Quitting smoking...

So, after my last visit to the Doctor, I decided to try to finally quit smoking. I had smoked pretty much steadily for 20 years, figure a pack a day.

I decided to quit because in the abstract, I knew that I should. I have to say though, that while emotionally, and academically I knew that I should quit, I never really wanted to. See, I really liked smoking. I loved the taste/rush/ritual of the first cigarette of the day. I loved how smoking kept me calmer while I was driving. I even liked the way that smoke kept the mosquitoes away in the hazy summer days on the deck.

And yet, I knew I needed to quit. I’d heard all the “Oh you can’t imagine how much better you’ll feel” platitudes from everyone else who’d ever quit and figured if nothing else, I’d save north of $100 a month.

When I told the doc (annual physical) he said he had just the thing. There’s a new drug out there called Chantix. Google it, you’ll find it. In my opinion, it was a miracle. There’s no way I could have quit without this. It’s simply an amazing drug. You smoke the first week you’re on it, and then you stop but continue taking the drug for 7 weeks. Basically, it made me feel (for the most part) indifferent to cigarettes. Now this is something I couldn’t imagine, but I’m tellin’ you, it that’s how it worked for me.

I kept busy, upped my workout regimen to stay tired, and completely forswore alcohol for the first 5 weeks and all-in-all, aside from a cranky first couple of weeks without the smokes, I made it happen.

Here’s the thing though, I haven’t experienced any of the positives that everyone always mentions – food doesn’t taste better, my wind isn’t that much better, and I don’t breathe that much better. And, I miss smoking. I don’t physically crave it, but there are times when I sure would like to fire one up. Intellectually, I know better, and I’m pretty sure I won’t back-slide, but I’m just sayin’, the temptation is still there and I don’t think it’ll every completely go away.

But, if you think you can’t quit and want to, ask your Doc about Chantix, it worked for me!

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