All tips : - Quit cold turkey 1:16 - Dont carry cigarettes 1:38 - Quit one day at a time 2:07 - Develop a positive attitude 2:32 - Be prepared for triggers 3:14 - Drink juice 4:10 - Make a list 5:02 - Weight control measures 5:57 - Be prepared for stress 7:03 - Understand addiction 8:02 - Control your internal debates 9:12 - Save your money 9:55 - Careful of crutches, Deep breathing 10:19 - Go to place you can't smoke 10:48 - Tell people you are quitting 11:18 - Only two good reasons to smoke 11:47 ===> NEVER TAKE ANOTHER F**** PUFF !!!
I'm proud to be an ex smoker. It took me over 100 times of quitting before it stuck. Every time I slipped I told myself that I'm gonna be living with a smoking related illness. I went online to see the most graphic pictures of lungs that I could find. I made myself look at those graphic images of smokers lungs while smoking. I started getting shortness of breath and had a few cigarettes left. I quit on impulse with a few left. I told myself that I could have a cigarette if I wanted after 24 hours and I told myself that if I don't quit now it's gonna be harder to get. After 24 hours I craved one really badly and then told myself just get through the next five seconds which I knew I could do. Just kept focusing getting by the next five seconds during those three days. I sucked on regular lollipops with the sugar when I craved one. Then I started rapping out loud to distract myself. Now that I'm through the physical withdrawal period the physiological cravings are still around. I haven't given in. I'll write it out how much I crave. On the other hand I wasted $200 a month for smoking. It's awesome having extra money an extra $200 per month. I'm gonna go to a different country with all the money saved. I have a best friend who keeps slipping. I fully understand because I've done the same. I tell her just learn what caused you to slip and learn from it. I saw a video called "Thanks tobacco you killed my mom." Made me want to never take another puff. I'd recommend watching it. My indigestion is not as bad as it used to be since quitting smoking. I recently had my lungs checked and I'm grateful that no cancer or emphysema was found.
Congratulations on your quit Sista Tang: I am going to attach a number of resource pages addressing different issues you touched on here in your reply, pretty much in the order you first touched on specific topics. Hope you find them helpful. Joel whyquit.com/joels-videos/be-proud-that-you-quit-smoking/ whyquit.com/joels-videos/smokers-dont-have-to-quit-multiple-times-before-they-will-succeed/ whyquit.com/joels-videos/i-know-i-will-quit-again/ whyquit.com/joels-videos/words-that-translate-to-relapse/ whyquit.com/joels-videos/the-use-of-scare-tactics/ whyquit.com/joels-videos/feel-how-smoking-affects-the-lungs/ whyquit.com/joels-videos/setting-quit-dates/ (addresses the quitting on impulse) whyquit.com/joels-videos/resources-related-to-keeping-cigarettes-or-nicotine-replacement-products-after-quitting/ whyquit.com/joels-videos/one-day-at-a-time/ whyquit.com/joels-videos/i-will-not-smoke-today/ whyquit.com/joels-videos/crutches-to-quit-smoking/ whyquit.com/joels-videos/using-deep-breathing-as-a-safe-and-effective-quitting-aid/ whyquit.com/joels-videos/difference-between-physical-and-psychological-urges/ whyquit.com/joels-videos/craves-and-thoughts-that-occur-over-time/ whyquit.com/joels-videos/money-wasted-on-cigarettes/ whyquit.com/joels-videos/helping-others-quit/ whyquit.com/joels-videos/videos-related-to-the-implications-of-a-puff-once-you-have-quit/ (This page has lots of resources that can help you as well as your friend who keeps RELAPSING. whyquit.com/joels-videos/is-relapsing-on-nicotine-a-good-learning-experience-2/ whyquit.com/joels-videos/unexpected-benefits-after-quitting/
6 years for me now. And what a life changing 6 years it has been after i stopped. My mother passed away in 2018 from COPD,... My father is currently battling lung cancer going through chemotherapy. It has been totally overwhelming. But not once did i ever feel the urge or even the need to light up a cigarette in these 6 years. I know how they are, how they are manufactured and how they work. As you said in one of your videos: "You're not going to win by being stronger, you win by being smarter". I came to know my weaknesses, my triggers and also to lock the backdoors. Seeing your own mother battle through COPD through the years and now your father with lungcancer is quite an experience. And which is an experience that you know could have been avoided if it were not for cigarettes. For me this chapter in my life is closed and done with. I just wanted to really express my thanks and gratitude to you Joel. Your videos and advice and lectures really really helped me in dire straits when i was stopping. There is no amount of gratitude i can offer that would suffice what you have done for me, but i wish you really all the best with all my heart and the sincerest Thank You. Tom Powers 2021.
@Summer Thank you. Cigarettes robbed everything from our lives. It is the worst addiction possible that was manufactured with lies and promises throughout the decades in commercials and magazines and television that gave nothing but took everything. If it managed to do one thing positive.... It is to show the world how easily it is to deceive the human mind. #NeverAgain
Joel was the biggest help to my cold turkey. I watched just about every single one of his videos in “Joel’s Library” on his website. 10 months without a cigarette and counting.
Joel, I probably listened to 30% of your advices. List, no chance, Cranberry Juice, we do not have here in Brazil. But with the 30% I stopped, cold turkey, a 35 years addiction. Today, 16 months without a cigarret. And very, very, very happy that I don´t even understand how I liked it. Thanks man.
I had a 25 year addiction to cigarettes that I'm proud to say ended 2 years ago. Fortunately I discovered Joel's videos during the toughest days (the first month) of my cold turkey quit, and I made it. I strongly suggest that people watch his relapse prevention videos, so you'll know in advance what to expect and how to manage the urge to smoke. Go back and visit them from time to time if you're feeling down or having a rough day. Constant reinforcement will keep you strong. Above all, avoid any type of substitution method (nicotine replacement, Chantix, etc.) because all you are doing is replacing one problem with another (or compounding your problem with yet another habit). I tried almost everything before cold turkey, and they all failed within a couple of months. Developing the strength and character to stop feeding the addiction is 90% of the battle, and you're not going to get there with substitutes. You can't imagine how pleasant life is when you have ZERO desire to smoke, and you'll get their by sticking to Joel's personal commitment to NTAP. Stop making excuses and just do it. Freedom awaits you!
You're an amazing man who has done and continues to do such important and needed work esp via your website and all it's great content! I'm now 8 months FREE and have absolutely NO DESIRE TO EVER TAKE ANOTHER PUFF!! I even can drink some beers or something stronger and still have no desire! I LOVE FEELING FREE and while a combination of factors led to my quitting, your website was indeed helpful in my confronting my addiction. Cheers Joel (Y) :)
Hey. I am 29, I have two kids. I have been smoking since I was about 14. So an addiction spanning half my lifetime. Your video has helped me in my most darkest moment. My daughter is 2, I love her to bits, but shes been so lively today with teething and what not, and at 4pm was my 72 hour mark since I stopped cold turkey. My brain started playing all sort of tricks on me, trying to convince me that smoking was a good idea, me and my daughter had a nap for 20 mins and I dreamt I smoked, the dream was so convincing when I woke up I thought I had smoked and almost actually smoked lol. Anyway, the point being is, I was at that moment, pure frustration, peeking anxiety, climbing the walls with insanity, and then I remembered your video and watched it through (twice). Your calm/soothing voice managed to stop me tweeking so bad and then reason and talk sense back into myself. I hope that is the worst over with, and I just wanted to thank you personally. Without this video today I think I would have given up and smoked, and I didn't as I had this to turn to. Thank you so much. Good luck to anyone else who is kicking this horrible habbit.
I could wish you luck but when it comes down to it, good luck has nothing to do with your ability to succeed and bad luck has nothing to do with your chances of relapse. You need to understand that you can quit and stay off under any kind of good or bad situations. Check out the video "I will quit when." It will help to clarify this issue. Also check out video "Watching others smoke" and "Are there social smokers."
Dear Joel, I just want to say how grateful I am to have stumbled onto your work related to smoking cessation. There is no better material or technology for self help out there than your life work. I was a 15 cigarettes a day smoker for 10+ years, after failing around 20-30 times trying to quit and investing several hours in reading your material, I finally quit cold turkey around 2 years and 5 months or so ago.. I haven't looked back since and have never taken another puff.. Yes it was hard, and yes it was totally worth it.. Thank you! More power to you! Warm regards..
You are very welcome Rakesh. I am glad that you found my resources helpful. If there is ever anything more I can do to help please don't hesitate to get in touch. Joel
Thanks Joel for your powerful and inspiring videos. I'm smoke free for 15 months now and I would watch your videos daily for the first few weeks. It is such a nice feeling to come back to these videos to be reminded of how I began my journey. I don't think I would have been successful had I not been exposed to your utter conviction and dedication to getting people free from nicotine.
Happy to have been able to help Mark. I am glad that you initially found the videos and watched them daily to get your quit off to a good start, and then continued to stop in every now and then to reinforce your quit. I had set up the pages whyquit.com/joels-videos/videos-related-to-the-implications-of-a-puff-once-you-have-quit/ and whyquit.com/joels-videos/relapse-prevention-resources/ for this purpose, for former smokers to stop by occasionally to keep their resolve reinforced over the long-term. For while it may be nice that I have a conviction to help people quit, in reality the key to success for every former smoker to sustain their quits is for them to have their own conviction to never take another puff.
One thing my sister did is she kept track of every hour since she quit. (Writing it down.) And comparing it to the charts you can find about what is happening to your body at certain points of quitting. Like what is being restored and just how fast it's being restored. All just to remind herself how far she has come and how bad it would be to just give up. Think about what you stand to lose.
+LucidDream Related videos are Limitations with Quitmeters th-cam.com/video/jmPdCyK8_gE/w-d-xo.html and Make a list of why you want to quit th-cam.com/video/ZgZ-PZyIOqs/w-d-xo.html
I have to quit. The back surgeon won't work on me if I smoke. I've been smoking 45 years and am in very significant pain. I have everything to gain and so much to lose. I really like your approach. Tomorrow is my first day. I've made my list. I only put 10 reasons, but they are good ones. Thank you for offering your help.
