How I Quit

[judyb]

HOW I FINALLY STOPPED SMOKING:
By J. E. Jaquez, M.S.
Certified Addictions Specialist

This is how I managed to finally quit, after being a 4 pack-a-day smoker and smoking for over 32 years. Your
smoking has to get to the point where you are having trouble breathing at the simplest tasks like taking a
shower or walking to the mailbox. If you have constantly switched cigarette brands and fail to get that good
hit that you once did, perhaps you are ready to quit. Giving up the cigarette is like burying a loved one...there
is a grief process because the cigarette has always been there with you...when you got up out of bed, when
you drank that cup of coffee, when you went to the restroom, when you answered the phone...good news, bad
news...any reason at all. I combined the nicotine patch with alot of yelling, screaming, cussing,
calling friends on the phone (supportive ones), and telling myself that I was NOT powerless over that cancer
stick. If you can stick it out for 4 days, you got it...the nicotine patch helps alot. You first have to go out to a
quiet place where you can sit and talk to yourself for about an hour. You take all your cigarettes, lighters, ash
trays and smoking gear with you (No
cheating, take EVERYTHING associated with your smoking.)
You sit down and talk to yourself discussing the pros and cons of quitting. This is the place where the
decision is made...it has to be a decision that comes straight from the heart, not the brain. Your heart must
want to quit smoking so you can continue living. If you decide not to quit just now, then you take all your
smoking gear back...if you decide to quit, then you leave your gear there, go to the drug store and buy the
patches. You'll have occasions when you crave a cigarette, but you must postpone that cigarette 5 seconds
at a time, at first it's hard, but anyone can quit for 5 seconds. After the first 5 seconds, then you have another
5 seconds and so on. You stock up with alot of chocolate milk, rock candy, and sweets. You do not carry any
cash with you or credit cards, nor do you stash away cigarettes. You have to make it inconvenient for you to
smoke, by actually going to the bank or asking your wife for money or your check book. If you can hang in
there for 4 days you got it licked. I went from a 4 pack a day habit to 0 and have not had a cigarette in over 3
years. This program is not for everyone, it's for those that have just about given up....you can make it 5
seconds at a time. When you decide to quit, it has to be for you, not for your wife, kids, or anyone else. Find a
supportive friend(s) that you can call anytime of the day or night, someone who's shoulder you can cry
on...because it's the hardest thing you will ever do, it's harder to quit smoking that to quit abusing heroin or
alcohol....The desire to live has to overpower the desire to smoke....Your primary relationship has to change
from the cigarette to you...to have a relationship with yourself and to continue living for years to come....I want
you to imagine yourself walking around with an oxygen bottle...dying of lung cancer is one of the most
disgusting, painful deaths there is. I am an alcohol/ drug counselor and I couldn't quit smoking until I made
a decision to do it for me...all the counseling techniques I know did not work on me, I had to do some serious
soul searching and decision making....It's not easy, but all I know is that you can do it...I did it so can you....let
me know how it goes

Many smokers have tried this simple approach and it has worked for them. This approach is not for
everyone, but give it a shot, it may save your life.

Let me know if it works for you
Joe Jaquez, M.S., CAS
[e-mail]