In 1981, I was a junior at Graham High School in Northwest, Texas. And I succumbed to the temptation to start smoking cigarettes.
Smoking was different back then: our high school had a "smoker's patio" where we could indulge in our vice during lunch or other breaks. You didn't even have to have an ID to purchase cigs. Smokers were not considered "criminals".
My parents were not thrilled with the fact, but what could they say: They smoked. Mother had quit a year earlier and was disappointed in me.
Back then, I was paying .65 a pack and a pack of 20 would last me 3 or 4 days. I kept telling myself I wasn't going to get hooked on it. I'd quit. Eventually. Yeah!
By the time I was 21, I was up to a pack a day. I kept telling myself that when cigarettes went over $1.00 a pack, I'd quit.... then it was $2.00 --- $3.00 --- $4.00
I am now 45 years old and smoke at LEAST 2 packs a day. I'm hooked. Yesterday, I went to Speedy Stop and paid $6.50 plus tax for ONE pack of cigs.
ENOUGH! I sat down and really thought about this. Yes, I did the math and figure I'm spending $400.00 per month on cigarettes. That's $4,800.00 a year that is going NO WHERE. It's time to stop!
When my mother stopped, she just woke up one morning and decided: "I don't like cigarettes and I don't want to smoke anymore." And she never lit up again. I envy her will power.
I know I can do it. I also know it's going to be hard. And honestly, I'm scared. What if I can't do it? What if I gain 50 lbs and become even more hideous than I already am? What am I going to do with my hands and my mouth while I'm driving, watching TV, typing on the computer? What if I get irritable and become the bi*ch from HeLL(0)?
I do have a strategy and am prepared: Sunday night, when I go to bed, I'll put on a nicotine patch. Upon waking Monday morning, I'll not light up, but brush my teeth and maybe chew on a piece of celery or a carrot stick. During the day, I'm planning no keeping occupied keeping a good supply of gum handy.
I know all the data -- it takes 7 days to get through the nicotine withdrawals. -- every day I am smoke free, my lung capacity increases ever so slightly. -- every month I am smoke free, I add more time to my life expectancy. -- I will feel better -- I will smell better -- I won't feel trapped.... -- I will save nearly $5000 every year just on the addiction -- and probably 20 times that much in long term medical care.
I'd like anyone who has kicked the habit recently to reply to this blog with any advice. What worked for you? What did you do to combat the cravings and jitters?
If you want to reply with your criticisms and anti-smoking prejudices, skip it! I've heard them all and have been criticized and judged by people I actually cared about and they couldn't get me to quit.
3 days til quitting!!!!
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Funny guy Bighorn! Hook me up with your Indian connections, I'm running low.
April 5, 2009 at 8:46 p.m.VBB-Wellbutrin made you angry?lol. When are you going to quit taking them?
Sorry, it was too easy.
I'll have to leave Chantix out of the mix.....can't afford technicolor anymore.....
April 4, 2009 at 7:52 a.m.That's odd. I made a comment this morning but it's gone.
What I said was I couldn't have quit without Chantix. I know. I tried off and on for thirty years.
While taking Chantix, I had vivid dreams. very interesting. But I didn't experience bad mood swings.
Anyone quitting will be depressed. Chantix is no different than quitting without aids. After all, we've lived our lives around smoking for years.
Good Luck!
April 3, 2009 at 6:11 p.m.I know people who have had borderline mental breakdowns with Chantix. Like any drug, it only helps if you are 100% committed. My husband tried it a few years ago, said he could no longer feel the effects of the cigs he was smoking, as it blocks the nicotine receptors, but still had the mental need to smoke. He gave up when he started having the dreams & anxiety tinges. He now chews nicorette gum like it's going out of style & he no longer smokes. They have it on sale at Target for $20 for the 100 piece generic.
April 3, 2009 at 2:52 p.m.I tried the patch, had to jump start it in the morning & I was awake all night. I don't think I smoked enough for even the lowest strength. I also tried the Wellbutrin, it made me very angry & did nothing for the smoking. But at least I found out I wasn't suffering from depression.
wished I'd had the dreams, my friend who was on it said they were like technicolor....
April 3, 2009 at 9 a.m.I tried the chantix and had very vivid dreams, I can tell you them even today! I may try the patch but will see.
Good luck and I'll get back to you on suppoert group. Gonna have CT scan done soon...... really stressed while waiting
April 3, 2009 at 8:34 a.m.My own story is I started out of high school when I joined the military. Everyone was doing it and it was fun to smoke at the clubs and bars. When I got out I finally quit for a year, then got sent to Iraq. The stress and fear alone plus the endless nights sleeping on the truck got the boredom going to smoke. I would love for you to have an online blog to help us all out and kick the habit for good!