Videos related to these basic quitting tips: Cold turkey quitting Carrying Cigarettes One day at a time If you quit smoking with a lousy attitude... Be proud that you quit smoking Avoiding situations where you used to smoke Blood sugar symptoms Make a list of why you want to quit Weight control concerns after quitting smoking Incorporating exercise after quitting Resources explaining interaction between nicotine and stress Are you a nicotine junkie? "I want one!" Money wasted on cigarettes Crutches to quit smoking Smoking triggers Telling others that you have quit smoking Good reasons to take puff on a cigarette after having quit smoking Quitting is more doable than most people think Never take another puff
I don't even think I'm addicted to it (nicotine) anymore. I think it's just habitual. Things that just trigger a natural response to smoke. I never say, "I'm dying for nicotine" I say, "Coffee... yup, that's my cue to flip my Bic." Doesn't make it any better, but I really believe that anymore. Good videos, in any case. Nice to see someone saying, "You can do it" and not, "Do it, you filthy smoker."
Congratulations on there years Rachel. I am glad that you found the resources helpful. It there is ever anything more I can do to help please feel free to get back in touch. Joel
Thank you, Joel! I'm on day 10 after having been a nicotine addict for over 40 years. For the first time in my life, I understand the true nature of smoking. You have been a huge blessing to me. I appreciate you more than words can say.
good video, makes me feel good about 24 hours of no-smoking so far! Tomorrow i'll just start over the same way i did today instead of thinking 'this is my second day' Thank you for the good tip!
I am on day FIVE cold turkey. It has been so difficult but I am trying to stay positive and stay focused on NOT smoking, even though my boyfriend isn't ready to quit yet. THANK YOU for this video it really helped me keep things in perspective!
Every time I get the craving to smoke, I just think about the FSC carpet glue they put on the paper, works like a champ every time. I'll never smoke again.
Thanks for all your help, Joel. You are truly dedicated and you make so much difference to the smokers of the world that want and need to quit. I have been free of nocotine for the last 20 days 18 hours; not smoked 540 ciggs; saving £164.77 which is 5g 400mg of tar NOT inhaled!!! The tar always amazes me. Over 5.5gms in 3 weeks!! But I've smoked for over 42yrs.... thats a hell of a lot of tar. I cant do this any more, but its you that has made me think of the whole package not just 1 ciggy xxx
I did that commitment..never take another puff..is already 20 days...It is hard Mr Joel.by the way I did on cold turkey...anyway thanks so much for your advice ...finally I give a present for myself after 40 years of smoking....God Bless you Joel .The world need more people like you!!Happy 2016....Greetings for Brazil....cheers
Thank you, Joel. You were instrumental in my quitting this filthy habit. I am currently 54 years old. I smoked since I was about 12-13. I quit on September 24, 2014, when I was 52 years and 11 months old. So, I have been smoke free for 16 months, and I couldn't be happier. I feel great, breathing better. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
I successfully quit due to Joel Spitzer's videos. It's been five years since I made it through that first day. It DOES end! There is a point coming where you will never want one again! You will live totally normal, good, and bad days without even thinking about smoking. The only reason I came to see this video is because I saw someone who resembled Joel and am now hit with nostalgia. You can make it!!!
Today is day 1 for me. I've smoked 33 years, quit several times but I just can't do it anymore. I'm tired of the smell, the guilt, the pain and the waste. Thank you, Joel for your awesome videos. God bless you, sir.
Thanks to you're videos I am now entering my 3rd month without a single puff of a cigarette and I have done so cold turkey thanks to advice you gave on a different video. I still get urges to smoke but they are not very strong and I am 100% certain I can go the rest of my life without ever smoking again.
Joel, I wish to thank you from the bottom of my heart. I haven’t touched a cigarette for 8 years now…I had to look that up as I stopped counting after 2 years. I’m not going to be one of those ex smokers that still feels they could murder a cigarette after ten years. This is down to all your many videos and the FB page and on line support on the web. I used to watch the videos over and over…thankfully you have made so many it always felt fresh…a sort of self directed cognitive therapy using your free resources managed to retrain the way my brain thought about smoking….you now couldn’t pay me enough to put one in my mouth THANK YOU from a grateful limey 👍🤓👍
Thank you Joel. I quit smoking on my 40th birthday. Your video has helped significantly - I've watched it 5 times. I did cold turkey and never looked back. In my car I put the list of why I hate smoking and I would reach for that instead of smoking. My life has forever changed and I am thankful to you for your help. Jennifer
Thanks, Joel-- I quit on July 4, 2007 by going cold turkey and watching your videos, after smoking for 16 years. The first week was rough, but it eased up after that and I recall the 6 month mark and realizing I had no cravings and no longer thought about it at all. Cheers!
Hey just wanted to say i watched this video last friday at 2am, had a smoke and quit cold turkey. its now been 7 days and i have not smoked a puff since. Thank you so much!!
Hey man I want to say thank for this.... It's been 2months since I quit and I don't want or feel like going back I did go cold turkey and you are right it's not impossible to quit....coming from a 25-30 a day smoker I did it so thank you Joel
all your tips are great and true. another thing that helped me alot is running on a treadmill - it gives you a similar high and headrush as smoking and helps breathing right away!
Back again for the third time. This last binge has only been 4 months, but the grip it has on me feels like it's been years. I'm only 21 and this last year I've quit twice, once for four months, relapsed, then again for three for months, relapsed, and today I had a moment of clarity that this addiction as of now is only 4 months strong. I feel like I'm fighting this monster and with each blow it gets weaker and weaker. Cold turkey is the way to go, I feel like it gets easier each time because I'm familiar with how great life can be without smoking. Even if I fail after some months, the window of freedom is so good that it will be worth it. Good luck to all!
Jacob, here are a number of resources addressing smokers who have a hard time keeping their quits going: whyquit.com/joels-videos/i-know-i-will-quit-again/ whyquit.com/joels-videos/smokers-dont-have-to-quit-multiple-times-before-they-will-succeed/ whyquit.com/joels-videos/is-relapse-a-natural-part-of-the-quitting-process/ whyquit.com/joels-videos/videos-related-to-the-implications-of-a-puff-once-you-have-quit/ whyquit.com/joels-videos/relapse-prevention-resources/
+bully VEVO In reality, luck has nothing to do with whether you will succeed or not. Check out this video: Is this an unlucky day to quit smoking? th-cam.com/video/Aas0vMVje18/w-d-xo.html
I have flushed my cigarettes and made an honest list of goals to review whenever I get withdrawals. I'll feel good about using my list to reinforce my decision. I anticipate withdrawals will be bad but not as bad as having to go through it again. Thanks for the leads and wish me luck.
Good that you made the list. Related video: th-cam.com/video/ZgZ-PZyIOqs/w-d-xo.html As far as for anticipating withdrawal to be bad, check out the videos "Every quit is different" th-cam.com/video/fYHkaGt-YhE/w-d-xo.html and What is nicotine withdrawal really like? th-cam.com/video/WbEoMEpmMX4/w-d-xo.html
Allow me to share 2 things that I learned after quitting: 1) You can only quit if you make it your top priority. As long as you cite things that you think are more important than smoking, you won't succeded in quitting; 2) All excuses you have for smoking are a form of delusion, created by you to sustain your addiction. Nicotine actually *increases* stress (faster heartbeat, raised blood pressure). What you perceive as stress is actually nicotine withdrawal. Sorry for being blunt, and good luck!
I wish I watched this vid earlier. I quit smoking 3 months ago. Now watching this vid, I am realizing how I passed all stages you described. My only motivation was the fact that I was thinking of a puff the very first second I woke up and panic if I run out of it. For those who wants to quit : U should find a good reason to quit. Instead of juice I ate fruit and for the weight control have been jogging and eating oatmeal for brkfst. Lost 14 kilos (30pounds) and now can run 5km a day. Happy ))!!
I spent almost three years suffering from chronic anxiety and only by watching this video I realised that it was in fact nicotine withdrawal that was causing it. When you said, "Take just one puff every third day and you can make withdrawal last forever", it clicked. I had been chewing nicotine gum and using a very low nicotine e-cig and taking the odd cigarette now and again (maybe one a week with a beer) and by doing so, I somehow convinced myself that I wasn't addicted to nicotine because I could go a long time without any but I'd always chew at least a piece of gum a day and vape a little in between. It clicked from watching this, that all along I was putting myself in a state of perpetual withdrawal, as the amount of nicotine I was taking in was nowhere near the levels I was when I was smoking cigarettes regularly (15 a day for around a decade) , yet was enough to keep the withdrawal going. I convinced myself that anxiety was just part of my make up. I made the commitment to never take another puff, chew, vape etc and have been anxiety free ever since. I didn't even suffer any withdrawal effects, I think because I was so happy that I was free from my anxiety for the first time in what seemed like forever. From the bottom of my heart, thank you, Joel. You have changed my life. What you do is wonderful and should be prescribed to addicts instead of NRT and whatever other con they push on people to "help" them quit. Amazing work.
Glad you found my materials Krissy and were able to free yourself from the perpetual withdrawal you were stuck in for all of that time. Here are a few pages that touch on different issues you raised here. whyquit.com/joels-videos/quitting-by-gradual-withdrawal/ whyquit.com/joels-videos/prolonging-nicotine-withdrawal/ whyquit.com/joels-videos/how-can-i-be-addicted-i-can-go-hours-without-smoking/ whyquit.com/joels-videos/quitting-smoking-can-make-you-calmer-happier-and-healthier/ Once again, glad that I was able to help. Joel
You are the best stop smoking go to on TH-cam hands down. And you are doing this all for free. That really is ... idk what to say, heart warming... But without you i and many others probably would have never stopped. I promise i will link ppl to this channel and do everything that i have learned from you to help other ppl stop that wants and asks. All love to you Joel
this video has been really helpful i last smoked a cigarette a week ago was struggling i subscribed im sure ill need moe of your advice over the coming weeks thank you
I was never a heavy smoker as such 3 a day 10 some times other times I would go weeks with out smoking but my problem was I got addicted to e cigarettes and then the spray ,,I'm off the spray now about 8 days tough but I really want to stop this damn anxiety associated with Nicotine . Well done on your work Joel there are people who are a lot worse than me ...
1:15 - Watch until this point, and you've learned everything you need to take in to quit smoking. He's absolutely right. 20 years on the nail coffins for me, and this was the only way.
Thanks Joel for this info. I stopped smoking 30 July 2018 (146 days ago). I smoked for 42 years. Everything you said here is true. I went cold turkey (but I did use Wellbutrin to help with craving during withdrawal for 2 wks). I will never buy or smoke another cig. I am so done with Cigs. I win. I am still battling but will win the war.
