Many ex-smokers have successfully quit the habit cold turkey. Most, however, will tell you that they did so with little preparation. Often going cold turkey is unplanned and spontaneous. It just happens. Usually the smoker goes cold turkey in response to a major event such as the loss of a close friend or a loved one to lung cancer. The smoker simply stops, the event so vivid in their mind that every time the urge to smoke occurs the urge is zapped.
To succeed at going cold turkey, the smoker either needs to be able to stay focused on the event or to have a constant reminder. For instance, a pregnant mom might want to tape the ultrasound picture on her refrigerator as a reminder of the life growing inside of her. Or the father of an asthmatic son might be reminded that he needs to make his home smoke free every time he sees his asthmatic son wheezing and reaching for his inhaler.
Going cold turkey without a plan does not mean that you can’t still develop a plan. In fact, it’s always helpful if you develop some definite goals and enlist the help of family and friends to help you achieve them. Whether you’re going cold turkey or have designed a plan to quit, you’re likely to run across feelings of irritability, being tired, and cravings. Here are some tips to help you survive:
- Understand that being irritable, tired, or out of sorts is to be expected.
- Make sure you drink lots of water throughout the day.
- Do something physical, such as going for a swim or taking a walk, to keep your mind active and off your cravings.
- Surround yourself with support – people who can help you to resist the temptation to smoke.
