August 21st, 2007
Quit smoking
One of the hardest things I’ve ever done was give up smoking. But it’s also one of the best things I’ve ever done.
I was a heavy smoker. I enjoyed smoking even though I knew it was no good for me. Every time I got a cold (and I got a lot in those days) I ended up with bronchitis and a hacking cough that lasted weeks. I was short of breath. When I walked any distance I got pains in my legs (a bad sign surely). My teeth were nicotine stained and my house, car, clothes and hair stank of smoke. But I’d been addicted since I was 18 and despite several attempts to quit, was a hopeless slave to tobacco.
In the end it wasn’t fear for my health or desire for a pure environment that tipped the scales. It came down to a strong desire to control my own life.
Two small and unrelated things made me give up smoking. One night I was working late and ran out of cigarettes. Not having my drug drove me to distraction. Like a crazed junkie I drove all over town (at midnight) looking for a place to ’score’. The next day the state government put up the price of cigarettes.
My habit suddenly seemed ridiculous - I was utterly dependent on a noxious weed that was killing me and reducing my quality of life, I was polluting other peoples’ air, I was voluntarily giving more money than necessary to the government through tobacco excise, and perhaps worst of all I was adding to the profits of the giant, multinational, psychopathic (in the sense that they lack all conscience) tobacco companies. It was a madness that had to stop, so:
- I ‘psyched’ myself into quitting. It was a matter of harnessing stubbornness, will- power, determination, perseverance, and deciding that I really, really wanted to stop smoking. I vowed I would not be beaten this time. It became a matter of pride. I declared war on the weed.
- I went to the chemist and got some Nicobate chewing gum (I’d tried giving up cold turkey before and it was too horrible to contemplate again). Any of the nicotine chewing gums, lozenges, or patches are a great help in managing cravings.
- I rang the Quit line (in Victoria) and they sent me a parcel of excellent literature about how to quit. Their advice was invaluable.
- I took a class in meditation to help the jittery, edgy feeling from withdrawing.
- I stocked up on low fat snacks (fruits, vegetable sticks, etc) to help ease the cravings without putting on excessive weight.
- I needed something to do with my hands so I knitted (and knitted). I’ve never had so many jumpers, scarves etc and neither have friends or family.
- Smoking is such an oral fixation that I needed more than the Nicobate gum so also chewed sugar free gum. This became a bit of a habit in itself which lasted 6 months.
- If it was possible, when I craved a cigarette, I did something physical - walking, cycling, gardening - it helped.
- As each day passed I put aside the money I would have spent on cigarettes with the aim of buying something extravagant for myself when I was finally free of the addiction (I finally gave myself an expensive camera as a reward).
- I worked out roughly how much I had spent on smoking since I took it up (you don’t want to know) and how much I would save over the next decades if I didn’t smoke (that felt better).
- When a craving hit I drank a glass of water and took long, deep breaths.
- I took up new hobbies and classes to help get my mind off smoking.
- I kept telling myself that I would not be a sucker again.
- I took each day at a time. The aim was just to last that day without a cigarette.
- I already felt edgy and caffeine only made it worse. For a long time I had to cut back on coffee and tea.
The first month was the worst. I had nightmares and was irritable and bad tempered. But it got better. Now I admit I am an intolerant reformed smoker. I hate cigarettes, I hate the smell of smoke and I hate the companies that profit from convincing people to buy a dangerous, addictive product.
So please, give up the weed. You will be healthier, wealthier, fitter, nicer smelling, food will taste and smell better, you will have extra time (that was once frittered away smoking) and you will not have some chemical or any corporate parasites ruling your life.
There are many aids for people wanting to give up smoking. See your doctor, chemist, or go to www.quit.org.au or www.anti-smoking.org/
You can do it! And you’ll love yourself when you do. Good luck.