Congratulations on your five month quit here. Glad to have been able to help. As far as for still struggling, there is a chance that some of what you are experiencing now is holiday trigger issues. Check out the page whyquit.com/joels-videos/holiday-related-resources/ that addresses this issue. If by battling you mean having some kind of ongoing physical symptoms, be careful as to writing them off now to having quit smoking in July. The page whyquit.com/joels-videos/life-goes-on-without-smoking/ addresses this kind of issue. If you have any specific questions or concerns let me know. I am glad to help any way I can. Joel
My mother smokes. She would like to quit, but... you know, excuses. I would like to quit, I was trying to quit multiple times. I am sick of waiting for her to give me money for them, especially like now, when she is at work, and won't be here until 5 hours. And I am penniless right now. I am very addicted. I smoke more than 2 packs a day. But, I want also to tell you that I am angry at my mom. She lives with me, is a smoker, but who undermines my efforts, and every time I fail, she has less and less faith in me. Now, because I smoke a lot, she is always mad when I'm taking her cigarettes. And once, when I attempted to quit, I was always secretly enraged at her. Especially because she leaves her pack in the kitchen. If she understood English well enough, I would FORCE her to watch your videos with me. But, she doesn't. Isn't my mother supposed to be proud of me because I'm trying my ass off to quit?
I didn't smoke 2 hours... and I came here for help, because I want to quit smoking. If I didn't want that, I would just go to bed, and just think of her coming home with my "precious nicotine gift"......
Here are videos related to issues you have raised: The importance of quitting for yourself th-cam.com/video/CwYQ6fq9ZCI/w-d-xo.html "My support group is responsible" th-cam.com/video/TQI3vRBNIkg/w-d-xo.html Make sure your quit is not contingent on others th-cam.com/video/GOWgCR-D_ZE/w-d-xo.html "You will never make it, here have a cigarette" th-cam.com/video/3OlJurrxRE0/w-d-xo.html Money wasted on cigarettes th-cam.com/video/aQTxFbzhFZk/w-d-xo.html "How can I quit if I live with a smoker?" th-cam.com/video/SfAzBb0l6ZM/w-d-xo.html Offers for cigarettes th-cam.com/video/zvlAPiZ3lqg/w-d-xo.html Finding cigarettes th-cam.com/video/brveK9MYgEw/w-d-xo.html
Thank you so much for your quick response with personalized recommendations! :) I'll watch the videos, and check out everything which is in the descriptions, when I finish Day 0 videos from the library.
I send this video to everyone that tells me they want to quit. Seems more are jumping on the "vap' craze, but I rather have the extra money in my pocket, haha. I quit after watching a bunch of these videos. 3 months no puffs. So much easier than I ever thought possible. Really having it explained as an addiction really helped to get through the first 72 hrs. But man I have to say after 1 month I had some heavy cravings maybe worst than the first 72, the triggers almost got me, but once through I haven't had a craving in a few days now, and it is only when around a bunch of smokers.
Related videos: Crave or thoughts for cigarettes that occur over time Dual use of cigarettes and electronic cigarettes E-cigs as effective as nicotine patches First television ads for e-cigarettes with the theme "Reclaim your freedom" "Miracle" aids for quitting smoking Nicotine Addiction Nicotine is nicotine is nicotine
Just Updating my previous posts. 9 months no puff!, and never crave it! even when seeing someone or around someone. I have DDD, or Degen disc disease that made life hell for me. If your have this you know there is nothing you can do accept wait until your old enough for surgery. Then once you have surgery you can expect to need more surgeries until you die. I was in pain all the time, I couldn't run, exercise, even walking could only be for a few hundred feet before I needed a rest. I am 36 years old and I am an old man. I always had to force people to cater their activities around my pain threshold. When I quit smoking 9 months ago, I really had no thoughts that my back pain would get more manageable. I ate too much sugar when I first quite smoking too and put on some weight. 25 lbs which I lost since then and down even more. My doctors always mentioned, "If you quit smoking and work-out.." but we all know we just put that stuff off or think "if you had this pain you would realize that is unrealistic." I tried to quit before, with patches, e-cigs and nic gum. Never worked and never will work, it is designed to fail. You cannot treat and addiction with that addiction. When I finally realized just need to get rid of nicotine all together, and it wouldn't be as hard as my mind wanted it to be, I was able to quit for good. Now about that back problem. Once I was out of the obsession period of nicotine, about 36 hrs for me. my back pain started to go away. Not just get better, but completely go away. What I did not know, was that the nicotine affected my bodies ability to heal for all these years. 5 years of pain, and getting this nasty drug out of my body finally, allowed me to have a quality of life I only dreamed of. Knowing that cigerettes kept me from not only feeling healthy but actually kept me in a constant state of pain means I am pretty confident that I will never smoke again (knock on wood) but when I see a cig, I see pain. I can only keep thanking Joel for posting this information for free. I hope that more people stumble on these quick videos and hear something that helps them break free of this nasty addiction. Oh and I am back in the gym doing Juice fasts. Down 50 lbs since my back pain went away.
Thanks Albatraoz. If you have any specific questions or concerns regarding smoking or quitting issues please feel free to get back in touch any time. Joel
You are welcome bruiserbob. I do have two pages of resource materials that I suggest all former smokers go through over time, at this point in your quit you could just go through one or two links from each page per month spending as little as 10 or 15 minutes total. Doing it this way you could keep your quit reinforced for years. Check them out: whyquit.com/joels-videos/relapse-prevention-resources/ whyquit.com/joels-videos/videos-related-to-the-implications-of-a-puff-once-you-have-quit/
Nice and soothing voice. Love it. Smart turkey for rational people out there is much better than cold turkey. Weird thing is , Alan Carr’s book was not as supportive as those 12 minutes you offered. Thank you , God bless you. Greetings from Germany.
Thanks Hristian: I think it is easier to come off as supportive in a video format than it is in a book format. I have a general standard reply page set up for when I get asked questions about Allen Carr's book. Here is a link to that page: whyquit.com/joels-videos/allen-carr-comparisons/ As far as for "smart turkey" being better than "cold turkey," well smart turkey is really just another form of cold turkey. I never want to say anything that discourages cold turkey quitting, or discourage people who are not using my own or any other person's, group or organization for help. My page whyquit.com/joels-videos/are-people-doomed-to-fail-if-they-dont-get-professional-help-to-quit-smoking/ discusses this concept. Glad to have been able to help Hristian and if you have any further questions or concerns feel free to get in touch. Joel
ITS MY FIRST DAY TODAY .... IHAVE BEEN SMOKING FOR MORE THAN 8 YRS BUT NOW IAM REALLY DEDICATED TO QUIT .... I AM 25 YRS OLD I WANT TO SEE MYSELF AS A BETTER PERSON WITH BETTER FUTURE ..... I HAVENT SMOKED ANY CIGGERETTE TODAY AND I FELT REALLY CONFIDENT AND SLIGHTLY BETTER IN MOOD :) THIS VIDEO IS REALLY HELPFUL ...... THANKS A LOT
on my 3rd day...my will power keeps me going. stop smoking folks, never helps in anyway. when using the toilet, after your meal, when you are depressed, when you are cold..blah, blah, blah,....everything about smoking is psychological.
croc adile Check out the video Should I find a quit smoking buddy? Also related, "My support group is responsible" and The importance of quitting for yourself
pirvustefanedward "you will get very angry very sad and very strange for the 1week or 2 but then things really start to calm down. " Related videos: Every quit is different, Comparing quits with others, Predestined bad days after quitting smoking and The emotional stages of loss
croc adile Baking soda actually has the capability of prolonging nicotine withdrawal. Decades ago there were people in tobacco control who thought it would be good to use because it seemed to help people to smoke a few less cigarettes a day. The way it did this though was by slowing the excretion rate of nicotine. You will notice in a few of my videos I talk about one of the benefits of increasing acidic kind of juices when first quitting, especially cranberry juice. This recommendation is based on the juices ability to acidify the urine, speeding up the excretion rate of nicotine a bit. It is doing the exact opposite thing that baking soda does. It may make withdrawal symptoms start a little sooner but the benefit is it makes it end a bit sooner too. That is the more important factor. As far as for oxygen levels, the best thing to help this is simply not smoking. These videos touch on this issue: Disorientation that may occur when first quitting smoking and Blood sugar symptoms. The video Why do smokers smoke? touches on the urine acidity issues.
Trina's question above: "What's your opinion on these quit smoking hypnosis videos? " I address this issue at the Freedom from Nicotine board in this string: www.ffn.yuku.com/topic/12107 For some reason I could not reply directly to the question above.
Joel Spitzer thank you so much for your knowledge! I have been smoke free for 2 1/2 years because of you! I could not have made it, if had not found your website, you are doing such a wonderful thing, god bless!
Thank you!!!! I loved your upbeat video. The understanding support of your video and info regarding blood sugar are ace! Will be forwarding this to others ! :-)
This very video lead me to the process of quitting smoking cold turkey nearly 18 months ago. Thanks for you texts and videos, I owe them my life back! Greetings from France
I am very glad that this video has given you the confidence to start a quit bunmonk1903. To help to really cement your determination to want to quit and more fully understand smoking and quitting issues, check out the page whyquit.com/joels-videos/can-you-spare-about-an-hour-and-a-half-to-help-to-save-your-life/ You have already gone through the how to quit section on that page, but the other three sections of why you smoke, why are you should stop and then how to stay off once you have stopped can't be invaluable tool to get this quit off too strong and smart start. Or, check out the page whyquit.com/joels-videos/how-to-best-utilize-my-stop-smoking-resources/ It will discuss other options of ways to utilize my resources to enhance your ability to successfully quit. If you have any specific questions or concerns regarding smoking or quitting issues that I can help with, please feel free to get back in touch anytime. I will help anyway I can. Joel
I am glad that the video captures my deep down beliefs in what messages I am trying to get across to my viewers. The video "Why my resources are free" th-cam.com/video/PcsJk0PrlGg/w-d-xo.html highlights why these issues are important to me.
Joel, your video was what got me to figure out a strategy for quitting - cuz that is what I needed - motivation I did not lack, but a strategy, on how can I do it, what will I do when I go out with friends, etc, that is what I lacked - it's been 5 years since I quit (was a two-pack a day smoker for 13 years), and it seems like I never smoked in the first place. Thank you Joel!
