I'll be the first to say that this website could use a redesign. It's not easy to view where and how you're supposed to get help and encouragement. I came here a few months ago looking for support, I even wrote someone on here and all I got was "We all hang out [somewhere else on the site I can't remember]". I didn't and I'm a computer tech and web designer as a profession.
After not receiving the support I was wanting, I had some issues that life throws at us all and started smoking again. I quit again recently, this time with the help of medication (Chantix), and put my story out on my Facebook page for everyone to read and keep up with my progress. I'm really rocking it this time and holding myself accountable on Facebook with family and friends reading and cheering me on. It's what I had hoped would happen on this website, but didn't so I wanted to make sure that anyone who needed support and found my blog here should contact me.
As of this writing (Dec. 10, 2013), I'm 19 days without touching any form of nicotine. I feel much better, I don't have those crazy urges anymore. I'm even drinking my coffee this morning and not feeling any desire for a smoke with it. I don't think about it while driving, after I eat, or even when I'm really overwhelmed with stress. I live with my wife who still smokes and it doesn't bother me at all, except the foul smell that comes off of her now after smoking. I have adult ADHD and I'm prescribed Adderall which made me smoke twice as much when I started it, yet no desire for nicotine at all anymore.
For me, Chantix was the way to go, but it isn't for everyone. I had quit for 4 years before and I went cold turkey that time, but I didn't live with a smoker at that time and I wasn't on Adderall either. These extra factors really make a difference when quitting and Chantix became the easiest way for myself to quit this time around.
Just know this (and you may already know this), but the single most important factor in quitting is simple yet the hardest to do. It's your mindset. You really need to want to quit. Quitting for someone else never worked for me. Quitting for myself was the only thing that worked. Just know it can be a mindset similar to prepping to fast for 3 days straight, only the hunger is a craving for a cig instead of food. Even after the hard first 3 days are over, there will be times when your body will throw in the occasional "Just one won't hurt" message and you'll want to believe it. This is the quickest way to fail so don't succumb. As soon as you give your brain the "it's okay to have one" signal, it may try to put out more and more of those signals until you're buying that next pack.
Things that help me stay on track are thinking about what my lungs look like, knowing that buying that pack is paying crooked tobacco company executives to kill me while they get rich, and knowing my mother died of cancer and she didn't even smoke. The right mindset will also help your brain start producing dopamine on its on again much quicker. Dopamine is the chemical that our brain release to the body to calm us down and relieve stress. Nicotine causes us our brains to release that chemical. When we're addicted, the brain no longer release the chemical on its own. It waits on your next cig to do it instead. This is why its so stressful to not smoke when addicted. It only takes two-three days to get your brain used to producing the dopamine again, but it sure is difficult to make it through those days. Even with Chantix, I had difficult times in the beginning.
If you're looking for advice on how to begin your new life, this is how I did it (twice now). First, decide with emotion that you really want to quit. I believe emotion is important as it affects are subconscience to truly act. Next, pick a day to quit. I usually suggest 2-4 weeks in the future for your date to quit. This gives your brain less panic that you're quitting and most importantly it gives you time to build the mental strength to know you're going to succeed. During this time think about quitting everytime you remember and feel yourself as a non-smoker, healthier, with more money. Picture your friends, family, and co-workers all congradulating you (as they really will!) everyday. Feel the happiness and power of being that free. It truly is wonderful not being a slave to the tobacco company.
Next, make sure you don't buy too many packs near the quit date so you won't have any extras around. The day I quit, I had a couple of cigs left. Yes, I smoked them on my quit date. Why? Because I knew they were there and I wanted them gone, plus I was still addicted. I didn't feel guilty, I just prepared myself for that to happen and went with it. You can do what you want with this.
Just know, I've been through it just like you are attempting to and I know it may be the hardest thing you ever do, but you'll love yourself for it.
Please feel free to contact me for support if needed
Ed
