Back home, I scouted for support groups and empowered myself with wisdom from great sites like About.com Smoking Cessation and www.whyquit.com. Nothing short of the phrase, noble enlightened souls can be attributed to the array of moderators who dot this forum. Of course, all other refined souls who share their experience and help the newcomers are special as well. Having been the founder of a new group of Nicotine Anonymous in my city in 2003 and which subsequently became dormant for almost 2 years, I revived the same with the help of www.nicotine-anonymous.org. I must also attribute much to the site Medicolegal.tripod.com.
Today, I celebrate my first year gratitude day at Nicotine Anonymous, which has a steady fellowship of recovering nicotine addicts. I also had massive support from nicotine gum which I used for almost a week to control my intense craving moments. Believe it, I still have 2 pieces of gum in my purse to tackle any such weak moments!
Coming to my smoking history, I began smoking at the age of 16 years when I entered high school, wanting to look senior, yet went on to smoke for the next 22 years. How innocently, yet foolishly I walked into this trap. I even managed to count my cigarettes from 1 - 100, wherein I promised to stop exactly on reaching that milestone. It went on to almost 1000 times that milestone! Or was it that my will-power had taken a beating to 1/1000th low-level?!
The best part of my turnabout in recovery came in 2003, when I managed to quit for almost 6 months, only to relapse to the most dangerous thought of just one puff. Then, for almost 2.5 years I tried and failed miserably, almost 50 times! Each time I quit for 48 hours, I relapsed. I thought to myself...I can never do it, but somehow kept trying and trying. Being a member in Alcoholics Anonymous and sober for almost 5 years then, it brought me back to the hope that it is also possible. Smoking was associated with almost all my feelings, thoughts, action and even sleep! It was the center part of my life and my first love.
The damages were silently mounting, but I foolishly kept myself addicted. Over and over again, the misery of this substance abuse clung to me, like a monstrous serpent that wrapped itself on a bony human being. The more I tried to give up, the more the misery was. It is then that I resolved never to give up giving up, no matter how much my confidence took a beating.
Today I am smober for a year and look forward for the great milestone of 2 years and beyond. During the first 3 months it was hard, but then, I kept reminding myself not to count the days. At the end of one year, my confidence is definitely on an upbeat and I feel that I can accomplish most of my aspirations and bring about a new standard of living.
I have of late started on certain important basics, like disciplining myself to work on a strict schedule and be focused. I make a daily inventory of my activities and analyze my shortcomings. I strive to be more refined and work to a plan. I'm able to interact and adjust with others even during conflicting moments.
I think Terry Martin's write-ups have immense wisdom on smoking cessation and all that go about with a recovering addictive personality. I doubt that she has ever missed out on any key issue, and it is amazing how she keeps spinning more such write-ups, maintaining consistent high standards and maturity. With Anna and the other moderators, this team can put Tobacco Giants to sleep in a decade. :)
Now coming to my stats:
- It is approx 7300 cigarettes not smoked in one year. Or should I admit that it's approximately 160,000 smoked in 22 years!
- The amount of money saved in one year in Indian Rupees = approx 20,000 Rs = approx 500 USD. Or is it the amount of money smoked equivalent to 4,00,000 Rs – 20,000 Rs = 3,80,000 Rs approx = 11,000 USD in 22 years!
- The amount of time saved in one year is 7300 x 10 min/cigarette = 73,000 mins = 51 days of non-stop smoking. Or should I say that is approximately 62 months – 2 months = 5 years of non-stop smoking in my life time of 39 years!