Thank you. I wanted to share with you that I happened across your website one day a few months ago purely by accident, but as I had been an on/off smoker for at least 10 years or more (that always seemed to break down and buy another pack every time I had decided the last one would be the last), I stopped to read long enough to become curious about the vast majority of successful quitters having done it without fanfare and just stopping, My partner of the last 15 years was a smoker when I met him, but stopped out of the blue a few years back and my continuing has been something of a sore spot since we live together. I was frustrated by the fact that I felt like I should quit, and that it seemed so easy for him to have done so, and irritated that he would get irritated with me when I smoked because he used to do it with me, I was not even a HEAVY smoker, but I always seemed to reluctantly be buying another pack when they had gotten more expensive and I didn't really like spending that much even if it was just a single pack every few weeks or so. I also was concerned for my singing voice, which I missed in the upper register due to the habit, and that was the primary motivation to kick it for good since I used to be a real soprano that was now limited in range to my chest voice only. The desire to smoke in the immediacy of a moment was often the greater factor, however, and I would often go for long periods of not smoking only to start again and have to deal with the stuffy sinuses and headaches and grumpiness all over again. The information provided in your site and videos- primarily the tiny tidbit about the withdrawal period being relatively short (as long as you don't try and "taper off gradually) - was instrumental in my effectively quitting. After watching the video talking about how to torture your worst enemy I understood that I only needed to get over that "hump" for a relatively short period of time before it was not so difficult. With that hope on the other side of the uphill climb, and the knowledge that there was an actual summit that could be reached not so far away, it gave a more attainable goal to the entire process that didn't feel so hard to reach. It was that single bit of information, knowing how long the suffering would last, that gave me the strength to endure it, and I have not purchased a pack nor bummed a single puff since sometime before October of last year. I simply decide now, when thinking about the info on your site, NOT to buy a pack or ask to bum a cigarette when the thought occurs that I might want one, It is as easy as choosing now. Previously, I had tried herbal cigarettes as a replacement, nicorette gum (yuck), hard candy, tapering off, and even tried cold turkey before having the info on your site and all to no avail. The most success I had ever had at not smoking cigarettes was when I switched to the e-cig, which only threatened to replace one addiction with another that was nearly as annoying to me, if not to others. Now, as of at least three months ago, I have, quietly and without fanfare or pressure, at last effectively quit smoking. It has been long enough now that I don't even remember exactly when I bought my last pack, or smoked my last cigarette, since the entire effort was not nearly as significant once I understood how possible it was. Thank you very much for putting this out there. Without having come across your site, I don't believe I could actually honestly say "I have quit" instead of "I'm trying to quit", or at least not at this time. You have contributed something to all of humanity by presenting all of this without charge and saved countless, I am sure. Myself included. Cheers!
"since the entire effort was not nearly as significant once I understood how possible it was". That sentence may be the reason I quit smoking, thank you!
I searched I want to quit smoking then I came across a website called whyquit.com where I saw posts of people thanking you for helping them, so I searched you on youtube and I'm really looking forward to watching all of you videos. I've been smoking for 5 years Im still 22 years old thats why I'd like to quit early, My father smokes 2 packs a day with no intention of stopping and I can see the toll it took on his life and i'd like to avoid that hopefully. thank you for making these videos.
Thanks for the feedback. WhyQuit.com is where I have spent most of my time over the past 17 years. We have the videos broken into playlists at WhyQuit.com. Here is the link to the page at the site that hosts all of my resources: whyquit.com/joel/ If you have not quit yet you may want to start with this TH-cam play list: th-cam.com/play/PLCDB8BA311D538113.html If you have already started your quit you may want to start with this playlist: th-cam.com/play/PL0F23FAFB942E402A.html Then there are playlists for each day for the first week. If you don't want to spend that much time you may want to just work with the page whyquit.com/joels-videos/can-you-spare-about-an-hour-and-a-half-to-help-to-save-your-life/ It can give you the core information you need to get started and really, the main information you need to help secure your quit. Then you can just look up topics on the new index to fill in information you may be looking for as situations or thoughts arise. If you have an specific questions or concerns just ask here and I can direct you to information on specific issues. Hope you find all of these materials helpful Joel
I was fortunate enough to stumble across Joels videos during a cold turkey quit attempt in February 2011. I have not smoked ever since - avoiding 18,069 cigs - scary! After smoking 20+ years, I am now totally nicotine free. I rarely even think about smoking, and when I do its usually to think how great it is to be free. Thanks Joel for your unbiassed & honest approach, and for anyone considering quitting - you need education to beat your addiction, not patches & gum to support it! - good luck!
I am so pleased to see Joel Spitzer on TH-cam. I gave up 8 years ago with the support of Joel’s videos. I had been someone who previously tried to quit countless times and failed using all methods available back then. The factual information in these videos is a priceless resource and was enough for me to then be able to deal with my previous failures honestly. I was obsessively watching videos at first which rapidly tailed off naturally as time passed. So, I would like to offer my bit of encouragement to anyone trying to quit.
Hello Jane. Sorry for the delay in getting back to you here. I had a technical problem with TH-cam where I did not see your comment here until last night. Here is a page I set up explaining the issue I was having: whyquit.com/joels-videos/i-am-seeing-comments-again/ Thanks for sharing your experience here. I think you will appreciate these two pages: whyquit.com/joels-videos/showing-others-that-there-is-life-without-smoking/ www.whyquit.com/joels-videos/helping-others-see-that-thoughts-for-cigarettes-do-diminish-over-time/
I stopped smoking for 12 years and went back to it about 6 years ago...I have been trying desperately to quit for the past 6months with no luck. I think you are right about quitting cold turkey...I pray for the strength to do this.I can feel my health failing and maybe quitting will not help everything, but will help some. I don't know why it is so much harder the second time around. I wish you all the best of luck on your fight against this horrible beast.
Mr. Spitzer. I tried quitting last Thanksgiving, but driving a semi I got stressed out for the holidays. Next, this past February I relapsed. Then trying to quit again, by using your wonderful information, has helped. The key has been digging further into your detailed information on how to never take another puff via your website! So, this video reminds me of what I did to "secure" my cigarette habit by "Never Take another Puff." As a result, I got a tattoo abbreviated for "Never Take Another Puff, which is [ NTAP ]. the tattoo is inscribed on my left wrist! I am done for real! the tattoo is my securement! By the way, I am not a fan of tattoos! therefore this is to help assist me when I do feel like smoking this cigarette. Just never take another puff! Thank you for your videos and I plan on watching them for however long it takes. Thank you, Sir!
Thank you!!! I was having a massive craving and these videos have stopped me from relapsing. I'm never touching the nicotine gum again - it's just prolonging the quitting process.
Thanks Joel, I spread the word about you every day. It's quite simple. YOU need to DECIDE to stop, then when you need support you MUST watch all these videos. That said, you need to decide ( in your head ), not difficult, just do it. With Joel's inspiration and the help of Quitometer (keeping me inspired and counting for me) I am now free of the nico demon for 1 year, 33 weeks, 4 days, 19 hours and 30 mins. You can do it too.
Joel- I keep trying and trying but i just can't seem to get ride of the urges and triggers- I have watched all of your videos and sometimes i watch them at least 5 times each- I have gone to your page and viewed all the content- It is helping me alot- What videos do you suggest for quitting now as a pose to waiting for the right time to quit-
Here are pages addressing this specific concern: whyquit.com/joels-videos/i-will-quit-when/ whyquit.com/joels-videos/waiting-to-bottom-out/ whyquit.com/joels-videos/setting-quit-dates/
Thanks Richard and congratulations on seven years now. I am glad that you found the resources helpful and are sharing them with others now. Here are a few pages addressing why I feel that this is so important--especially these days: whyquit.com/joels-videos/showing-others-that-there-is-life-without-smoking/ whyquit.com/joels-videos/where-can-i-get-information-on-how-to-quit-smoking-cold-turkey/ whyquit.com/joels-videos/helping-others-see-that-thoughts-for-cigarettes-do-diminish-over-time/ whyquit.com/joels-videos/helping-others-quit/
Thanks man. I've been smoking for 6 years and was able to quit. These tips help a lot. Cold turkey was tough but still holding strong. I am 24 and I am glad I stopped now. I started smoking when I turned 18. Just walked in the store and bought some just cause I could. Was a stupid decision, but now I've made a smart one.
Joel Spitzer is a blessing from heaven! I have been smoke free for 13 months! If I can quit after two packs a day for 45 years, anyone can!
God Bless Joel
Thank you for inspiring me to rid myself of cigarettes.
All tips :
- Quit cold turkey 1:16
- Dont carry cigarettes 1:38
- Quit one day at a time 2:07
- Develop a positive attitude 2:32
- Be prepared for triggers 3:14
- Drink juice 4:10
- Make a list 5:02
- Weight control measures 5:57
- Be prepared for stress 7:03
- Understand addiction 8:02
- Control your internal debates 9:12
- Save your money 9:55
- Careful of crutches, Deep breathing 10:19
- Go to place you can't smoke 10:48
- Tell people you are quitting 11:18
- Only two good reasons to smoke 11:47
===> NEVER TAKE ANOTHER F**** PUFF !!!
2nd day cold turkey, It's hard but i'm proud that ive managed up to now.
Be proud that you quit smoking
I'm proud to be an ex smoker. It took me over 100 times of quitting before it stuck. Every time I slipped I told myself that I'm gonna be living with a smoking related illness. I went online to see the most graphic pictures of lungs that I could find. I made myself look at those graphic images of smokers lungs while smoking. I started getting shortness of breath and had a few cigarettes left. I quit on impulse with a few left. I told myself that I could have a cigarette if I wanted after 24 hours and I told myself that if I don't quit now it's gonna be harder to get. After 24 hours I craved one really badly and then told myself just get through the next five seconds which I knew I could do. Just kept focusing getting by the next five seconds during those three days. I sucked on regular lollipops with the sugar when I craved one. Then I started rapping out loud to distract myself. Now that I'm through the physical withdrawal period the physiological cravings are still around. I haven't given in. I'll write it out how much I crave.
On the other hand I wasted $200 a month for smoking. It's awesome having extra money an extra $200 per month. I'm gonna go to a different country with all the money saved. I have a best friend who keeps slipping. I fully understand because I've done the same. I tell her just learn what caused you to slip and learn from it.
I saw a video called "Thanks tobacco you killed my mom." Made me want to never take another puff. I'd recommend watching it. My indigestion is not as bad as it used to be since quitting smoking.
