One day while listening to the radio, I heard an advertisement about a stop smoking shot. I’d heard this ad before but brushed it off as a gimmick. This time was different. I made a mental note about what I heard and when I got home I went to my PC and visited their website. I was impressed with what I read; so much so, I read it over and over again and did other searches about the info they provided. I even faxed a printout of the page ‘Physician Information’ to my doctor.
He wasn’t familiar with the procedure, but saw no reason why I shouldn’t try it. He and I both knew I didn’t have a choice.
After a serious discussion with my wife, I made an appointment. Although I had my doubts, I knew I had to; I needed to lay every doubt as to my success aside. I had to approach this life saving decision with absolute confidence and conviction.
The procedure is performed in a clinic with a doctor and medical staff. The shot works by blocking nicotine receptor sites in your brain, which cuts nicotine withdrawal symptoms. The behavioral aspects of my addiction were the hardest part to overcome.
After some orientation, counseling and a physical exam, the doctor gave me 3 shots; 1 in the arm and 1 behind each ear. It made me very loopy but that was ok, my wife was with me and she drove home. After the initial injections, you wear a patch behind your ear and use follow up prescription medications for appoximately 2 weeks. This ensures that the treatment given to you at the clinic does not wear off until your addiction recovery has run its course.
This stop smoking shot program claims an 86% success rate at two months and will stand behind the program for an entire year.
My Story
Nicotine addiction had consumed my entire life as far back as my memory could record. I was tired of this filthy habit; tired of not being able to fully live because of the constant coughing, wheezing and chest pains.When I was 9 years old, my little sister was born. I remember watching my Dad and some of his friends smoking cigars. I watched with admiration, thinking how cool they looked smoking those big ole’ stogies. So I picked one up from the ashtray and tried it. I must not have done it right 'cause I remember them showing me how to do it properly and suddenly I was the center of attention.
When I was 12, I was popular because I could easily steal a pack of cigarettes from one of my parent's cartons and easily get away with it. As a result, I always had cigarettes for me and my friends.
Smoking became a regular part of my life.
I stilled played sports and surprisingly I was still pretty good, but unfortunately I had also gotten pretty good at being a thief, a liar and a schemer. But not for long. The battles with my parents had escalated to an uncontrollable level until at the age of 14, they had enough and sent me away to a military school in the hopes they could beat the rebellion out of me. They weren’t able to.I was back at home at 16, still asserting my right to smoke if I chose to; bitter and more rebellious then ever. Finally, I ran away from home at 17. I was soon caught, returned to my parents, and promptly deposited into the Marine Corps. I was now a man and considered the problem of the Federal Government. My embattled childhood was over. I made it through with my right to smoke. I won. It took 9 years for me to return and make up with my family.
A few years later I married Linda and we had our daughter, Angela. It never occurred to me that smoking in the house and with a baby was not normal and probably not a good idea. My parents did it and I turned out ok, didn't I?
As my daughter got older I noticed she didn’t invite her friends over or ask me to take them anywhere. She was embarrassed because I was pretty much the only Daddy that smoked. Her friends complained when they did come over that our house and my truck reeked.
My wife and daughter talked about how I could never get lost in a crowd because they could always follow the sound of my cough. It had become increasingly worse and a little over 2 years ago it was practically nonstop. I started keeping an over the counter inhaler with me at all times. Because I couldn’t breathe after I lay down, I also kept one in my nightstand. The last thing I did before I closed my eyes and the first thing I did when I opened them was smoke a cigarette - even though my chest hurt like someone had punched me and I could barely breathe anymore.
I knew I wasn’t going to make it much longer; the breaths between coughs were minimal and labored. I could see the end of my life, my time horizon was in view. Still, I bought carton after carton of cigarettes, 3 packs a day. Day after day.
Smoking had been a part of my life for over 30 years. I fought for this right, how could I give it up? Where was I going to find the will? I was scared.
I prepared myself.
I broke all of my ashtrays with a hammer. I threw out all of my lighters, cigars and cigarettes... except for a half pack I smoked outside the clinic before I went in.With strength of purpose, I stepped out of my comfort zone and into my courage. I was on a mission and failure was not an option.
A little over 2 years ago, I made the most intelligent decision of my life. After 30+ years of smoking, I walked out of the clinic that day a nonsmoker, and have been one ever since.
Today I reached my 2 year smoke free milestone, and I stand before you a non-smoker. And although it was my will to undertake this journey, it was you my friends on this forum who constantly kept me on the right path and for that I love you all.
