I Wanted Freedom From Nicotine Addiction

My life as a smoker

I tried my first cigarette at age 14, but it was not until I was in college that smoking became a frequent activity. I was a pack and a half user per day. It came to a point that if I had no money, I would search the house for coins so that I could buy a pack of cigarettes.

My wife and children also were affected by my habit. They always had respiratory ailments, and we were in and out of the hospital often. I would not smoke in the living room or bedroom, but did smoke in the bathroom or outside of the house.

Why and how I quit smoking

I subscribed to the "smoking cessation" group four years ago and it helped me a lot. Even though I was not actively involved with the discussions, it helped me prepare for the QUIT. Now, I am 40 and struggling to quit "cold turkey". The last three years have been on and off for me. Currently I am two weeks quit, and this time I feel comfortable with it.

I think about my children when I am at the point of buying a nicotine pack. I do not want them to pick up the habit from me. They say 90 percent of the time that the children of smoking parents will also pick up the habit. I guess I got it from my Dad, who is now in his 30th year of not smoking. But I do not hold him responsible for my smoking, it was my responsibility.

I can free myself of nicotine addiction with the help of my family and friends. I hope that what I have done for almost 30 years to my body will not be that bad, because I am feeling some of the effects of smoking. Things like high blood pressure, stones, poor circulation, poor digestive system, etc. I hope it can be reversed over time by not smoking at all.

Advice

• If you are thinking of starting smoking, STOP! Make a U-TURN! If you start this, it is very hard to break free.
• Quit for yourself and your family. I have young children, and I always think, "who will take care of them if something happens to me?"
• Exercise, eat right, and change your lifestyle.
• CHANGE is hard...but it will be hardest for the ones you will leave behind if a smoking-related disease catches up with you before you can quit.

Terry Martin, Smoking Cessation Guide, says:

Your Quit Smoking Toolbox

Smoking Cessation Support Forum

If you're still smoking, use the information above to help you set the foundation of a quit program that will bring you the long-term freedom from nicotine addiction you're looking for.