April 3, 2009 at 8:22 a.m.Lol...Loved your story of how you started! My crappy habit started when I was in college. I was a snuff dipper, and smoking was so much more acceptable socially indoors, that I switched to smoking....even had ashtrays in the class room for professors and students...
Both the wife and I need to quit. She used one of the drugs about 10 years ago to quit and we're thinking about giving Chantix and patches a try. Maybe next year....
Indian reservations are getting to know my credit card a bit too well....
Best of luck with your plans....keep us abeast of progress and inspire us to your greatness!
April 3, 2009 at 5:35 a.m.I'm overwhelmed by the responses and all of the encouragement from you guys!
Rebecca, yeah with baby #1, morning sickness was a big issue... I slowed down a bunch... but, I was a bad mommy.... with the other 3, I smoked thru the whole pregnancies... out of all my kids, only baby #2 (who turns 21 tomorrow) had any health issues.
Itsallfunny and Tripletmom, I'd love to have us do a "group quit"... we can encourage each other!!!
Goliadchica, a friend of mine had wonderful results with Chantix. If the patch doesn't work, I'll have the doctor prescribe some to me.
My insurance company recommended an online support website called Quitnet.com. From what I have seen, they have some great forums.
VBB, my dad had a similar experience many years ago when he tried to quit! He decided to go cold turkey the day before a business trip. He and an associate were scheduled to drive from Kingsville, TX to Jackson, Mississippi... the associate was a religious man and a non-smoker. Initially he was encouraging my dad.... unfortunately, by the time they got to Austin, the business associate had pulled in to a 7-11 and bought a carton of cigs for my dad.
I think I will do a regular blog on my progress and share with all what's working, what's helping and what I'm experiencing so that maybe I can help someone else!!!
Thanks for the encouragement!
April 2, 2009 at 7:51 p.m.Wow Darlins, I envy you! I tried to quit many years ago & my friends & family actually went & bought me cigs cause I was wanted to kill the world & they couldn't deal with me. Of course that was another time & another place in my life than where I am now, but my behavior scared even me. I have lost the enjoyment I used to get out of smoking & now I do it out of habit. I bought a carton before the new tax went into effect, so maybe the price will throw me over the edge & I'll finally do it. I am looking forward though, to telling the whiners & bitchers to suck it when they make their anti-smoking comments..."I smoke to insure your kids, if you don't like it, pay for your own damn kids insurance." I can't wait to be able to use that line! : )
Keep us posted on your progress, I am anxious to see how it goes as I have been smoking a few years shy of you.
Congratulations to you & everyone else here who quit, it is the biggest commitment you can make in your life.
April 2, 2009 at 4:45 p.m.oh yeah, dum dums and sugarless candies are helpful.
April 2, 2009 at 4:40 p.m.My husband and I quit at the same time using the prescription Chantix and it worked like a charm. You quit craving the nicotine and it gives you times to work on the habitual behavior part of the smoking. Worked like a charm for us, some people have way vivid dreams at night, some have trouble with their stomach and tolerating the medicine. I actually lost my usual cravings for sweet things. It is important to use the online support as it helps you break the habit and know what to expect and when.
Good luck - we've saved about $1000 by not smoking for 3 months already.
April 2, 2009 at 4:19 p.m.lol @ the carrots.
April 2, 2009 at 3:55 p.m.I want to quit also, but as you said I'm in fear of gaining the extra weight. I will have to wait until I get through waiting on test results... very stressed right now.... not a good time for me to quit. I do buy my smokes on line and save , rather than buying in local stores. Good luck Darlin!
I heard that your skin will tint orange color if you eat to many carrots......
April 2, 2009 at 3:20 p.m.Darlin, I was planning to quit as well. I bummed two cigs last night cause I couldn't last the whole day. I'll try it with you. I have a long drive this weekend which is the big test. haha I refuse to spend almost 7 bucks on a bad habit anymore! Celery and carrots sound like a good idea. I will have to grab some of those. Also, I also noticed the tooth brushing and chewing gum helped a lot. My dad sucked on cinnamon sticks to help his cravings.
April 2, 2009 at 2:27 p.m.I quite smoking back in Nov. It will be hard the first few weeks, just stick to it and keep thinking about the $5000 that you are saving to spend on better things. Find something that motivates you and you will be fine!!
April 2, 2009 at 2:09 p.m.Good luck! I smoked a pack a day until I got preggers with baby #1. Thank God for morning sickness. I began to associate the scent of cigarette smoke with morning sickness and it triggers my gag reflexes to this day. Thank you, Pavlov.
April 2, 2009 at 2:06 p.m.