Time to Give up Smoking – This time For Ever

I started smoking back when I was in college and have been doing it since then. In all these years, I must have quit smoking at least 5-6 times but it was always for a set period of time. For example, I will decide that I won’t smoke for next 3 months and will start again after 3 months. Reason behind this was always to give my lungs a break and clear the cough a little bit. Surprising part however was that I did quit smoking successfully each time. As a matter of fact, In 2011, I did not smoke at all for an entire year.

Lately, my smoking has increased drastically. I am smoking almost 15-20 cigarettes a day which is kind of a bit scary for myself. So yes, in a way this time I have scared myself into quitting to smoke permanently, once and for all. December 13^th is my birthday when I am making this post. I just had my last cigarette and have made up my mind to give up smoking completely. I will be relying on Nicotex and other nicotine gums heavily to help reduce the cravings. Keeping my fingers crossed and hoping that I will be able to give it up.

Update: January 13^th

One month gone and I have been able to control myself. I have not had a single cigarette in the entire month and it literally is driving me crazy. Giving up cigarettes is like breaking up with the girl of your dreams; you just miss it so much and all the time. My tea and coffee consumption has gone up and I have chewing almost 15-20 nicotine gums a day. In fact I keep one in my mouth all the time; even ended up going to sleep a few times with a nicotine gum in my mouth. I tried looking for nicotine patches as well but they are just so expensive so stayed with gums only.

Update: February 13^th

Two months gone and still no cigarettes, phew. The cravings are still there though not as much as in the first month. Team and coffee consumption is still high and I even try to avoid being with friends when they smoke. It is just such a huge torture watching them smoke when you know you cannot. I am still relying on nicotine gums and the consumption is about the same as before. Kind of getting worried about this a little actually, I do not want to end up getting addicted to gums after smoking cigarettes.

Update: March 13^th

So I went on a road trip in last one month with 2 of my friends; and they both smoke. We drove to Prashar Lake and camped there for the night. After a 3 days trip, I think I am OK to say now that I have truly given up smoking. This trip was like a test for me and I was very worried that I will relapse. Imagine this, It was a 10 hours’ drive on 1^st and 3^rd day each with two guys smoking in the car. On second day, 1^st day night and 2^nd day we stayed at a camp at the lake with snow all around. So in short, it was cold, it was snow everywhere, we were camping in middle of nowhere, up in the hills with absolute silence, lots of tea and my two friends were smoking non-stop. It is all that a smoker needs to pick up a cigarette again but I successfully stopped myself. I did not smoke at all, not even a drag.

Nicotine gums are still on. Though I am not chewing them as much as first two months but still quite a few. I still have a gum in my mouth almost all the time. Seriously thinking If I am getting addicted to this now?