Eventually, my mother got proactively involved. She was no longer suggesting I quit. This time she demanded. Mom stayed on top of me and used everything short of blackmail to get me to do so! She bought *nicotine patches and motivated me until I got through it. Mom was elated to have her youngest child smoke-free. After weeks of trail and error I'd eventually kick the habit. I was proud. However, this Herculean event was short-lived as I relapsed after 4 months later. Seeing my mother plummet from pride to disappointment was hard. To put it bluntly, I felt like shit; but it was harder to stay clean b/c I was not emotionally ready to quit. In other words, I did it for my mom not myself. Perhaps, doing it for her should have been enough but fact is, it wasn't. With any addiction you have to want to quit for yourself.
*Unfortunately, "it is common knowledge that most FDA-approved medical alternatives, such as nicotine gum and patches, are dismal failures, with some studies showing less than a 6.75% success rate after six months" (qtd. AP article "Negative Reactions Mystify Electronic Cigarette Owners" pg. 6).
Besides, once again I thought myself young and invisible like most teens/twenty-somethings. It wasn't until the affects of smoking visited my immediate circle that I woke up. I witnessed the hospitalizations and inevitable deaths of two of my friends' fathers, late aunt and an uncle (RIP) from smoking related diseases. Specifically, emphysema and cancer. No sooner, I'd turned 29 and thoughts of being in my 30's and all the implications that involves flooded my mind. Finally, my own father was diagnosed with COPD and the chill of death went down my spine. The writing was on the wall was clearer than ever before as if GOD himself were trying to tell me something.
I did not desire to end up as they did, and and so many others. I chose life... said, "I Quit!" and never looked back. Having literally seen loved ones dwindle away and the pain it caused myself, family, and friends broke my heart. Yet, strengthened my resolve, conviction, and perspective. CIGARETTES KILL and big tobacco companies don't give a damn -- bottom line. They even tried to demonize e-cigs. A novel device that is far superior than patches in terms of smoking cessation products. It's not a game. As smokers, we gamble with our lives daily denying that the chips are indeed stacked against us. As far as dad, the doctor says he has only 30% lung capacity left and put him on Advair. Urging him to quit, the doctor wrote him a prescription for Chantix. Personally, I didn't like the idea of him taking those pills because I've read the side effects and it gives me pause. Will never understand the logic behind medicines that make you sicker than you were before taking them; such as anti-depressants with the risk of suicide. That is a complete oxymoron... but I digress.I'd heard about about electronic cigarettes (aka "e-cigs") so decided to do research.. I came across several informative YouTube videos, articles, and forums online. I was skeptical at first b/c off-hand it seemed like a gimmick but by that point I was desperate to quit. I knew the patch was tedious, and broke my skin out in rash. Long story short. E-cigs make book and common sense. I eventually purchased one and the GOD honest truth is that I'm so glad I did! It was the easiest transition I ever experienced. It's the most helpful and [if I might add] ingenious smoking cessation product I've ever seen. FDA approved or not these devices are a no-brainer. Now, of course you can quit other ways. It's relative to the individual but as far as I'm concerned this is the only approach without withdrawal symptoms. I can't explain it any better or further. I can only suggest in hopes someone will be inspired to quit smoking and decide to save their own life.
In the beginning I went about for months singing the praises of the product and my success with friends and complete strangers alike. Some whom (including my own father) scoffed at the idea and avoided my appointments (yes, I'd even started selling e-cigs). I mean, the last thing I want to be is self-righteous but it never ceases to amazes me how folks can get so stuck in their ways, you can show them a way out and they still won't take it. It used to infuriate me but I realized to each their own. All in all, I just hope to inadvertently save some lives. By posting my experience maybe someone will see the writing on the wall too. God bless.
In the beginning I went about for months singing the praises of the product and my success with friends and complete strangers alike. Some whom (including my own father) scoffed at the idea and avoided my appointments (yes, I'd even started selling e-cigs). I mean, the last thing I want to be is self-righteous but it never ceases to amazes me how folks can get so stuck in their ways, you can show them a way out and they still won't take it. It used to infuriate me but I realized to each their own. All in all, I just hope to inadvertently save some lives. By posting my experience maybe someone will see the writing on the wall too. God bless.
