Congrats to all the quitters. To those who have quit & relapsed, don't quit quitting.
From a doc's perspective, I've counseled hundreds of people to quit. How many actually sustained quitting I'll never know, but you all have touched on something that I tell everyone right up front. That is, you have to come up with something you're going to do instead of smoke, when you get the urge. If you have a plan in advance, you can do it. For some, the nicotine addiction is rough; that's where the patches, gum, inhalers, etc. will help. But, those can be tapered in a couple of weeks, and you're left with the psychological addiction/habit....that's where the going gets tough.
Some people just miss having something constantly in their hands/mouth. Get sugar-free suckers. Play with the stick. Go through 50 a day if you want; lots better than smoking.
Zyban (bupropion) helps some folks to fight the urge quite a bit, as some of you noticed, and after several months it can usually be tapered off easily. Granted, if you can do it "cold turkey," that's fantastic. I don't push drugs unless they're needed, but I'd certainly rather see someone use prescription drugs with minimal side effects for the next several months than to continue using cigarettes for the next several months....
Some smoke because of anxiety or depression. Be honest with yourself, and if that's why you smoke ("Just to take the edge off & relax..."), seek treatment for the anxiety/depression first, and then get yourself off the cigs.
If your S.O. smokes, you both need to quit. Having only one person quit in the household is nearly impossible.
I sincerely commend those of you who have quit. Without a doubt, it's the best thing you'll ever do for your health.
Jim
From a doc's perspective, I've counseled hundreds of people to quit. How many actually sustained quitting I'll never know, but you all have touched on something that I tell everyone right up front. That is, you have to come up with something you're going to do instead of smoke, when you get the urge. If you have a plan in advance, you can do it. For some, the nicotine addiction is rough; that's where the patches, gum, inhalers, etc. will help. But, those can be tapered in a couple of weeks, and you're left with the psychological addiction/habit....that's where the going gets tough.
Some people just miss having something constantly in their hands/mouth. Get sugar-free suckers. Play with the stick. Go through 50 a day if you want; lots better than smoking.
Zyban (bupropion) helps some folks to fight the urge quite a bit, as some of you noticed, and after several months it can usually be tapered off easily. Granted, if you can do it "cold turkey," that's fantastic. I don't push drugs unless they're needed, but I'd certainly rather see someone use prescription drugs with minimal side effects for the next several months than to continue using cigarettes for the next several months....
Some smoke because of anxiety or depression. Be honest with yourself, and if that's why you smoke ("Just to take the edge off & relax..."), seek treatment for the anxiety/depression first, and then get yourself off the cigs.
If your S.O. smokes, you both need to quit. Having only one person quit in the household is nearly impossible.
I sincerely commend those of you who have quit. Without a doubt, it's the best thing you'll ever do for your health.
Jim
