How to Stop Smoking

There are many things in life that have been said to be difficult, walking through fire, stab wounds, gas explosions, etc.; thankfully I have avoided them all. Unfortunately, I have fallen upon a more definitive problem, an aching urge to constrict my arteries and blacken my lungs because of an addiction to cigarettes. Yes, I said it. Addiction. I am like a wild eyed coffee drinker, waking, breaking, and dining with the ever consoling scent of smoke wafting about me, and I can picture myself with emphysema in years to come, but I don't care. Everyone says live for the here and now, and I must admit, I am quite happy.

As I look back though, I can tell I have begun to shut out those around me, and whether it is the smoke keeping my grandchildren out of my home or the distance (It's only 30 miles) I am not the same man I used to be, the youthful athlete who felt he could "leap tall buildings" and run fast as a racecar. Instead, I am tired and I feel segregated by a world of rigid smokers and nonsmokers, and my life has slowly drifted away from me. So, like many others before me, I have started a new journey in an effort to piece my life back together and strengthen the pitiful amount of health I have left.

When I first decided to try to quit smoking it was hush hush, almost like an embarrassed secret, that way if I failed no one would notice. Well, needless to say I failed, and I quickly realized that I didn't tell anyone because I hadn't had much faith in my succeeding, or I didn't want to succeed. I'm not quite sure. Either way, after that I told my brother (also a smoker) what I was up to, and at first he congratulated me, but soon, after much harassment from his wife and our mother, he joined me in quitting, giving me someone to talk to, but more importantly someone who would guarantee I was staying on track.

We quickly began to research nicotine in an effort to learn how to quit smoking, and after viewing symptoms such as weight gain, anxiety, and intense withdrawals due to the physical and emotional dependence bred from cigarettes, we were worried but determined to quit. We found a vast amount of information on American Cancer Society's webpage, showing that nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) gives you nicotine -- in the form of gums, patches, sprays, inhalers, or lozenges -- but not the other harmful chemicals in tobacco. It can help relieve some of these symptoms so that you can focus on the psychological aspects of quitting.

When it came time to choose how to stop smoking, we actually chose different ways, and even better they've both worked. I chose Nicorette gum, because I like the idea of being able to adjust my nicotine intake as time went on. The patch and inhaler have regulated amounts, but the gum is a fast-acting form of replacement in which nicotine is taken directly in through the mucous membrane of the mouth. Even better, you can buy it over the counter without a prescription. It comes in 2 mg and 4 mg strengths, but be careful. Acidic food and drinks like coffee, juice, and soda can absorb your nicotine. It is best to wait at least 15 min after to get the full effect of nicotine.

Brian's nasal spray turned out to be phenomenal also. It delivers nicotine almost immediately to the bloodstream because of its quick absorption through the nose. It is available only by prescription though (probably because it's an almost instant nicotine hit) but it has definitely gotten the job done. The only problem with it (or that I see) is that you have a steady flow of nicotine, so you need to get off of it in three to six months, but you have still been fed nicotine during that entire time. If you have the power to limit yourself to the number of sprays and lessen them over that amount of time, you'll be fine, but many users become addicted to the nasal spray, and are unable to give it up at the 6 mo mark.

I hope this has been some help- and good luck to those who are about to join the crowd. Just think, soon you'll smell, better, live longer, and your fingernails will actually be white (bet you didn't think that would happen.) Have fun and live longer!!