The Difficulties of Quitting Smoking
The Difficulties of Quitting Smoking
Smoking has killed millions of people. Lung Cancer, Emphysema, and heart failure are some of the things that I have to look forward to if I continue smoking. I am twenty-four years old, and I have been smoking for twelve years now. Three years ago cigarettes killed my grandfather, he was sixty-five.
I am a person that believes that without some vice or another life would be a bit boring. There is an old expression that solidifies this maxim, “if it makes you feel good, do it.” Well, I do it. To “ do it” is one thing but then again, I do not want to end up dead or dying of some horrific disease at thirty-five. That is why I have chosen to try and quit smoking.
Quitting smoking can be a process, I have tried previous to this little experiment in behavior modification and it was a nightmare. After a small time without a cigarette I became hostile, my personality changed, and I eventually succumbed to the craving for nicotine. So I knew that I was going to have to approach this methodically if I wanted any chance of success.
The first thing that I was able to do is speak with my doctor about the possible alternatives to “going cold turkey,” she informed me that nicorette gum, the nicotine transdermal patch, and also a prescription medication called Zyban was available. My doctor recommended that I try either the patch or the gum before considering Zyban, due to its side effects. I opted for the transdermal patch.
I have tried the patch before with some short-lived succession. I think that I was able to quit with the patch for three weeks or so. Wednesday morning I awoke, and instead of reaching over and lighting a cigarette before my feet hit the floor, I grabbed a patch went to the kitchen, cut the package open and slapped it on the upper part of my left arm. I remember being pretty proud of myself for making it as far as the kitchen.
The first week was the worst. The patch helped with the physiological addiction I had developed, but what I hadn’t realized was that I had developed a need to be constantly doing something with my hands and mouth. This was the hardest part. I had been smoking for as long as...