The patches and gum would only get me to cut down, but not quit.
Eventually, they wouldn't even get me to cut down, and I'd smoke just as
much with the patch as without it. So, it made me more hooked on
nicotine too. The only reason I went back to the patch when I went to
the hypnotist was because he recommended I use either the patch or gum
in conjunction with the hypnosis.
I decided to try hypnosis 'cause I figured I had nothing to lose (except
cash), and was willing to try anything at that point. I've been
watching my mother suffer from worsening emphysema over the last few
years, and saw my future. I knew I had to do something. It took five
sessions before I actually stopped smoking, and a few follow-up sessions
to stay on track. I have one more scheduled, and I don't feel I'll need
any more.
Mint toothpicks are a good idea. I chomp on suckers, especially the
ones with the plastic sticks, because I can chew on the stick for a
couple hours. I've also begun eating a lot of fruit (sweet, lo-cal,
something to stick in my mouth - no jokes, please), to avoid the dreaded
weight gain.
Bike rides are good, but it's too stressful in my area - too much
traffic around the house. Dragging the dog out for a brisk walk
accomplishes a similar goal.
-NORY
Don't assume that because you have found one problem, you have found the
ONLY problem.
'71 5-speed Midget (my new baby)
'74 Midget & '71 parts car
'94 Ford Ranger
'86 Ford Escort
'89 Ford Probe
'96 North American Shepherd
'94 Tigger Cat/Wheel Chock
'98 White Cat/Wheel Chock #2 (Lucy Fur)
Car pages and other stuff:
http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Way/9101
Home Improvement Homepage:
http://www.angelfire.com/ny/nory
NEW Legal / Law Enforcement Page:
http://members.tripod.com/~nory
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Congrats! for me it was $150 in hypnosis and the ocassional mint toothpick
to gnaw on. Tried the patch, tried the gum, they never worked for me, they
actually made me *more* dependent on nicotine. Hypnosis was a breeze, even
though I was skeptical for the most part.
Lately I've been putting in 15 miles every morning on my mountain bike
riding the trails around here. Definately helps with both the stress and
the detox.
Take care,
Robert
At 10:31 AM -0400 9/22/98, Nory wrote:
>Hey, me too! I quit August 9th (thanks to a combination of Nicoderm CQ
>and $300 worth of hynosis).
>
>Maybe we could start an ex-smoking, stressed-out, LBC owners club. Talk
>about road rage......
>
>-NORY
>
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