Today, October 6, 2020 celebrates my tenth month of being fully clean of cigarettes. Not even one puff during this time period.... (although as most of you know I've had my share of close relapses.) After all, the road to freedom is fraught with many twists and turns.
And, as I celebrate this milestone, I ask you Ex'ers to celebrate with me as your ongoing support and encouragement has played a major part in my success 
: Kool & The Gang - Celebration (Official Music Video) - YouTube
As I recognize this accomplishment, I am also aware that I have one last breakthrough to achieve: coming to the point where I no longer use Nicotine gum as a backup when I crave a cigarette. Now, I must clarify that these are NOT physical cravings, but center around emotional responses to life's circumstances. This emotional piece is what formed the basis of my addiction to nicotine in the first place. And it is that same nicotine which still has a hold on me.
As the Mayo Clinic tells us, "In the brain, nicotine increases the release of brain chemicals called neurotransmitters, which help regulate mood and behavior.... Dopamine, one of these neurotransmitters, is released in the reward center of the brain and causes feelings of pleasure and improved mood." Nicotine Dependence: Symptoms and Causes
In spite of being totally free of cigarettes, I apparently have not fully overcome my dependence on nicotine to "soften" my moods of anger and stress and to improve my mood and concentration. Smoking and Mental Health
The thing that really irks me about this is that over these past ten months, I have been able to discontinue my use of nicotine patches, nicotine losenges and nicotine mints. And, my goal was to have discontinued the use of nicotine gum by October 31, 2020.
But, here it is -- my 10 month smoke-free anniversary of November 6, 2020 -- and I am still using nicotine gum as a back-up to calm my emotions. I have cut the 2mg nicotine gum tablets into quarters, with the intent of using no more than two quarter pieces per day, with the plan to reduce that and finally be free of it.
But, as with cigarettes, I have found that cutting back on the gum as the spirit moves, does not work for me. I have proved to myself that a loose, willy-nilly plan is not the answer for this gal.
I sense that many of you would say to just do it! Go cold turkey on that gum! Get it out of your life, and do it now!!
And I would respect that input.
And yet, I know myself well. Cold turkey and I do not go well together.
What I need at this point is a specific plan, step-wise and in writing. With specific goals, interventions and a stop date, just as I did when I first began this quit of smoking cigarettes on January 6, 2020.
To that end, I will now go back to the drawing board; read all that I can on discontinuing nicotine gum and pick a day to launch this last bit of work to totally rid my body of all nicotine.
If there's any lesson here, I believe it's this: When quitting cigarettes by the use of nrt's, there comes that day of reckoning when one has to face up to the fact that in order to forge a successful quit, all nrt's just have to go.
And this is that day for me.
As I tackle this final phase of my quit, I thank you for your continued support and encouragement.
