahead of time. Inform your friends and family that you are going to quit and ask for their encouragement.
- Switch it up. Change your routine. If you always smoke when you go out with a certain group of friends, take a break from them—or at least from activities related to smoking—until your withdrawal symptoms subside.
- Keep your mouth busy. Experts say that keeping your mouth occupied—with sugarless gum, cinnamon sticks, or even drug-free, imitation cigarettes—can help you fight the urge to light up.
- Drink water. Rather than munching on food to satisfy your nicotine cravings (which can cause the weight gain that often accompanies smoking cessation), sipping water can keep your mouth occupied and will help you feel alert. Try carrying a water bottle around with you to keep yourself hydrated throughout the day.
- Avoid alcohol and coffee. Stay away from drinks that you may associate with lighting up. “For many smokers, cigarettes and alcohol are interconnected,” says Glynn. “You want to break that connection for a while during quitting.”
- Be active. Easing yourself into a light exercise routine can distract you from smoking, motivate you to stay healthy, and help you avoid post-cessation weight gain.
- Inspire yourself. Make a list of all the reasons why you want to quit and keep it in your pocket. Look at it when you get discouraged.
If after all this you still find yourself struggling with cravings but don’t want to resort to medication, get some support. Find an online smoking-cessation aid, such as the American Lung Association’s Freedom from Smoking program or a local support group, such as Nicotine Anonymous.
Incoming search terms for the article:
Similar articles
- How to Quit Smoking Cold Turkey: Kick the Cigarette Habit without Expensive Gums or Patches
How to Quit Smoking Cold Turkey Kick the Cigarette Habit without Expensive Gums or Patches May 17, 2008 Christina Gleason As many ex-smokers can attest, it can be very difficult trying to figure out how to quit smoking cigarettes. According to an article in the New York Times (Blakeslee, March 29, 1987), cigarette smoking ... - How to Quit Smoking Cold Turkey
Smoking is something that you can take to easily, but quitting smoking can be really tough. You might enjoy it in spite of being aware of its ill effects, but when it starts showing its ill effects, there is no other way than to quit smoking. It might already be too late by the time ... - Stop Smoking Tips Effects of Smoking and Benefits of Quitting Smoking
Smoking is an important risk factor for respiratory illnesses, causing 85,000 deaths per year from pulmonary diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and pneumonia. Everyday, around 1000 Americans are dying because of smoking. One out of every six men is dying in United States because of smoking. This makes clear that smoking is one ... - Stop Smoking Tips Stop Smoking Aids
Every day in the United States alone, approximately 3,000 kids under the age of 18 start smoking. To stop smoking is really tough job to be done. It is easy to ask someone who smokes to stop smoking. Ask someone, who has stop smoking, how hard it had been for him/her. The reply you get ... - Free Quit Smoking Action Plan
Planning to Quit Smoking Having followed the tips so far (see how to quit smoking) you are ready to put together your stop smoking action plan. You should now have five statements, numbered 1 to 5, which form the backbone of the personal action plan you will follow to quit. You did make notes, didn’t ...
Twitter