Quit smoking.

[Curmudgeon]

Nicotine addiction! It's actually beatable.

 

Nicotine is one of the most addictive drugs on the market with a plasma life of about 20 minutes. That's as compared to many hard-core drugs with plasma lives of up to 72 hours.

 

This may explain why I smoked for over 40 years, having started at an early age being raised by two smokers in an era during which almost everyone smoked and there were few, if any, restrictions. In fact, the only one I can remember is that in the local movie theater you could only smoke in the balcony. People smoked in stores, in banks, in offices -- just about anywhere but church.

 

In any event, with the help of the new dopamine-blocker, Chantix, I stopped smoking on the 1st of this month and don't even think about it anymore. Having tried before, and ultimately failed, using hypnotism twice and Welbutrin another time, this has been a cakewalk in comparison.

[polywog]

Good for you!

 

I quit drinking two weeks ago but have been smoking since my ex dumped me last January.

 

I wanna quit. I've always been able to in the past, but this is the longest I've smoked, and the heaviest.

 

So your post gives me some hope, in case I have a huge struggle when I quit, which, er, I want to do soon.

 

My vanity inspires me; I have great skin and I know that smoking is going to wreck it. I look better than ever after quitting booze, maybe I'll regain total babedom when I stop smoking!

[Curmudgeon]

... maybe I'll regain total babedom when I stop smoking!

 

I'll bet you're already there!

[LucreziaBorgia]

Curmudgeon, I'm glad to hear you quit! Smoking is still prevalent in my area. The only reason people don't smoke in public places anymore is because they aren't allowed. You see lots of people outside these places smoking. Of course, like it says on a popular bumper sticker here "In our state tobacco is a vegetable!"

 

My BIL is on that stuff too. He says it really works for him. I'm trying to get my exH on the stuff too, so that he can also quit. I personally won't ever smoke another one in my life, and I would love to see those I care most about do the same.

[Lizzie60]

I have to say that it was a 'life changing experience' for me. I quit a little over 14 years ago... cold turkey.. and never touched one cigarette since then.

 

What changed:

 

my skin (look much healthier now)

my hair (have doubled in thickness, I had extra thin hair before)

my general health

my body, I gained weight at first then took over 18 months to loose it (exercise) and my whole body changed from there... I didn't have much boobs... I got a huge pair after... LOL

my house smells fresh, my car too

I feel much better all over...

oh...now I know why my libido is in overdrive..

[Curmudgeon]

I have to say that it was a 'life changing experience' for me. I quit a little over 14 years ago... cold turkey.. and never touched one cigarette since then.

 

What changed:

 

my skin (look much healthier now)

my hair (have doubled in thickness, I had extra thin hair before)

my general health

my body, I gained weight at first then took over 18 months to loose it (exercise) and my whole body changed from there... I didn't have much boobs... I got a huge pair after... LOL

my house smells fresh, my car too

I feel much better all over...

oh...now I know why my libido is in overdrive..

 

But I can identify with the smells, skin-tone, general health, etc. However, if I grow boobs I'm going to start smoking cigars!!!

 

Weight gain doesn't seem to be an issue since I can exercise more easily now. Doubt that missing hair will miraculously reappear but I won't complain if the libido increases. Neither will my wife. If she does I'll give you a call!

 

Timing was perfect. Bought a new car the end of October and was promoted into a new position with a new office early this month. Didn't want either venue to smell of smoke, and they don't. The car still has the new car smell and my office is totally smoke-free.

[Ariadne]

Good going Curm!

[PWSX3]

Where is that darn thumbs up smilie!?!?!??!?!

 

Congrats, I have never smoked but know a lot of people that have & said it was the hardest thing they have done to stop.

 

I also feel that when you "really" want to quit it makes it easier as well.

 

CONGRATS!!!

[Curmudgeon]

That was the ticket. I REALLY wanted to quit, and needed to!

 

Thank you!

[KenzieAbsolutely]

i bet your new grandson would thank you if he could.

 

congratulations from one quitter to another.

[blind_otter]

Congratulations! I quit cold turkey, and it was hellish. I kept craving cigarettes for weeks/months after I quit and it was only through force of will alone that I stayed off cigarettes. Now I'm finally craving free but it took a LONG time.

 

My SO's brother had a bunch of chantix on his counter in his kitchen (he's gone for the holidays and we are taking care of his animals)...I saw it and wondered if it would have been easier to quit taking that stuff. Oh well.

[Curmudgeon]

Congratulations! I quit cold turkey, and it was hellish. I kept craving cigarettes for weeks/months after I quit and it was only through force of will alone that I stayed off cigarettes. Now I'm finally craving free but it took a LONG time.

 

My SO's brother had a bunch of chantix on his counter in his kitchen (he's gone for the holidays and we are taking care of his animals)...I saw it and wondered if it would have been easier to quit taking that stuff. Oh well.

 

The stuff has certainly worked for me. I think it's been the easiest. Tomorrow is my last pill (I've cut down from two to one a day) and I don't anticipate any problems.