Posted by 10derheart on September 5, 2011, at 13:24:06
In reply to Re: cigarettes » 10derheart, posted by zonked on September 5, 2011, at 10:04:15
Well, hard to remember so far back but I'll try ;-)
I used nicotine patches and also went to a group smoking cessation class for a couple months. I chewed on straws and cinnamon sticks when I was driving, talking on the phone and other places to help with the intense oral craving. I totally avoided alcohol and any bar situations. It took about 2-4 weeks for the worst physical symptoms to ease off. It probably took 1-2 years before I stopped having occasional, intense psychological cravings, but honestly, maybe 1-2 times a year, when triggered by some random thing on TV, etc., I still want to smoke. So after 17 years, this is why I know this is addiction and I must be as vigilant as an alcoholic, etc. I still recall the whole ritual of lighting up and inhaling, and it *seems* comforting, even though it was killing me and wrecking my health and finances. In my case, I am sure a huge part of the attraction was legally medicating undiagnosed ADD.
I wish you well. Some experts said it's harder to kick than cocaine. I had tried 5-6 prior times and gone back to it. I see every "failure" as a success - ANY smoker who abstains even for one day, in my view, successfully quit an incredibly powerful drug for one day. That is amazing to me. So, I hope you can hold out, but even if you slip, just start again once you get the patches back. Best thing I ever did. I remember feeling so much better within a few months, and being stunned at how my lungs must have been compromised and I didn't realize it. I could do numerous flights of stairs without even being winded.
Could your doc talk to a pharmacy near you and get you enough patches for the time at your mom's? Just a thought.
MDD (presently in complete remission); ADD-Inattentive type; mild anxiety (not fomally dx'd)
Meds: Strattera 80 mg q day
poster:10derheart
thread:995882
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20110902/msgs/995934.html