Smoking Addiction & Recovery Support Group
The CDC claims that nicotine is a "very addictive drug" that can be "as addictive as heroin or cocaine." Nicotine is typically eliminated from the body within 2 to 3 days, however, physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms may last for much longer depending on the individual. If you are trying to kick the habit, this community is dedicated to giving smokers the...
I am a member of another support group on DailyStrength.com, but I am a newbie here on the Smoking Addiction Group.
I am 52 years old and have smoked since I was 19. Over the years I made numerous futile attempts at quitting, but during those attempts, I honestly didn't really want to....thus the reason I was unsuccessful.
Then at the end of 2012 I made my mind up that I truly wanted to quit. Before I had tried cold turkey, lozenges, gum, welbuterin (sp), and the patch. Last year my doctor and I had a long conversation and we both agreed that Chantix was my best option. So off we went.
I was at the end of my 2nd month without a cigarette, on the second month script of Chantix, when I was hit with a medical diagnosis that threw me for a loop. I was diagnosed with Hepatitis C. Like anyone else that is also HCV positive, it is a hard pill to swallow. You quickly get on the internet and one of the first things you learn is that more people die from HCV yearly than those that die from HIV. Needless to say a bit of depression sat in, along with many other emotions.
Even with all of this news, I was remaining successful and not smoking. I was 3 months without a cigarette. My doctor had originally prescribed me a 6 months supply. when I went to pick up the 4th month, the pharmacy informed me that it had been declined. I contacted them and over the next week, we went round and round. I slowly went up the chain of command. Apparently, in their infinite wisdom, they know me and my body better than my doctor and I do. They feel that 3 months is all that anybody needs. So I can only get them to pay for 3 months per calendar year.
So with the stress and emotions from HCV fresh on my mind and now the stress and anxiety brought about by my insurance company, guess what? I picked them back up and started smoking again. After a couple of months I tried quitting cold turkey, then the patch, all to no avail. Hindsight being 20/20, I should have just paid the additional 3 months out of pocket and rolled on.
Well here we are and it is 2014 and I have a new prescription for Chantix. As anyone who knows this drug, knows that you smoke all you want the first seven days and then put them down. Tommorrow, January 24, 2014 is my last day of smoking. I am mentally prepared so when I go into the pharmacy to pickup the 4th month, that it will be declined by my insurance and I will have to pay it out of pocket. I am ok with that because it is less expensive than a month's worth of cigarettes.
As to my HCV. I decided I was not going to let it control my life so I took the bull by the horns and I am in control. New drugs with little to no side effects are hitting the market as we speak and I am looking forward to being smoke free when I start my HCV treatment in May of this year.
I am 52 years old and have smoked since I was 19. Over the years I made numerous futile attempts at quitting, but during those attempts, I honestly didn't really want to....thus the reason I was unsuccessful.
Then at the end of 2012 I made my mind up that I truly wanted to quit. Before I had tried cold turkey, lozenges, gum, welbuterin (sp), and the patch. Last year my doctor and I had a long conversation and we both agreed that Chantix was my best option. So off we went.
I was at the end of my 2nd month without a cigarette, on the second month script of Chantix, when I was hit with a medical diagnosis that threw me for a loop. I was diagnosed with Hepatitis C. Like anyone else that is also HCV positive, it is a hard pill to swallow. You quickly get on the internet and one of the first things you learn is that more people die from HCV yearly than those that die from HIV. Needless to say a bit of depression sat in, along with many other emotions.
Even with all of this news, I was remaining successful and not smoking. I was 3 months without a cigarette. My doctor had originally prescribed me a 6 months supply. when I went to pick up the 4th month, the pharmacy informed me that it had been declined. I contacted them and over the next week, we went round and round. I slowly went up the chain of command. Apparently, in their infinite wisdom, they know me and my body better than my doctor and I do. They feel that 3 months is all that anybody needs. So I can only get them to pay for 3 months per calendar year.
So with the stress and emotions from HCV fresh on my mind and now the stress and anxiety brought about by my insurance company, guess what? I picked them back up and started smoking again. After a couple of months I tried quitting cold turkey, then the patch, all to no avail. Hindsight being 20/20, I should have just paid the additional 3 months out of pocket and rolled on.
Well here we are and it is 2014 and I have a new prescription for Chantix. As anyone who knows this drug, knows that you smoke all you want the first seven days and then put them down. Tommorrow, January 24, 2014 is my last day of smoking. I am mentally prepared so when I go into the pharmacy to pickup the 4th month, that it will be declined by my insurance and I will have to pay it out of pocket. I am ok with that because it is less expensive than a month's worth of cigarettes.
As to my HCV. I decided I was not going to let it control my life so I took the bull by the horns and I am in control. New drugs with little to no side effects are hitting the market as we speak and I am looking forward to being smoke free when I start my HCV treatment in May of this year.
I work at a funeral home for the past 30 years.....I see first hand the works of Mr. Nicodemon.........not pretty!!!! I always joked that becuz I worked at a funeral home....I would get a good deal should I get cancer...heart attack or stroke......but that isn't even funny. I've seen less ppl die of HCV than cancer due to smoking (mouth cancer is the worst.....eats the face away).
I wish you all the best. Plz come here daily to make some non smoking friends.....gain some ideas......and keep yourself accountable...ok?
You can do this!!!!!!!
stay positive and remember the 5 D's when you crave
distract,delay,deep breathe,drink water and discuss
Hugs Deb