Quitting Smoking

So my doctor has prescribed the Nicoderm Patch system for me. It's only been one day but let me tell you, I'm ready to rip that patch off my body, cut it, roll it, and smoke it.

I tried quitting once before. It was about two years ago and I made it smoke-free for 7 days. Then I caved. Those 7 days were the longest days of my life.

I don't think non-smokers understand how incredibly difficult it is to quit. It's funny how people have such admiration for and give such support to people who are trying to overcome addictions to drugs or alcohol. But if you tell someone you're trying to quit smoking, they usually just give you a disgusted look and say something assy like: "It's about time!" Let me tell you, people. It is DAMNED hard to quit smoking!

You go through the same physical and mental withdrawal symptoms as any other addiction.

Today hasn't been too bad but I've been at work all day. The real agony begins when I get home and have to get through the weekend. Last time I quit, I found that I only had a couple really bad cravings. It was more the "habit" aspect of it that made me insane. I would sit at my computer and not be able to function because I didn't have a smoke in my hand. Not smoking after meals, that's a killer too. Watching tv. Reading a book. Man, there's pretty much nothing I do that doesn't require me having a cigarette in my hand.

You know, my mother smoked for almost 40 years. She finally quit and, you know what? She dropped dead of an aneurysm a couple months later. How's that for inspiring?

But I'll give it my best shot. Again.