I recently had my lungs checked and I'm grateful that no cancer or emphysema was found.
Congratulations on your quit Sista Tang:
I am going to attach a number of resource pages addressing different issues you touched on here in your reply, pretty much in the order you first touched on specific topics. Hope you find them helpful.
Joel
whyquit.com/joels-videos/be-proud-that-you-quit-smoking/
whyquit.com/joels-videos/smokers-dont-have-to-quit-multiple-times-before-they-will-succeed/
whyquit.com/joels-videos/i-know-i-will-quit-again/
whyquit.com/joels-videos/words-that-translate-to-relapse/
whyquit.com/joels-videos/the-use-of-scare-tactics/
whyquit.com/joels-videos/feel-how-smoking-affects-the-lungs/
whyquit.com/joels-videos/setting-quit-dates/ (addresses the quitting on impulse)
whyquit.com/joels-videos/resources-related-to-keeping-cigarettes-or-nicotine-replacement-products-after-quitting/
whyquit.com/joels-videos/one-day-at-a-time/
whyquit.com/joels-videos/i-will-not-smoke-today/
whyquit.com/joels-videos/crutches-to-quit-smoking/
whyquit.com/joels-videos/using-deep-breathing-as-a-safe-and-effective-quitting-aid/
whyquit.com/joels-videos/difference-between-physical-and-psychological-urges/
whyquit.com/joels-videos/craves-and-thoughts-that-occur-over-time/
whyquit.com/joels-videos/money-wasted-on-cigarettes/
whyquit.com/joels-videos/helping-others-quit/
whyquit.com/joels-videos/videos-related-to-the-implications-of-a-puff-once-you-have-quit/ (This page has lots of resources that can help you as well as your friend who keeps RELAPSING.
whyquit.com/joels-videos/is-relapsing-on-nicotine-a-good-learning-experience-2/
whyquit.com/joels-videos/unexpected-benefits-after-quitting/
6 years for me now. And what a life changing 6 years it has been after i stopped. My mother passed away in 2018 from COPD,... My father is currently battling lung cancer going through chemotherapy. It has been totally overwhelming. But not once did i ever feel the urge or even the need to light up a cigarette in these 6 years. I know how they are, how they are manufactured and how they work.
As you said in one of your videos: "You're not going to win by being stronger, you win by being smarter". I came to know my weaknesses, my triggers and also to lock the backdoors.
Seeing your own mother battle through COPD through the years and now your father with lungcancer is quite an experience. And which is an experience that you know could have been avoided if it were not for cigarettes.
For me this chapter in my life is closed and done with. I just wanted to really express my thanks and gratitude to you Joel. Your videos and advice and lectures really really helped me in dire straits when i was stopping.
There is no amount of gratitude i can offer that would suffice what you have done for me, but i wish you really all the best with all my heart and the sincerest Thank You.
Tom Powers 2021.
@Summer Thank you. Cigarettes robbed everything from our lives. It is the worst addiction possible that was manufactured with lies and promises throughout the decades in commercials and magazines and television that gave nothing but took everything. If it managed to do one thing positive.... It is to show the world how easily it is to deceive the human mind.
#NeverAgain
This video should really be the first result when searching on how to quit smoking.
Joel was the biggest help to my cold turkey. I watched just about every single one of his videos in “Joel’s Library” on his website. 10 months without a cigarette and counting.
Joel, I probably listened to 30% of your advices. List, no chance, Cranberry Juice, we do not have here in Brazil. But with the 30% I stopped, cold turkey, a 35 years addiction. Today, 16 months without a cigarret. And very, very, very happy that I don´t even understand how I liked it. Thanks man.
18 days cold turkey I'm so happy and I can smell a cigarette from a mile away.
I had a 25 year addiction to cigarettes that I'm proud to say ended 2 years ago. Fortunately I discovered Joel's videos during the toughest days (the first month) of my cold turkey quit, and I made it. I strongly suggest that people watch his relapse prevention videos, so you'll know in advance what to expect and how to manage the urge to smoke. Go back and visit them from time to time if you're feeling down or having a rough day. Constant reinforcement will keep you strong. Above all, avoid any type of substitution method (nicotine replacement, Chantix, etc.) because all you are doing is replacing one problem with another (or compounding your problem with yet another habit). I tried almost everything before cold turkey, and they all failed within a couple of months. Developing the strength and character to stop feeding the addiction is 90% of the battle, and you're not going to get there with substitutes. You can't imagine how pleasant life is when you have ZERO desire to smoke, and you'll get their by sticking to Joel's personal commitment to NTAP. Stop making excuses and just do it. Freedom awaits you!
You're an amazing man who has done and continues to do such important and needed work esp via your website and all it's great content! I'm now 8 months FREE and have absolutely NO DESIRE TO EVER TAKE ANOTHER PUFF!! I even can drink some beers or something stronger and still have no desire! I LOVE FEELING FREE and while a combination of factors led to my quitting, your website was indeed helpful in my confronting my addiction. Cheers Joel (Y) :)
Hey. I am 29, I have two kids. I have been smoking since I was about 14. So an addiction spanning half my lifetime. Your video has helped me in my most darkest moment. My daughter is 2, I love her to bits, but shes been so lively today with teething and what not, and at 4pm was my 72 hour mark since I stopped cold turkey.
My brain started playing all sort of tricks on me, trying to convince me that smoking was a good idea, me and my daughter had a nap for 20 mins and I dreamt I smoked, the dream was so convincing when I woke up I thought I had smoked and almost actually smoked lol.
Anyway, the point being is, I was at that moment, pure frustration, peeking anxiety, climbing the walls with insanity, and then I remembered your video and watched it through (twice). Your calm/soothing voice managed to stop me tweeking so bad and then reason and talk sense back into myself.
I hope that is the worst over with, and I just wanted to thank you personally. Without this video today I think I would have given up and smoked, and I didn't as I had this to turn to. Thank you so much.
Good luck to anyone else who is kicking this horrible habbit.
Check out the video th-cam.com/video/P_gZx_6hq0I/w-d-xo.html and th-cam.com/video/sHvi6dwLanA/w-d-xo.html
gh
This man is spot on !
I could wish you luck but when it comes down to it, good luck has nothing to do with your ability to succeed and bad luck has nothing to do with your chances of relapse. You need to understand that you can quit and stay off under any kind of good or bad situations. Check out the video "I will quit when." It will help to clarify this issue. Also check out video "Watching others smoke" and "Are there social smokers."
Joel on February 25th 2017 It will be the 3 year anniversary of being a nonsmoker. Thank you for saving my life.
71husqvarna good for u husq!👍
Thank you.
Dear Joel, I just want to say how grateful I am to have stumbled onto your work related to smoking cessation. There is no better material or technology for self help out there than your life work.
I was a 15 cigarettes a day smoker for 10+ years, after failing around 20-30 times trying to quit and investing several hours in reading your material, I finally quit cold turkey around 2 years and 5 months or so ago.. I haven't looked back since and have never taken another puff.. Yes it was hard, and yes it was totally worth it..
Thank you!
More power to you!
Warm regards..
You are very welcome Rakesh. I am glad that you found my resources helpful. If there is ever anything more I can do to help please don't hesitate to get in touch.
Joel
Thanks Joel for your powerful and inspiring videos. I'm smoke free for 15 months now and I would watch your videos daily for the first few weeks. It is such a nice feeling to come back to these videos to be reminded of how I began my journey. I don't think I would have been successful had I not been exposed to your utter conviction and dedication to getting people free from nicotine.
Happy to have been able to help Mark. I am glad that you initially found the videos and watched them daily to get your quit off to a good start, and then continued to stop in every now and then to reinforce your quit. I had set up the pages whyquit.com/joels-videos/videos-related-to-the-implications-of-a-puff-once-you-have-quit/ and whyquit.com/joels-videos/relapse-prevention-resources/ for this purpose, for former smokers to stop by occasionally to keep their resolve reinforced over the long-term. For while it may be nice that I have a conviction to help people quit, in reality the key to success for every former smoker to sustain their quits is for them to have their own conviction to never take another puff.
One thing my sister did is she kept track of every hour since she quit. (Writing it down.) And comparing it to the charts you can find about what is happening to your body at certain points of quitting. Like what is being restored and just how fast it's being restored. All just to remind herself how far she has come and how bad it would be to just give up. Think about what you stand to lose.
+LucidDream Related videos are Limitations with Quitmeters th-cam.com/video/jmPdCyK8_gE/w-d-xo.html and Make a list of why you want to quit th-cam.com/video/ZgZ-PZyIOqs/w-d-xo.html
I have to quit. The back surgeon won't work on me if I smoke. I've been smoking 45 years and am in very significant pain. I have everything to gain and so much to lose. I really like your approach. Tomorrow is my first day. I've made my list. I only put 10 reasons, but they are good ones. Thank you for offering your help.
you are an amazing human being , thanks so much!!!
Videos related to these basic quitting tips:
Cold turkey quitting
Carrying Cigarettes
One day at a time
If you quit smoking with a lousy attitude...
Be proud that you quit smoking
Avoiding situations where you used to smoke
Blood sugar symptoms
Make a list of why you want to quit
Weight control concerns after quitting smoking
Incorporating exercise after quitting
Resources explaining interaction between nicotine and stress
Are you a nicotine junkie?
"I want one!"
Money wasted on cigarettes
Crutches to quit smoking
Smoking triggers
Telling others that you have quit smoking
Good reasons to take puff on a cigarette after having quit smoking
Quitting is more doable than most people think
Never take another puff
I don't even think I'm addicted to it (nicotine) anymore. I think it's just habitual. Things that just trigger a natural response to smoke. I never say, "I'm dying for nicotine" I say, "Coffee... yup, that's my cue to flip my Bic." Doesn't make it any better, but I really believe that anymore. Good videos, in any case. Nice to see someone saying, "You can do it" and not, "Do it, you filthy smoker."
watching this right now. im on my 7th day
Over 2 years smoke free. His videos helped so much 😊. Thank you
I quit over three years ago by watching your videos and going to your site. Thank you Joel!
I have you to thank for quitting smoking 3 years ago. Thank you so much for your work. You are truly a LIFE SAVER.
Congratulations on there years Rachel. I am glad that you found the resources helpful. It there is ever anything more I can do to help please feel free to get back in touch.
