Hi All,
I'm new here. My nicotine use started with chewing tobacco about 12 years ago. A coworker introduced me to it, and I was curious and ignorant. I got hooked, and moved on to dip, which I used for about 6 years. I later switched to cigarettes, and have been hooked for the rest of the time on cigarettes. I have tried to quit on nicotine lozenges, imitation dip, nicotine gum, and I have read just about every quit-smoking book that Amazon has to offer.
I think I understand it at this point, but I have had problems with constipation over the course of my life, and I use nicotine and a ton of caffeine to keep myself regular. That is the main thought in my head when I smoke my first cigarette in the morning, and it is a conscious thought, added to all of the subconscious motivations. My subconscious has also tied that burn in my throat that I get from a cigarette to stress relief and that happy dopamine rush. Sometimes when I go outside to smoke and I light up, I only need that first puff or two and that burn in my throat to feel satisfied, but I smoke a half a cigarette or so anyway.
I've changed my diet, and I have access to many different forms of exercise, so I think I am about ready to break free, I just love getting my throat burned and dry from a cigarette and then washing that feeling away with some coffee or a diet coke. I bought a ton of nicotine gum, but it just doesn't seem to satisfy.
I saw a story about becomeanex.org on the evening news and I am so grateful. If anybody has any suggestions I am all ears. Thanks.
