Charles vs. Smoking
When the final bell rang to end the long school day I expected, as usual, that it was time to go about enjoying life in the free world. The walk home was spent thinking of all the possibilities the evening would hold. However, upon entering the door at the house it was immediately obvious that this would be a day that was far from the usual. There sat many of my closest family members, who all had a look of complete sadness on their face. It was obvious to me that I was about to be hit with horrible news. I took a seat and prepared emotionally for what I was about to hear. My father was informing the family that he had been to the doctor and received horrible news. He was informed that he had larynx cancer and possibly wasn’t far from death. Dad explained the procedures that were about to take place and the risks that were associated with each. He then took the opportunity to give a lecture to everyone there about smoking. Dad had smoked nearly all his life and at age 60 that meant a long time.
For the next few years of my life the temptation to smoke was easy to resist. All I had to do was sit and think about the horrible treatment and eventual surgery that resulted in my dad losing his voice box. However, peer pressure would eventually take over. The American Cancer Society says that about 20% of high school students smoke cigarettes. I honestly believe it was at a higher level when I was in high school. Most of my friends smoked and it was common to see several students sneaking to the rear of the school at lunch to smoke. At age 15 I finally caved in started my career as a smoker. I became one of the estimated 3050 people who begin smoking each day and the 46.6 million who currently smoke (CDC).
As an adult smoker I have tried to quit several times. I find it amazing how something as small as a cigarette can have that much control of one’s life. I have spent countless hours trying to find that perfect product that will assist in the process. I have tried “cold turkey” but that is next to impossible for me. I would break out in sweats, shake uncontrollably, and all I could do was think about smoking. Even after several failed attempts with this method it seems that I still try it about once a year. I have no joined the nearly 70% of smokers that would like to kick the nasty habit (CDC).
I have gone on to try nearly every over the counter product on the market. They all had the same effect on me. At first they would work great but as the time went on it would get tougher and tougher to deal with the desire to smoke. It seems that the need to smoke is often triggered by stressors. I know personally that when I am stressed I smoke much more than when I am not. However studies suggest that cigarette smoking has the complete opposite effect. Smoking actually increases stress levels in the long run. The feeling of calmness stems from the fact the cigarette is relieving the withdrawal symptoms (O’Conner D.5).
After several recommendations from friends I then tried the prescription drug Chantex. This was another failure for me because I am horrible at taking medication. In my life I work crazy hours and it was next to impossible to get on a schedule taking medicine. The program allows you to smoke for two weeks while taking the pills. At the end of the two weeks you are supposed to stop smoking. I personally made it two days following my quit date. However I have heard of huge success rates with the program. I will potentially give this method a try later in life when things seem to be a bit more settled.
There are also various non-nicotine type therapies out there. I have thought of trying the Hypnotism method. I had a friend try this once and he stated that he went 8 hours without smoking. The cost of the session was 125.00 and he felt that is was a mere rip off. In a journal written by Anahad O’Conner in the New York Times he stated that “hypnosis seems to be about as effective as many other techniques, and that means not very, research suggests”(O’Conner 5) This does not give me much faith in the program. However, if it would work it would be a small price to pay.
I often ask myself many questions about my smoking addiction. It is hard to understand why I would smoke after seeing what my father went through and the negative effects it had on my family. I also wonder why I would chance the same effects on myself or my children. Also there is the issue of second hand smoke and what my habit is doing to those around me. These thoughts weigh heavy on my mind, however I still smoke. I have the willpower and the money to purchase the aids, yet I still can’t seem to conquer this demon that has possessed me for the past 15 years. The Center for Disease Control has many different methods of quitting listed on their website. I guess I will have to just keep trying until something finally works for me. I will not give up.