Hi 2cents
You're a good friend to him
I think no matter what chemical help you use, the main thing that determines whether you quit or not is your desire to do so...do you want to quit more than you want to keep smoking?
That being said....I think my story is typical of quitters using chantix...smoked for 36 yrs...was up to at least 2 packs a day....I mean, if I was awake, and not with a client, I was smoking..had tried patches, gum, welbutrin, zyban, and those fake (nicotine laden)cigarettes. I never went a day without a cigarette. Had some health problems from smoking that I'd been trying to ignore.
One of my friends whose story paralleled mine told me she had quit by using chantix. I got very hopeful, decided I'd try it. Set my quit day, planned it for when I could hopefully sleep through the first few days, and started taking the chantix. Kept smoking for the first week..not as much as I had been, but didn't deny myself a cig during that week...actually had 3 packs of cigs left by my quit date.
I did it on my own for the first few days, found this site on day three I think. I used reading and posting, and some of the "dealing with cravings" tips, filled out the glove box, and just rode it out. By the end of the first week I was having very few cravings, and could identify what triggered them..mostly old associations...finishing or taking a break from a task, finishing work, driving.
And now? Every few weeks or so it seems I have an upsurge of a crave, but you know what? I've developed some good strategies for dealing with them, and they go away! I recently went on a trip and knew I wouldn't have much puter access, so I printed out a list of self-talk to use..and I did use that list a few times...and remained smoke-free
It is truly amazing to me that I havent smoked a cigarettte for over two months....it was so much a part of my life...and don't want to, ever again. Even when I feel like smoking one, the part of me that doesn't want to speaks so much louder.
Please tell your friend that he can stop smoking if he wants to. Nothing will change in his life other than being healthier, richer, and being free of the addiction. I'll be another one of his quit buddy if he wants me to.
aloha to you and to him
-aloha
[B]My Milage:[/B]
[B]My Quit Date: [/B]3/22/2007
[B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 63
[B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 2,520
[B]Amount Saved:[/B] $428.40
[B]Life Gained:[/B]
[B]Days:[/B] 8 [B]Hrs:[/B] 19 [B]Mins:[/B] 14 [B]Seconds:[/B] 40
