How to Break a Bad Habit
56Breaking the Smoking Habit!
The old smoking habit seems to be one of the most dreaded and most talked about habit of them all (besides drugs). Of course it has been stated that cigarettes are an addictive drug too. I can speak from experience that it has to be one of the hardest habits to break but it is well worth it when you finally kick the habit.
There are many different aids available to help you stop smoking and I was one of those who tried nearly all of them, even hypnotism. None of them worked for more than a day or two, most of them not even that long.
Finally one winter day in December after I had fought what I thought was a cold, for about three or four days, I colapsed. I was at my son's house for Christmas dinner and couldn't even eat. I tried to take a nap and couldn't do that so I told my kids I was going to go home and rest. I colapsed on my way to my car. My son caught me and they loaded me up and off to the hospital we went. My oxygen level was down to 57 and the doctor said I probably would not have made it through the night if I hadn't been brought into the hospital. The diagnosis was a collapsed lung and it took the doctors at two different hospitals, three weeks and major lung surgery to keep the lung from collapsing again.
After three weeks I was able to go home and I haven't touched a cigarette since. It took me three weeks to quit but I did it and I am now paying for all those years of smoking. I was in a bad marriage and smoking seemed to relax me. I used them as a crutch knowing that they would probably end up killing me. I have COPD and Emphysema and there is no cure for it but I still feel better today than I did 10 years ago.
If you are one of the more fortunate ones and can break your habits sooner before the damage is done, more power to you. I always admired those who did quit over the years but just didn't have enough will power to do it myself.
Yes any habit can be brok but it is much harder for some than others. The persons living habits, lifestyle, and what goes on around them has a lot to do with whether they will succeed or not.
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Comments
You got that right bjj, living habits and lifestyle can sure play a part in whether you can quit smoking or not. Stress is a big factor in making it hard to quit. And your financial situation can sure play a big part too. But some would say that I'm just looking for an excuse.
I know I have to quit. One of the apartments in the building I live in was gutted by fire about 2 months ago and some smoke was spread through the building. I've felt short of breath since then. I've had asthma all my life and the doctors are now saying I have a touch of emphysema now myself.
I've tried the patch, acupuncture and hypnotism too but nothing worked. Cutting down doesn't seem to work either. My brother chewed the nicotine gum for what seemed like years off and on with out being able to quit, so I'm not going to waste my money on that. I know I have to quit. Maybe cold turkey and hibernation so I'm not tempted by others smoking. :-)
We are victims of the tobacco industry whether the medical establishment and governments think we are or not. The hypocrites should eliminate the industry completely by banning the growing of tobacco.
Mike
Thank you Mike and Health Conscious for your comments. I can relate to both of you because I smoked for about 35 years. It looks like the tobacco companies could also be held accountable for their actions by compensating every smoker on earth. They could start selling peanuts or something that would be beneficial to people instead of finding more ways to keep people smoking, like putting more nicotine in the cigarettes. It is a shame that something so deadly can even be allowed on the market.
Mike I know exactly what you are going through too. I was in a very stressful marriage for many years and used the cigarettes as a crutch. Finances played a big part in my problems too, among other things.
Happily my husband quit 16 years ago. I don't smoke so smelling it all the time was really hard on me. Now he always comments on the two of my grandchildren that I watch how badly they smell like smoke. So did our kids. Nothing I could do about it. He got a scare when his younger sister was told she had a cancerous growth. It ended up not cancerous but he swore off cigaretts right then and there and has never gone back to them. He said after about a week the urge went away, it was more you needed something in your mouth. He chewed regular gum when ever he got the urge and it is a success story.
another Barb :)
That is a very good success story Barb. I have noticed that your senses are much clearer too after you quit smoking. My sense of smell and taste are definitely stronger since I quit. It didn't help my eyesight though, I need glasses! LOL!
That's right, the tobacco companies could be held accountable. In fact I think I remember hearing on the news once that there is a group that has put in a class action law suit against the tobacco companies, and I think even some governments that allow it too. If anyone has any more info about this I'd be interested.
Your husband must not have smoked much Barb for him not to have the urge after about a week. I quit for about two months when I was on the patch but was back smoking within two weeks.
Barb Barb Barb, Barb Barbara Anne. We need one more Barb in here. :-)
Health Conscious says:
18 months ago
Thank you sharing your story, it will be an inspiration to others.
I am smoke free for almost 6 months after 30 years.