How Addictive is Nicotine?

[John R. Polito]

My name is John and I teach nicotine cessation both online and at free live clinic programs. I'm making this post in hopes of reaching law enforcement officers dependent upon nicotine. The message is simple. When it comes to breaking free, knowledge is power!

The nicotine gum taught us how to chew slowly, the nicotine patch taught us the value of hairless skin and how to rip it off, Zyban and Wellbutrin came with instructions for taking a pill, the acupuncturist let us feel needles, the hypnotist showed us how to relax for a day or two, others peddling the latest and greatest quick fix magic cure showed us how stupid we were for giving them our money, and each ignorant cold turkey attempt showed us just how ignorant we really were when it comes to battling nicotine!

I have one question. During which quit attempt did you take the time to study and master the basic core principles underlying your chemical dependency upon nicotine? You know plenty about law enforcement but how much do you actually know about quitting?

I've put together a little online quitting quiz (21 questions) that will test your knowledge of quitting and let you know where you stand. I leave you with a dozen links that I pray you'll find empowering!

1. WhyQuit's Quit Quiz

2. Nicotine Addiction 101

3. Have you met Bryan and his son Bryan, Jr.?

4. What will your family say?

5. Nicodemon's Lies

6. Meet Noni

7. Joel's Library

8. The First 72 Hours of Quitting

9. Meet Sean Marsee

10. WhyQuit?

11. The ALA's Wall of Remembrance

12. Freedom

Remember, none of us are stronger than nicotine but then nicotine has an I.Q. of zero! Please share the above links with other smoking officers and smokers you love. They may want to quit badly but I seriously doubt that they've ever actually spent even one hour of their life studying the mechanics of quitting.

Breathe deep, hug hard, live long!

John

[Don]

[Iacocca]

Interesting that someone took the time to post something like that in here. I suppose it is effective.

Wellbutrin worked for me two and a half years ago when I quit. Haven't gone back since, and feel great about it still for the little effort it took (in my opinion of course)

For those of you who haven't tried it yet, I can certainly vouch for it along with a little willpower.

Thanks John!

[kateykakes]

I quit cold turkey. It's been years since I've smoked and never had the desire to go back to it - until today. I came this close <pinches fingers together> to bumming a smoke and lighting up. Stress has really been getting to me. I did NOT have the cigarette though and I'm glad I didn't.

[Iacocca]

I know that feeling. It took me a good year to cut it out completely when I went to the bars. I had just turned legal drinking age when I quit, and frequented the bars until the novelty wore off Coffee I found was another big problem to contend with for encouraging cravings.

Good for you today for not lighting up, non-smokers have trouble understanding this concept but it is true, it can be really hard sometimes.

[kateykakes]

Iacocca,

I never liked smoking, even when I did it. I hated how it made my clothes smell, hated it in my hair, I didn't want to to kiss anyone because I thought I would taste like an ashtray...I hated the smoke from cigarettes period. I never got any pleasure out of it whatsoever. Yup, I really am glad I didn't light up tody. All those nasty things might have returned.

[SGT Dave]

kk-

Gas is very high right now...don't make me come up there and kick your a**.

Just say no.

[TexReserve]

I quit smoking cold turkey about 17 years ago when the doctor told me that if I wanted to keep breathing, I needed to quit smoking. It was easy. Not really, I just substituted chewing tobacco for cigarettes. Then went from chewing tobacco to snuff. Finally wised up about 5 years ago and quit all tobacco products. If you have ever had the unpleasant opportunity to watch someone die of lung cancer and see them struggle for their last breath, I think you would never light up another one. I know I won't.

However, right now I would kick some *** for a dip of good old Copenhagen, but it ain't gonna happen, cause I don't want to get hooked again on nicotine, just too hard of a habit to break.

It can be done, you just have to set your mind to it.

[Mike Tx]

I quit cold turkey 10 years ago.

As far as the patch, roll it up and smoke it.

As far as weight gain and the patch, if you put the patch over your mouth, it is most effective.

[John R. Polito]

For KateyKakes

The Smoker's Vow

By Joel Spitzer

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To be said just before taking your first puff after having quit for any appreciable period of time.
-------------------------------------------

With this puff I enslave myself
to a lifetime of addiction.
While I can

[Mike Tx]

Smoke smoke smoke that cigarette! Puff puff puff until you puff yourself to death!

Tell Saint Peter at the golden gate that you hate make him wait, but you've just gotta have another cigarette!

[Don]

My brother, a lifelong smoker, died from lung cancer. Right now a friend of ours (my wife and I) is dying from lung cancer.

I've quit smoking half a dozen times and always gone back to it. The problem is, even though I know I should NOT smoke, I love my cigars.

[Mitzi]

Well, my cousin is dying of lung cancer and she never smoked a day in her life. Neither have I cept for one time. I think what made me not smoke was my Dad. He used to smoke but had to quit because of heart problems.
I was young, forget how young, when I became curious about his cigarettes. So, he gave me one and told me to smoke it. I took a few puffs then got so sick, I barfed.
My husband has never smoked either. My son smoked in high schol (he doesn't know I knew) but decided just to quit I guess. Haven't seen him with one for 10 years and never smell smoke on him. I wish I had his will power. I LOVE chocolate but can have mo more, cause of diabetes. I miss my Milky Ways! But, my son can take one bite of a candy bar and put the rest in the fridge! I'd finish the whole thing and go searching for more! lol

[kateykakes]

John,

That was very eye opening. Thank you.


Dave,

LOL, no worries. I promise, no cigarettes!

[Royce]

My fathers a smoker I sure wish he would kick the habit.