the patch-day 17

I don't really have much to offer on this subject. Nothing urgent atleast. It has been ten days since I last tasted the sweet taste of a cigarette and the confidence I mentioned in my last update hasn't proven, yet, to be unfounded.

The "sweet taste", as described above, is totally not the case. The memory of that last taste is as much a factor in keeping me away from cigarettes as is my own internal will to be rid of them. I don't really like the taste, the feeling in my throat or the aftertaste. The illusion of satisfaction of taking a haul on a cigarette is just that, an illusion.

At this point I am able to compare my experience with past efforts to quit. First and foremost is attitude. I really want to stop and I think that this one factor, beyond all others, is the one that really drives me now. I know that I will one day be an ex-smoker and all the healthier for it.

A second point is that the crutch or mechanism for dealing with withdrawl from nicotine needs to be effective. I tried Zyban for awhile a number of years ago. Although the drug initially made me lose interest in it I eventually picked up smoking again. It was almost a false sense of security. Additionally, I don't remember it being packaged with nearly as extensive guidance for help beyond merely taking the drug. "To be used in conjunction with will power" or something to that effect was the offered advice.   posted by jmd ¶ Wednesday, June 16, 2004