I remember my first day and my next first day and the next. I never could get used to the idea of simply not smoking. I've done it for most of all my adult life. I was never without a cigarette in hand. I distinctly recall sitting down one morning and thinking through how I'm going to quit. I was one of those that always had the saying, Well, some day I'll quit when I want to. That saying is telling to me because it implies that I was only seeing this as a habit.
There is so many facets to smoking and different theories. Some see it as simply a habit. Others see it as an addiction. Still others think of it as a dependence. No matter what spin or word you place on it, it is one of the most hardest thing to do. There are some people that are recreational users. They only smoke on holidays, social events, when drinking. We are the ones that can't stop at one as an alcoholic can't stop at one drink, a drug user at one pill or shot or snort. Is it something genetic in our makeup or are we just wired to be pleasure junkies or have addictive personality traits?
If you have researched and scanned the internet for answers, I'm sure you've found many sites with the promise of one cure fits all. This pill will take away all thoughts of smoking. You are guaranteed to never smoke again. I remember back in the day and it still remains true today of the theory of hypnotism, electroshock, acupuncture, the list goes on. Some swear by them. Others are still scrambling to make this as easy as possible, only because they still see this as a habit. They are under the impression that once a week, two weeks, 130 days are over, poof, they are magically cured.
Well, that cure does not exist. What we used smoking for is what keeps us returning time and time again and it's very individualized. We all used smoking for a replacement of certain things. Some use it as a stress relief, ego boost, energy shot, etc., while others use it for an entirely different reason. But the thing to remember is that we used it for a reason. Yes, we are physically addicted to nicotine in the first week or so and we are going through withdrawals then. But are we under the misconception that we become vampires scrounging feverishly for the next meal once we smoke one cigarette?
We spark our brain cells every time we light up. Nicotine receptors are ignited and release dopamine, the Dr. Feelgood in our brains. It's a chemical process going on. Think of an engine being started and the spark it needs to get running. We were doing that to our brain sometimes as much as 50 to 60 times a day and maybe more in some cases. I hated that tired, dazed, hazy feeling those first few months. But I knew it was my brain healing itself. I no longer had that tense, pent up feeling any longer, but my inner self was telling me that's all I needed to feel what I thought was normal. I resisted. I understood what was going on. I let it ride its course.
I believe quitting smoking is a lifestyle change, one that you have to commit to. You need to plan ahead and make the necessary changes in order for it to be successful. You can't say you quit, but yet carry around a pack of cigarettes just in case. You still go to social settings and go along with your smoking friends outside because you still feel the need to belong. You still have ashtrays and lighters laying around because you may need them just in case someone stops by. Isn't that setting yourself up for failure in the early stages?
No one on this site can give you a precise timeline of exactly when things are going to happen. You can hold on to that thought of smoking or you can let it go and trust that it's going to get easier, lighter. Arm yourself with all the knowledge you can get. Go through all the groups on here and read the blogs. There's well over 200 of them ranging from nicotine patch users, Chantix, Wellbutrin, cold turkey, quit support, newbie quitters, etc. Know what you're getting into before you dive into it. Have a plan of action. Understand why and when you smoke and what you can do about it. Use the search feature for advice, 100 things to do besides smoking, triggers, seek them out. Be proactive in your quit.