Joel
Thank you, Joel! I'm on day 10 after having been a nicotine addict for over 40 years. For the first time in my life, I understand the true nature of smoking. You have been a huge blessing to me. I appreciate you more than words can say.
good video, makes me feel good about 24 hours of no-smoking so far!
Tomorrow i'll just start over the same way i did today instead of thinking 'this is my second day'
Thank you for the good tip!
I just quit smoking watching Joel's videos. 2 weeks not one puff. THANK you joel for helping me change my life.
I am on day FIVE cold turkey. It has been so difficult but I am trying to stay positive and stay focused on NOT smoking, even though my boyfriend isn't ready to quit yet. THANK YOU for this video it really helped me keep things in perspective!
Good job :)
My mom is battling nicotine addiction, can't believe you offer assistance for FREE! Awesome
Check out my video "Why my resources are free" th-cam.com/video/PcsJk0PrlGg/w-d-xo.html
Every time I get the craving to smoke, I just think about the FSC carpet glue they put on the paper, works like a champ every time. I'll never smoke again.
Thanks for all your help, Joel. You are truly dedicated and you make so much difference to the smokers of the world that want and need to quit. I have been free of nocotine for the last 20 days 18 hours; not smoked 540 ciggs; saving £164.77 which is 5g 400mg of tar NOT inhaled!!! The tar always amazes me. Over 5.5gms in 3 weeks!! But I've smoked for over 42yrs.... thats a hell of a lot of tar. I cant do this any more, but its you that has made me think of the whole package not just 1 ciggy xxx
I did that commitment..never take another puff..is already 20 days...It is hard Mr Joel.by the way I did on cold turkey...anyway thanks so much for your advice ...finally I give a present for myself after 40 years of smoking....God Bless you Joel .The world need more people like you!!Happy 2016....Greetings for Brazil....cheers
Thank you, Joel. You were instrumental in my quitting this filthy habit. I am currently 54 years old. I smoked since I was about 12-13. I quit on September 24, 2014, when I was 52 years and 11 months old. So, I have been smoke free for 16 months, and I couldn't be happier. I feel great, breathing better. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
I successfully quit due to Joel Spitzer's videos. It's been five years since I made it through that first day.
It DOES end! There is a point coming where you will never want one again! You will live totally normal, good, and bad days without even thinking about smoking. The only reason I came to see this video is because I saw someone who resembled Joel and am now hit with nostalgia.
You can make it!!!
Today is day 1 for me. I've smoked 33 years, quit several times but I just can't do it anymore. I'm tired of the smell, the guilt, the pain and the waste. Thank you, Joel for your awesome videos. God bless you, sir.
Thanks to you're videos I am now entering my 3rd month without a single puff of a cigarette and I have done so cold turkey thanks to advice you gave on a different video. I still get urges to smoke but they are not very strong and I am 100% certain I can go the rest of my life without ever smoking again.
Joel, I wish to thank you from the bottom of my heart. I haven’t touched a cigarette for 8 years now…I had to look that up as I stopped counting after 2 years. I’m not going to be one of those ex smokers that still feels they could murder a cigarette after ten years. This is down to all your many videos and the FB page and on line support on the web. I used to watch the videos over and over…thankfully you have made so many it always felt fresh…a sort of self directed cognitive therapy using your free resources managed to retrain the way my brain thought about smoking….you now couldn’t pay me enough to put one in my mouth THANK YOU from a grateful limey 👍🤓👍
Thank you Joel. I quit smoking on my 40th birthday. Your video has helped significantly - I've watched it 5 times. I did cold turkey and never looked back. In my car I put the list of why I hate smoking and I would reach for that instead of smoking. My life has forever changed and I am thankful to you for your help. Jennifer
Thanks, Joel-- I quit on July 4, 2007 by going cold turkey and watching your videos, after smoking for 16 years. The first week was rough, but it eased up after that and I recall the 6 month mark and realizing I had no cravings and no longer thought about it at all. Cheers!
Hey just wanted to say i watched this video last friday at 2am, had a smoke and quit cold turkey. its now been 7 days and i have not smoked a puff since. Thank you so much!!
Hey man I want to say thank for this....
It's been 2months since I quit and I don't want or feel like going back
I did go cold turkey and you are right it's not impossible to quit....coming from a 25-30 a day smoker I did it so thank you Joel
all your tips are great and true. another thing that helped me alot is running on a treadmill - it gives you a similar high and headrush as smoking and helps breathing right away!
I'll try to quit smoking cigarettes starting.... now!
Back again for the third time. This last binge has only been 4 months, but the grip it has on me feels like it's been years. I'm only 21 and this last year I've quit twice, once for four months, relapsed, then again for three for months, relapsed, and today I had a moment of clarity that this addiction as of now is only 4 months strong. I feel like I'm fighting this monster and with each blow it gets weaker and weaker.
Cold turkey is the way to go, I feel like it gets easier each time because I'm familiar with how great life can be without smoking.
Even if I fail after some months, the window of freedom is so good that it will be worth it.
Good luck to all!
Jacob, here are a number of resources addressing smokers who have a hard time keeping their quits going:
whyquit.com/joels-videos/i-know-i-will-quit-again/
whyquit.com/joels-videos/smokers-dont-have-to-quit-multiple-times-before-they-will-succeed/
whyquit.com/joels-videos/is-relapse-a-natural-part-of-the-quitting-process/
whyquit.com/joels-videos/videos-related-to-the-implications-of-a-puff-once-you-have-quit/
whyquit.com/joels-videos/relapse-prevention-resources/
thank you for your advice! your arguments are rock solid! i hope more people find you!
Thanks Joel.
I'm a 40 year smoker and I'm ready to conquer this. I will use your videos to guide me through.
Okay, definitely good advice. I quit before watching this, so I can relate. Its really all a mental thing.
!im stopping for today ,wish me luck
+bully VEVO In reality, luck has nothing to do with whether you will succeed or not. Check out this video: Is this an unlucky day to quit smoking? th-cam.com/video/Aas0vMVje18/w-d-xo.html
Check out the videos "Being locked up to quit smoking," "I can't quit because I am addicted" and "Why do smokers smoke."
Thanks Joel
I have flushed my cigarettes and made an honest list of goals to review whenever I get withdrawals. I'll feel good about using my list to reinforce my decision. I anticipate withdrawals will be bad but not as bad as having to go through it again. Thanks for the leads and wish me luck.
Good that you made the list. Related video: th-cam.com/video/ZgZ-PZyIOqs/w-d-xo.html
As far as for anticipating withdrawal to be bad, check out the videos "Every quit is different" th-cam.com/video/fYHkaGt-YhE/w-d-xo.html and What is nicotine withdrawal really like? th-cam.com/video/WbEoMEpmMX4/w-d-xo.html
Allow me to share 2 things that I learned after quitting:
1) You can only quit if you make it your top priority. As long as you cite things that you think are more important than smoking, you won't succeded in quitting;
2) All excuses you have for smoking are a form of delusion, created by you to sustain your addiction. Nicotine actually *increases* stress (faster heartbeat, raised blood pressure). What you perceive as stress is actually nicotine withdrawal.
Sorry for being blunt, and good luck!
Thanks Joel
I wish I watched this vid earlier. I quit smoking 3 months ago. Now watching this vid, I am realizing how I passed all stages you described. My only motivation was the fact that I was thinking of a puff the very first second I woke up and panic if I run out of it. For those who wants to quit : U should find a good reason to quit. Instead of juice I ate fruit and for the weight control have been jogging and eating oatmeal for brkfst. Lost 14 kilos (30pounds) and now can run 5km a day. Happy ))!!
I spent almost three years suffering from chronic anxiety and only by watching this video I realised that it was in fact nicotine withdrawal that was causing it. When you said, "Take just one puff every third day and you can make withdrawal last forever", it clicked. I had been chewing nicotine gum and using a very low nicotine e-cig and taking the odd cigarette now and again (maybe one a week with a beer) and by doing so, I somehow convinced myself that I wasn't addicted to nicotine because I could go a long time without any but I'd always chew at least a piece of gum a day and vape a little in between. It clicked from watching this, that all along I was putting myself in a state of perpetual withdrawal, as the amount of nicotine I was taking in was nowhere near the levels I was when I was smoking cigarettes regularly (15 a day for around a decade) , yet was enough to keep the withdrawal going. I convinced myself that anxiety was just part of my make up. I made the commitment to never take another puff, chew, vape etc and have been anxiety free ever since. I didn't even suffer any withdrawal effects, I think because I was so happy that I was free from my anxiety for the first time in what seemed like forever. From the bottom of my heart, thank you, Joel. You have changed my life. What you do is wonderful and should be prescribed to addicts instead of NRT and whatever other con they push on people to "help" them quit. Amazing work.
Glad you found my materials Krissy and were able to free yourself from the perpetual withdrawal you were stuck in for all of that time. Here are a few pages that touch on different issues you raised here. whyquit.com/joels-videos/quitting-by-gradual-withdrawal/
whyquit.com/joels-videos/prolonging-nicotine-withdrawal/
whyquit.com/joels-videos/how-can-i-be-addicted-i-can-go-hours-without-smoking/
whyquit.com/joels-videos/quitting-smoking-can-make-you-calmer-happier-and-healthier/
Once again, glad that I was able to help.
Joel
You are the best stop smoking go to on TH-cam hands down. And you are doing this all for free. That really is ... idk what to say, heart warming... But without you i and many others probably would have never stopped. I promise i will link ppl to this channel and do everything that i have learned from you to help other ppl stop that wants and asks.
All love to you Joel
Thanks for video. On my 8th day and feeling pretty good at this stage.
Congrats!!! You can do it :)
Bravo! We're cheering for you, from Japan!
this video has been really helpful i last smoked a cigarette a week ago was struggling i subscribed im sure ill need moe of your advice over the coming weeks thank you
I was never a heavy smoker as such 3 a day 10 some times other times I would go weeks with out smoking but my problem was I got addicted to e cigarettes and then the spray ,,I'm off the spray now about 8 days tough but I really want to stop this damn anxiety associated with Nicotine . Well done on your work Joel there are people who are a lot worse than me ...
1:15 - Watch until this point, and you've learned everything you need to take in to quit smoking. He's absolutely right. 20 years on the nail coffins for me, and this was the only way.
Who would dislike this?!
Tobacco companies?!!
Big Pharma
Thanks Joel for this info. I stopped smoking 30 July 2018 (146 days ago). I smoked for 42 years. Everything you said here is true. I went cold turkey (but I did use Wellbutrin to help with craving during withdrawal for 2 wks). I will never buy or smoke another cig. I am so done with Cigs. I win. I am still battling but will win the war.
