Today I am going to attempt to accomplish what, in my eyes, may be the most "progressive" thing I will do this year. I just attached a nicotine patch to my arm in the hopes that this will truly be my last attempt at throwing out the cigarettes for good.
I have been trying, unsuccessfully, to quit smoking for the past two years. Each time I curse myself for ever starting this disgusting habit in the first place. I have been a smoker for fourteen years, and to be honest, I probably wouldn't even be thinking of quitting if my asthma hadn't gotten so bad lately. I figure at this rate, I will be on oxygen by the time I am 35 if I don't do something about this now.
All of my failed attempts at quitting were failures mostly because of my immense dependence on nicotine as a stress reducer. Even family members have told me during these times that I was too "bitchy" and I should just go out and have a cigarette to calm down. Of course, knowing that my behavior during the times of quitting was negatively affecting those around me served as the perfect excuse to go and light up again. This time, I am just going to have to isolate myself until the cravings subside. Don't ask me how I am going to do this, especially with Easter right around the corner, but I am going to, once again, try.
This time should hopefully be different, however, because I am quitting with the help of the patch and not going cold turkey like i have done in the past. Hopefully it will help me deal with the need for nicotine, leaving the only obstacle to overcome the habit part.
Wish me luck!!!!
I wish you the best of luck. I know that quitting is very difficult. I only smoked for like a year and quit instantly because i knew someone who got cancer and it scared the hell out of me. Being on the patch will definitely help you. My boyfriend smoked for over 17 years and last year decided to quit and use the patch. He hasn't lighted up since. So, you should be proud of yourself for even wanting to quit, because even that is a big step. GOOD LUCK!!!!!
Jasmin Muniz
Thanks! It helps to hear that your boyfriend was able to qd he smoked longer than I did! I really do appreciate the comments and the support! They are helping me more than you know!
I also rated you a 5.Anyone who is trying to kick a habit like that deserves a five. It's not easy to admit you have a problem with smoking, talking about it , and getting help for it. I hope the nicotine patches work out for you.
Thank you! So far it's been a day and I'm doing pretty good!
I have wanted to quit for a while and I really need to. I also have asthma. Since I am 20 I want to quit young so the damage can reverse itself a little. I am glad you made this decision and I hope you stick to it. I can give you some tips that worked for my dad when he quit. (he meet my mom and started back but before that he quit for 2 years) He took all the ashtrays out of the house, got rid of anything that reminded him of smoking. He said the first week was hard but after that he did well. He said he could smell again, taste alot better, breath better. I can barely breath now. It is a nasty habit. My only problem is everyone in my family does it including my boyfriend. It is best to quit when you are around non smokers. I was going to try Chantix but heard about the really bad side effect. (it is a stop smoking pill that you smoke regular on) The bad side effect was that it made people get the urge to want to kill people. This is bad. People have sued the company. I will root for you and hopefully I will be a non-smoker soon right along with you...
Something people should know about:
http://www.progressiveu.org/032913-lupus-uncureable-wait-what
Thanks for the support, Dani! To be honest, if I lived with another smoker, I doubt I would even be able to TRY to quit. It's so hard to even watch someone on TV smoking a cigarette sometimes.
If you do try to quit, I wish you all the strength I can spare to share with you! I hope you're able to. It's probably one of the most difficult things I have ever tried to do in my entire life. I have a lot of respect for all of the ex-smokers out there ;)
Well, it has been 5 days. I was doing okay at first, but on the third day the patch started giving me chest pains. I switched to a lower dose of the patch, but now I am craving nicotine more so I had a couple of cigarettes today.
I am going to keep trying, though. I really hope I can get past all of these cravings.....
You can do it. Don't punish yourself for having a few cigs. Just keep on going. You can do it!!! At least you are trying to quit. I am even having a hard time just thinking about it lol. Chest pains aren't good. You could also try the lozenges. They say that cig smoking is harder to quit than most illegal drugs but don't quote me on that!
I am here to inform and help:
http://www.progressiveu.org/032913-lupus-uncureable-wait-what
Love comments? I do too!
I heard the same thing, a doctor my mother talked to told her it was comparable to heroin. That sure is a scary thought to compare nicotine with heroin, though...
Here is an update on my "Stop Smoking" campaign - I want a cigarette. I cheat at work since my co-workers do not seem to like my personality if I don't smoke. In fact, they are the ones giving me the cigs. I've done good at home until now. It's scary to think that something as small as a cigarette can have this much of an affect on me.