[operatorius]

I have attempted numerous times quitting smoking with no success. During the withdrawls I wasn't able to function properly: blurred vision, couldnt concentrate, mood swings and sleepless nights.

Smoking has a negative impact on my both physical and mental health. I have been smoking for almost 10 years, a pack a day

Could anyone who have successfully quit smoking share your stories and tips?

[tcj_phx]

Niacinamide (a form of Vitamin B3) is supposed to be somewhat similar to nicotine, and supposedly helps with nicotine withdrawal.

I think someone here at HN informed me that tobacco also has MAOI properties. Searching now turned up this link: "The results suggest that the inhibition of MAO activity by compounds present in tobacco smoke may combine with nicotine to produce the intense reinforcing properties of cigarette smoking that lead to addiction." -https://www.jneurosci.org/content/25/38/8593

You may find a MAOI helpful with getting your tobacco use under control: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monoamine_oxidase_inhibitor (a reversible MAOI would be preferable)

[contingencies]

That's expected: I'm yet to meet anyone who can work effectively during withdrawls.

To resolve, just leave yourself at home or at a hotel with nobody else, a decent TV serial (BBC's various history documentary series are a great go-to) or computer game and food, and admit it will take three days for cravings to subside. It helps a little if you exercise. It's actually really easy, once you've succeeded once.

The real key is then not putting yourself in high risk situations (ie. drinking) for a week or two, because any time you restart is usually because of that. That was my hardest hurdle.

It can help to sync the quit with a change of environment or heavy endurance exercise (eg. multi-day hiking/cycle-touring which helps clear your lungs). Don't try to quit while stressed out at work or on a short timeline, that's just self defeating.

[stolenmerch]

I was in the same exact boat as you but have been free of it for 10 years now. I was terrified because I NEEDED cigarettes to concentrate and do my job. I couldn't envision doing challenging technical work without regular smoke breaks. I tried to quit several times and always relapsed.

The only thing that worked for me was to slowly cut back and let my brain adjust. Finally, when I was down to 1-2 cigs per day, I set a cold turkey date. I still had to white knuckle it through the first 3 weeks of zero cigarettes but the cravings eventually began to die down. For maybe the first year after that I had triggers every month or so I had to manage, but I didn't want to stumble so I just powered through them. Finally, I stopped having cravings.

I know some people say they still have cravings 20 years later but I don't. I stand outside with smoker friends and don't feel any need to join them. All the good things about not smoking have come true for me. It's so worth the up-front struggle. Please try your hardest and it WILL work!

[shawndellysse]

I tried for years and believe it or not this is what finally worked for me: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcosBFS7lA8

One day I'd decided that I'd had enough, I was tired of wasting so much of my life. After undergoing that hypnosis, quitting wasn't easy, but it was super do-able for the first time ever.

[nmfisher]

Nicotine gum. Works wonders to manage the physical addiction symptoms (crawling skin & jitters).

Every time you think of having a cigarette, pop a piece of gum. Don’t worry about moderating your dose, you’ll reduce it over time automatically without noticing anyway.