Congratulations on your five month quit here. Glad to have been able to help. As far as for still struggling, there is a chance that some of what you are experiencing now is holiday trigger issues. Check out the page whyquit.com/joels-videos/holiday-related-resources/ that addresses this issue. If by battling you mean having some kind of ongoing physical symptoms, be careful as to writing them off now to having quit smoking in July. The page whyquit.com/joels-videos/life-goes-on-without-smoking/ addresses this kind of issue. If you have any specific questions or concerns let me know. I am glad to help any way I can.
Joel
I don’t know him but I feel like he talking directly to me great motivator
My mother smokes. She would like to quit, but... you know, excuses. I would like to quit, I was trying to quit multiple times. I am sick of waiting for her to give me money for them, especially like now, when she is at work, and won't be here until 5 hours. And I am penniless right now. I am very addicted. I smoke more than 2 packs a day. But, I want also to tell you that I am angry at my mom. She lives with me, is a smoker, but who undermines my efforts, and every time I fail, she has less and less faith in me. Now, because I smoke a lot, she is always mad when I'm taking her cigarettes.
And once, when I attempted to quit, I was always secretly enraged at her. Especially because she leaves her pack in the kitchen. If she understood English well enough, I would FORCE her to watch your videos with me. But, she doesn't. Isn't my mother supposed to be proud of me because I'm trying my ass off to quit?
I didn't smoke 2 hours... and I came here for help, because I want to quit smoking. If I didn't want that, I would just go to bed, and just think of her coming home with my "precious nicotine gift"......
Here are videos related to issues you have raised:
The importance of quitting for yourself th-cam.com/video/CwYQ6fq9ZCI/w-d-xo.html
"My support group is responsible" th-cam.com/video/TQI3vRBNIkg/w-d-xo.html
Make sure your quit is not contingent on others th-cam.com/video/GOWgCR-D_ZE/w-d-xo.html
"You will never make it, here have a cigarette" th-cam.com/video/3OlJurrxRE0/w-d-xo.html
Money wasted on cigarettes th-cam.com/video/aQTxFbzhFZk/w-d-xo.html
"How can I quit if I live with a smoker?" th-cam.com/video/SfAzBb0l6ZM/w-d-xo.html
Offers for cigarettes th-cam.com/video/zvlAPiZ3lqg/w-d-xo.html
Finding cigarettes th-cam.com/video/brveK9MYgEw/w-d-xo.html
Thank you so much for your quick response with personalized recommendations! :) I'll watch the videos, and check out everything which is in the descriptions, when I finish Day 0 videos from the library.
I send this video to everyone that tells me they want to quit. Seems more are jumping on the "vap' craze, but I rather have the extra money in my pocket, haha. I quit after watching a bunch of these videos. 3 months no puffs. So much easier than I ever thought possible. Really having it explained as an addiction really helped to get through the first 72 hrs. But man I have to say after 1 month I had some heavy cravings maybe worst than the first 72, the triggers almost got me, but once through I haven't had a craving in a few days now, and it is only when around a bunch of smokers.
Related videos: Crave or thoughts for cigarettes that occur over time
Dual use of cigarettes and electronic cigarettes
E-cigs as effective as nicotine patches
First television ads for e-cigarettes with the theme "Reclaim your freedom"
"Miracle" aids for quitting smoking
Nicotine Addiction
Nicotine is nicotine is nicotine
Just Updating my previous posts. 9 months no puff!, and never crave it! even when seeing someone or around someone. I have DDD, or Degen disc disease that made life hell for me. If your have this you know there is nothing you can do accept wait until your old enough for surgery. Then once you have surgery you can expect to need more surgeries until you die. I was in pain all the time, I couldn't run, exercise, even walking could only be for a few hundred feet before I needed a rest. I am 36 years old and I am an old man. I always had to force people to cater their activities around my pain threshold. When I quit smoking 9 months ago, I really had no thoughts that my back pain would get more manageable. I ate too much sugar when I first quite smoking too and put on some weight. 25 lbs which I lost since then and down even more.
My doctors always mentioned, "If you quit smoking and work-out.." but we all know we just put that stuff off or think "if you had this pain you would realize that is unrealistic." I tried to quit before, with patches, e-cigs and nic gum. Never worked and never will work, it is designed to fail. You cannot treat and addiction with that addiction. When I finally realized just need to get rid of nicotine all together, and it wouldn't be as hard as my mind wanted it to be, I was able to quit for good. Now about that back problem.
Once I was out of the obsession period of nicotine, about 36 hrs for me. my back pain started to go away. Not just get better, but completely go away. What I did not know, was that the nicotine affected my bodies ability to heal for all these years. 5 years of pain, and getting this nasty drug out of my body finally, allowed me to have a quality of life I only dreamed of. Knowing that cigerettes kept me from not only feeling healthy but actually kept me in a constant state of pain means I am pretty confident that I will never smoke again (knock on wood) but when I see a cig, I see pain. I can only keep thanking Joel for posting this information for free. I hope that more people stumble on these quick videos and hear something that helps them break free of this nasty addiction. Oh and I am back in the gym doing Juice fasts. Down 50 lbs since my back pain went away.
Your positiveness motivates me. Great job
Thanks Albatraoz. If you have any specific questions or concerns regarding smoking or quitting issues please feel free to get back in touch any time.
Joel
19months and going strong! I drank a lot of water and ate Kiwis during the first week! Thank you sir for this video!
You are welcome bruiserbob.
I do have two pages of resource materials that I suggest all former smokers go through over time, at this point in your quit you could just go through one or two links from each page per month spending as little as 10 or 15 minutes total. Doing it this way you could keep your quit reinforced for years. Check them out:
whyquit.com/joels-videos/relapse-prevention-resources/
whyquit.com/joels-videos/videos-related-to-the-implications-of-a-puff-once-you-have-quit/
Nice and soothing voice. Love it. Smart turkey for rational people out there is much better than cold turkey. Weird thing is , Alan Carr’s book was not as supportive as those 12 minutes you offered. Thank you , God bless you. Greetings from Germany.
Thanks Hristian:
I think it is easier to come off as supportive in a video format than it is in a book format. I have a general standard reply page set up for when I get asked questions about Allen Carr's book. Here is a link to that page: whyquit.com/joels-videos/allen-carr-comparisons/
As far as for "smart turkey" being better than "cold turkey," well smart turkey is really just another form of cold turkey. I never want to say anything that discourages cold turkey quitting, or discourage people who are not using my own or any other person's, group or organization for help. My page whyquit.com/joels-videos/are-people-doomed-to-fail-if-they-dont-get-professional-help-to-quit-smoking/ discusses this concept.
Glad to have been able to help Hristian and if you have any further questions or concerns feel free to get in touch.
Joel
ITS MY FIRST DAY TODAY .... IHAVE BEEN SMOKING FOR MORE THAN 8 YRS BUT NOW IAM REALLY DEDICATED TO QUIT .... I AM 25 YRS OLD I WANT TO SEE MYSELF AS A BETTER PERSON WITH BETTER FUTURE ..... I HAVENT SMOKED ANY CIGGERETTE TODAY AND I FELT REALLY CONFIDENT AND SLIGHTLY BETTER IN MOOD :) THIS VIDEO IS REALLY HELPFUL ...... THANKS A LOT
on my 3rd day...my will power keeps me going. stop smoking folks, never helps in anyway. when using the toilet, after your meal, when you are depressed, when you are cold..blah, blah, blah,....everything about smoking is psychological.
croc adile Check out the video Should I find a quit smoking buddy?
Also related, "My support group is responsible" and The importance of quitting for yourself
pirvustefanedward "you will get very angry very sad and very strange for the 1week or 2 but then things really start to calm down. " Related videos: Every quit is different, Comparing quits with others, Predestined bad days after quitting smoking and The emotional stages of loss
croc adile Baking soda actually has the capability of prolonging nicotine withdrawal. Decades ago there were people in tobacco control who thought it would be good to use because it seemed to help people to smoke a few less cigarettes a day. The way it did this though was by slowing the excretion rate of nicotine. You will notice in a few of my videos I talk about one of the benefits of increasing acidic kind of juices when first quitting, especially cranberry juice. This recommendation is based on the juices ability to acidify the urine, speeding up the excretion rate of nicotine a bit. It is doing the exact opposite thing that baking soda does. It may make withdrawal symptoms start a little sooner but the benefit is it makes it end a bit sooner too. That is the more important factor. As far as for oxygen levels, the best thing to help this is simply not smoking. These videos touch on this issue: Disorientation that may occur when first quitting smoking and Blood sugar symptoms. The video Why do smokers smoke? touches on the urine acidity issues.
Trina's question above: "What's your opinion on these quit smoking hypnosis videos? "
I address this issue at the Freedom from Nicotine board in this string: www.ffn.yuku.com/topic/12107
For some reason I could not reply directly to the question above.
Joel Spitzer thank you so much for your knowledge! I have been smoke free for 2 1/2 years because of you! I could not have made it, if had not found your website, you are doing such a wonderful thing, god bless!
I do 10 push-ups daily to keep fit. Started smoking and couldn't do 1 push-up and nearly drowned at my swimming baths
Thank you!!!! I loved your upbeat video. The understanding support of your video and info regarding blood sugar are ace! Will be forwarding this to others ! :-)
Once again Joel, thank you. Legend.
Thank you so much for your book, joel.
You are welcome Alter. Glad you found the book helpful.
This very video lead me to the process of quitting smoking cold turkey nearly 18 months ago. Thanks for you texts and videos, I owe them my life back! Greetings from France
Baffles me why people would dislike this. Free advice on saving your life. Plus, he isn't trying to sell you his quit smoking today e-book.
You helped me quit 5 years ago! Not one cigarette since.
“Hey, this was your smoking money! There was nothing you gonna do as wasteful as when you were smoking it!" .... made my day lol :D
Thank you ❤❤ I honestly feel brave enough to quit after watching this
I am very glad that this video has given you the confidence to start a quit bunmonk1903. To help to really cement your determination to want to quit and more fully understand smoking and quitting issues, check out the page whyquit.com/joels-videos/can-you-spare-about-an-hour-and-a-half-to-help-to-save-your-life/
You have already gone through the how to quit section on that page, but the other three sections of why you smoke, why are you should stop and then how to stay off once you have stopped can't be invaluable tool to get this quit off too strong and smart start.
