Reflecting on My Three-Year Journey to Quit Smoking
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Chapter 1: My Smoking Journey
I first experimented with cigarettes during high school, and by the time I completed my college education, I was consuming a pack daily. This habit persisted for a decade, despite numerous attempts to quit. However, on September 19, 2019, I made another effort to stop. Honestly, I had low expectations, yet against all odds, I have now successfully remained nicotine-free for three years.
To mark this significant achievement, I want to reflect on three major missteps that contributed to my addiction at different stages of my life.
Section 1.1: The Underestimation of Various Tobacco Forms
My initial error was underestimating the addictive nature of cigars, cloves, and hookahs. After trying my first cigarette in high school, I transitioned to hookah, mistakenly believing it was a healthier and less addictive option. In college, I began smoking cigars and cloves regularly.
Although I was aware that these smoking methods were harmful, I convinced myself they weren’t too serious. I thought avoiding traditional cigarettes would keep me safe. Unfortunately, this led to an increased use of cigars and cloves, eventually leading me back to standard cigarettes.
People often joke about “gateway drugs,” but for me, hookahs, cigars, and cloves genuinely served as gateways to my pack-a-day smoking routine. In retrospect, I wish I had steered clear of tobacco entirely.
Subsection 1.1.1: The Impact of Nicotine Replacement Therapy
Section 1.2: Over-Reliance on Nicotine Patches
A decade later, while attempting to quit smoking, I fell into the trap of over-dependence on nicotine patches. The first time I used a patch, I was impressed by its effectiveness. After several failed attempts to quit, I finally found temporary success with the patch.
However, the challenge arose when I tried to reduce the strength of the patches. I constantly returned to smoking whenever I attempted to switch to weaker patches. I spent years seeking to quit using patches, achieving short-term victories but failing to eliminate my addiction entirely.
Ultimately, it wasn’t until I abandoned the patches and decided to quit cold turkey that I successfully maintained my commitment. While nicotine patches can be beneficial for some, it’s crucial to recognize when they’re not working and to move on to other solutions sooner.
Chapter 2: The Temptation to Relapse
Recently, I’ve been grappling with thoughts about returning to smoking, despite being three years smoke-free. I no longer experience intense cravings, but I’ve found myself fantasizing about smoking again.
Just the other day, I pondered whether enough time had passed since I quit to enjoy a cigar occasionally. I imagined being able to smoke one cigar weekly without reverting to cigarettes. This line of thinking is quite dangerous; my history shows that smoking cigars would likely lead me back to cigarettes, propelling me back into my previous pack-a-day habit faster than before.
The most straightforward way to stay smoke-free is simply to remain smoke-free. I fought hard to quit smoking, and I refuse to undermine my progress after three years without nicotine.
If you're facing challenges in quitting smoking, I hope my experiences will help you avoid making similar mistakes. Perhaps they will even prevent you from starting a smoking habit altogether.
Quitting cigarettes was undoubtedly one of the most challenging endeavors of my life, but the rewards have been tremendous. I’ve saved money, improved my physical fitness, and made my family proud.
Best of luck to anyone trying to quit smoking! It may seem insurmountable, but you absolutely can achieve it!
The first video, "What is the Single Best Thing You Can Do to Quit Smoking?" discusses effective strategies for overcoming nicotine addiction.
The second video, "I stopped smoking all day after 7 years.. (1 Year Later)," shares a personal story of quitting smoking and the journey that followed.
About Benya Clark: I’m a lawyer turned writer, focusing on addiction, mental health, and more. Don’t miss my weekly newsletter featuring essays on sobriety.