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With Mayo Clinic behavioral counselor Jennifer A. Kern, M.S., C.T.T.S.

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June 7, 2008

Welcome to our new tobacco blog

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By Jennifer A. Kern, M.S., C.T.T.S.

Welcome to our new tobacco blog!

As a tobacco cessation counselor, I frequently hear people say "I just don't have enough will power — if I were stronger I could quit." The feeling associated with this thought is very real, but the truth is that most people cannot just put down the cigarette or step away from the tin of chewing tobacco. This is because we are talking about a real physiological and psychological addiction to nicotine. The word addiction in the English language originates from the Latin root "addictus" which means "to devote" or "to yield." In Dutch, the word for addiction is "verslaving" which directly translates to "enslavement." I think this conveys what most tobacco users experience in their relationship with smoking or smokeless tobacco.

People generally try smoking or using other forms of tobacco during adolescence. What they don't realize at the time is just how addictive tobacco products are and how tough it will be to stop later in life. They think, "I can quit anytime I want," or "I'll only smoke while I'm in my 20s." Of those who experiment with tobacco, approximately 90 percent will become addicted. Once their personally-appointed grace period passes they realize quitting is not as easy as they had anticipated. What they find instead is that they are literally enslaved.

My hat is off to anyone who has overcome or is striving to overcome an addiction, but especially to tobacco. A nicotine addiction is comparable in strength to a cocaine or heroine addiction, and confronting it is one of the greatest challenges many people will face in their lives. So, it is not just a "bad habit" we are talking about. This is a common misconception however, since tobacco products are both legal and easily accessible. In reality, breaking free from tobacco takes incredible courage and frequently requires a tremendous mental, emotional and financial investment. The result of these efforts, however, can mean taking back your life!

What about you? Are you or a loved one struggling with a tobacco addiction? Have you tried to quit over and over again and feel like all you're getting good at is failing? Don't be discouraged. Dealing with addiction is a very complex task, and getting proper treatment is the first step to regaining control and overcoming this powerful force.

In this blog I will discuss a myriad of issues that come into play when addressing nicotine addiction and working toward a tobacco-free life. I'm excited about the opportunity to connect with you through this forum, and I look forward to reading your responses and "hearing" your personal stories.

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153 comments posted

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January 3, 2009 2:39 p.m.

Sara-I read up on Chantix and I hear that you are not suppose to quit suddenly. That is not the instructions that they give doctors but people on Chantix say when they stopped suddenly it was like they never quit, the urges were so strong. You will need to wean yourself off of it slowly.

- Anonymous

December 24, 2008 11:19 p.m.

Hi, I am on Chantix but am trying to wean off of it. I dont smoke or even want to anymore. I have not smoked since Novemeber 29th. But recently I have been having joint pain, headaches, digestive problems and am bloated very bad. I called my Dr to ask about weaning off of it and they said you dont. You take it the full 12 weeks then stop. I have been reading alot about how it effects dopamine in the brain and that damage can be lasting of the side effects and so on. Today I took only 1/2mg in the morning and by late afternoon was real irritable. Please..if anyone has any knowledge or advise on weaning off of this...please help. Merry Christmas !( I am awake at this early hour because I can't sleep~another side effect).

- Sara

December 10, 2008 4:08 p.m.

Hi everyone, I thought I would check in to say that I am still smoke free and It's been over 4 months. I am really SHOCKED that I have had no slip-ups and I am so proud. I was a die hard smoker and I so enjoyed it. I still from time to time have a real bad urge but it passes with a few moments and then I forget again. My husband still smokes and I must say it has helped me through all the really tuff times just to smell it sooths me. I have gained some weight and I am not happy with that but Dr. says I don't look un-healthy anymore and hubby says I finally have junk in my trunk hee, hee. I don't smoke and that is what matters so stick with it everybody and be strong, remember in time this to will pass. Good Luck. Bye for now.

- Terri

November 30, 2008 4:08 a.m.

In answer to Boo. I am 71 and have smoked since I was 12. I have arthritis is every joint imaginable, degenerative disc disease, and irritible bowel syndrom. I am in a bad marraige, but after 48 years I cannot afford to get out. Our finances are far too co-mingled. I think you and I both share the desire to quit, but we both use it to cover stress, pain, and lonliness. I like to smoke. I like the feeling it gives me, but I have added a lung and breathing problems to those I talked about previously. Yes, I am smoking as I type this.

- nell

November 26, 2008 12:57 p.m.

I used only to smoke when drinking at parties. Over the years a "became" an alcoholic. Drinking at home alone etc. - not smoking. I joined AA 2 years ago and haven't looked back since HOWEVER, I now smoke everyday - for the past year. Am told that I has substituted for alcohol and not to stop smoking. Am thinking of 12 stepping to stop smoking but am scared.

- Gail

November 20, 2008 12:28 p.m.

I'm looking for a possible remedy for the awful skin irritation I get from the trans-dermal patch. Each one leaves a raised blotch that is itchy and irritating for up to two weeks. Any ideas other than Benadryl salve would be appreciated.

- david

November 13, 2008 5:35 p.m.

also someone else said they felt very sadness for sometimes hours on end well i am or consider myself an alpha male and i can say that i also had these emotions. they should go away by the 3 or 4 month its nothing serious but you just feel hopeless sometimes and really wanting a smoke it will pass so dont worry.

- russell

November 13, 2008 5:31 p.m.

well i can proudly say i have been off cigs for 7 months 14 days now. i had smoked for 22 years and menthols at that very bad. but thanks to the mayo clinic and there program i have been able to quit. what i found for me was starting off with 2 21mg patches plus 2 mg gum to supplement it. seems like alot but i did fine and stayed in contact with my doctor in case something went wrong. but with that much nicotine it didnt take as long to get the satisfaction of nicotine. but after 2 weeks drop down to a 21 and 14 mg patch with 4 mg gum for another 2 weeks then 14mg for 2 vweeks then 7 mg and thats all you should be on a path of healthenessby then. the worse is i have dreams still about smoking very crazy but i realize that i actually get mad with myself when i smoke in a dream. but im going one day at a time and most days dont even think of smoking or remember smoking so for all who are trying still good luck hang in there and im going to keep fighting myself

- russell

November 12, 2008 2:06 a.m.

After trying all on offer for quitting its 14 months now that I stopped with your help and Chantix.{50 sigs daily for 46 years}.I still sometime miss it but it pases very quick.

- Glafkos

November 3, 2008 12:02 a.m.

I am really glad that I found this site. I am really interested in hearing from others who took Chantix and overcame the "hopelessness and joylessness". I have now been off Chantix for almost 30 days. I feel doing a lot better, I no longer want to die and I am no longer paranoid, that my husband is going to leave me and take my 2 1/2 year old daughter away from me because I am crazy. Compared to other stories about people killing themselves while on the meds. and being hospitilized, I feel very lucky to have come back from the brink. I am now going back to basics, I am trying to drink a lot of water, eat healthly, and try to sleep(I am only averaging 3 1/2 hours per day). I am really reluctant to take anything, even vitamins as I am not sure what lingering issues I am going to have. I do have an appt. with the Dr. who prescribed my medicine, on November 13, 2008, to discuss what occurred between Sept. 08 and when I finished the Chantix RX on October 10, 2008. I am concerned about kidney and liver damage.If anyone has information about the lingering effects of Chantix .

- Jen