Or, check out the page whyquit.com/joels-videos/how-to-best-utilize-my-stop-smoking-resources/ It will discuss other options of ways to utilize my resources to enhance your ability to successfully quit.
If you have any specific questions or concerns regarding smoking or quitting issues that I can help with, please feel free to get back in touch anytime. I will help anyway I can.
Joel
Great video! It just oozes honesty and well-meaning, and that makes the message all the more convincing. Thank you very much!
I am glad that the video captures my deep down beliefs in what messages I am trying to get across to my viewers. The video "Why my resources are free" th-cam.com/video/PcsJk0PrlGg/w-d-xo.html highlights why these issues are important to me.
Joel, your video was what got me to figure out a strategy for quitting - cuz that is what I needed - motivation I did not lack, but a strategy, on how can I do it, what will I do when I go out with friends, etc, that is what I lacked - it's been 5 years since I quit (was a two-pack a day smoker for 13 years), and it seems like I never smoked in the first place. Thank you Joel!
Joel you are awesome. Just subscribed and quitting NOW!
Ty Joel for sharing all of your knowledge!
You are welcome fullcirlce.
Thank you. I wanted to share with you that I happened across your website one day a few months ago purely by accident, but as I had been an on/off smoker for at least 10 years or more (that always seemed to break down and buy another pack every time I had decided the last one would be the last), I stopped to read long enough to become curious about the vast majority of successful quitters having done it without fanfare and just stopping, My partner of the last 15 years was a smoker when I met him, but stopped out of the blue a few years back and my continuing has been something of a sore spot since we live together. I was frustrated by the fact that I felt like I should quit, and that it seemed so easy for him to have done so, and irritated that he would get irritated with me when I smoked because he used to do it with me,
I was not even a HEAVY smoker, but I always seemed to reluctantly be buying another pack when they had gotten more expensive and I didn't really like spending that much even if it was just a single pack every few weeks or so. I also was concerned for my singing voice, which I missed in the upper register due to the habit, and that was the primary motivation to kick it for good since I used to be a real soprano that was now limited in range to my chest voice only. The desire to smoke in the immediacy of a moment was often the greater factor, however, and I would often go for long periods of not smoking only to start again and have to deal with the stuffy sinuses and headaches and grumpiness all over again.
The information provided in your site and videos- primarily the tiny tidbit about the withdrawal period being relatively short (as long as you don't try and "taper off gradually) - was instrumental in my effectively quitting. After watching the video talking about how to torture your worst enemy I understood that I only needed to get over that "hump" for a relatively short period of time before it was not so difficult. With that hope on the other side of the uphill climb, and the knowledge that there was an actual summit that could be reached not so far away, it gave a more attainable goal to the entire process that didn't feel so hard to reach. It was that single bit of information, knowing how long the suffering would last, that gave me the strength to endure it, and I have not purchased a pack nor bummed a single puff since sometime before October of last year. I simply decide now, when thinking about the info on your site, NOT to buy a pack or ask to bum a cigarette when the thought occurs that I might want one, It is as easy as choosing now.
Previously, I had tried herbal cigarettes as a replacement, nicorette gum (yuck), hard candy, tapering off, and even tried cold turkey before having the info on your site and all to no avail. The most success I had ever had at not smoking cigarettes was when I switched to the e-cig, which only threatened to replace one addiction with another that was nearly as annoying to me, if not to others. Now, as of at least three months ago, I have, quietly and without fanfare or pressure, at last effectively quit smoking. It has been long enough now that I don't even remember exactly when I bought my last pack, or smoked my last cigarette, since the entire effort was not nearly as significant once I understood how possible it was.
Thank you very much for putting this out there. Without having come across your site, I don't believe I could actually honestly say "I have quit" instead of "I'm trying to quit", or at least not at this time. You have contributed something to all of humanity by presenting all of this without charge and saved countless, I am sure. Myself included.
Cheers!
"since the entire effort was not nearly as significant once I understood how possible it was". That sentence may be the reason I quit smoking, thank you!
This guy is a true hero, I've never had more respect to anyone in my entire life, I've just found out about him today but this guy is amazing.
Thanks for your kind comments Hossam. If I may ask, how did you find out about me or come across this TH-cam page?
I searched I want to quit smoking then I came across a website called whyquit.com where I saw posts of people thanking you for helping them, so I searched you on youtube and I'm really looking forward to watching all of you videos. I've been smoking for 5 years Im still 22 years old thats why I'd like to quit early, My father smokes 2 packs a day with no intention of stopping and I can see the toll it took on his life and i'd like to avoid that hopefully.
thank you for making these videos.
Thanks for the feedback. WhyQuit.com is where I have spent most of my time over the past 17 years. We have the videos broken into playlists at WhyQuit.com. Here is the link to the page at the site that hosts all of my resources: whyquit.com/joel/
If you have not quit yet you may want to start with this TH-cam play list: th-cam.com/play/PLCDB8BA311D538113.html
If you have already started your quit you may want to start with this playlist: th-cam.com/play/PL0F23FAFB942E402A.html
Then there are playlists for each day for the first week.
If you don't want to spend that much time you may want to just work with the page whyquit.com/joels-videos/can-you-spare-about-an-hour-and-a-half-to-help-to-save-your-life/
It can give you the core information you need to get started and really, the main information you need to help secure your quit. Then you can just look up topics on the new index to fill in information you may be looking for as situations or thoughts arise. If you have an specific questions or concerns just ask here and I can direct you to information on specific issues.
Hope you find all of these materials helpful
Joel
I was fortunate enough to stumble across Joels videos during a cold turkey quit attempt in February 2011. I have not smoked ever since - avoiding 18,069 cigs - scary!
After smoking 20+ years, I am now totally nicotine free. I rarely even think about smoking, and when I do its usually to think how great it is to be free.
Thanks Joel for your unbiassed & honest approach, and for anyone considering quitting - you need education to beat your addiction, not patches & gum to support it! - good luck!
I am so pleased to see Joel Spitzer on TH-cam. I gave up 8 years ago with the support of Joel’s videos. I had been someone who previously tried to quit countless times and failed using all methods available back then. The factual information in these videos is a priceless resource and was enough for me to then be able to deal with my previous failures honestly. I was obsessively watching videos at first which rapidly tailed off naturally as time passed. So, I would like to offer my bit of encouragement to anyone trying to quit.
Hello Jane. Sorry for the delay in getting back to you here. I had a technical problem with TH-cam where I did not see your comment here until last night. Here is a page I set up explaining the issue I was having: whyquit.com/joels-videos/i-am-seeing-comments-again/
Thanks for sharing your experience here. I think you will appreciate these two pages:
whyquit.com/joels-videos/showing-others-that-there-is-life-without-smoking/
www.whyquit.com/joels-videos/helping-others-see-that-thoughts-for-cigarettes-do-diminish-over-time/
You are helping a lot of people :) and you look so calm while you smile and speak. That itself makes people feel calmer, I think.
I stopped smoking for 12 years and went back to it about 6 years ago...I have been trying desperately to quit for the past 6months with no luck. I think you are right about quitting cold turkey...I pray for the strength to do this.I can feel my health failing and maybe quitting will not help everything, but will help some. I don't know why it is so much harder the second time around. I wish you all the best of luck on your fight against this horrible beast.
Does it help to drink a lot of fluids when you quit ? as far as withdrawal systems irritability? thank you
kevdawg55 Thanks it has been nine days now ..............your right sipping water really helps
***** awesome! congrats.
Mr. Spitzer. I tried quitting last Thanksgiving, but driving a semi I got stressed out for the holidays. Next, this past February I relapsed. Then trying to quit again, by using your wonderful information, has helped. The key has been digging further into your detailed information on how to never take another puff via your website! So, this video reminds me of what I did to "secure" my cigarette habit by "Never Take another Puff." As a result, I got a tattoo abbreviated for "Never Take Another Puff, which is [ NTAP ]. the tattoo is inscribed on my left wrist! I am done for real! the tattoo is my securement! By the way, I am not a fan of tattoos! therefore this is to help assist me when I do feel like smoking this cigarette. Just never take another puff! Thank you for your videos and I plan on watching them for however long it takes. Thank you, Sir!
Thank you!!! I was having a massive craving and these videos have stopped me from relapsing. I'm never touching the nicotine gum again - it's just prolonging the quitting process.
The video Prolonging nicotine withdrawal th-cam.com/video/OHx12A8-mFg/w-d-xo.html directly addresses this issue.
Thanks Joel, I spread the word about you every day. It's quite simple. YOU need to DECIDE to stop, then when you need support you MUST watch all these videos. That said, you need to decide ( in your head ), not difficult, just do it. With Joel's inspiration and the help of Quitometer (keeping me inspired and counting for me) I am now free of the nico demon for 1 year, 33 weeks, 4 days, 19 hours and 30 mins. You can do it too.
Joel- I keep trying and trying but i just can't seem to get ride of the urges and triggers- I have watched all of your videos and sometimes i watch them at least 5 times each- I have gone to your page and viewed all the content- It is helping me alot- What videos do you suggest for quitting now as a pose to waiting for the right time to quit-
Here are pages addressing this specific concern:
whyquit.com/joels-videos/i-will-quit-when/
whyquit.com/joels-videos/waiting-to-bottom-out/
whyquit.com/joels-videos/setting-quit-dates/
You are a saint, Joel. I quit 7 years ago with the help of your videos and now I’m sharing your videos with others. Thank You.
Thanks Richard and congratulations on seven years now. I am glad that you found the resources helpful and are sharing them with others now. Here are a few pages addressing why I feel that this is so important--especially these days:
whyquit.com/joels-videos/showing-others-that-there-is-life-without-smoking/
whyquit.com/joels-videos/where-can-i-get-information-on-how-to-quit-smoking-cold-turkey/
whyquit.com/joels-videos/helping-others-see-that-thoughts-for-cigarettes-do-diminish-over-time/
whyquit.com/joels-videos/helping-others-quit/
Thanks man. I've been smoking for 6 years and was able to quit. These tips help a lot.
Cold turkey was tough but still holding strong. I am 24 and I am glad I stopped now. I started smoking when I turned 18. Just walked in the store and bought some just cause I could. Was a stupid decision, but now I've made a smart one.
2days strong. I usually make fun of people on the comment section but you make a lot of sense. As much as I hate to say it. thank you, ya jerk