After 30 years, I've been quit for 2 months now with the help of a new drug out by Phizer called "Chantix". It was designed specifically for smokers - it works on the same nicotine receptors as cigarettes do - but itself is not addictive. I will say that many days I felt HOPELESS to ever be able to quit the nasty weed. I went thru all the mental conflicts of why do I smoke, blah-blah. What I finally found true for me was 70% of smoking was just HABIT...the oral habit, taking breaks with a smoke, after meals, driving in the car, wasting time...it was all just HABIT. Habits can be broken and replaced with new things. The 30% was the nicotine/drug aspect that tries to keep you in the physical addiction cycle and that can be a tough one...but the Chantix got me over the hump and past it...then it was just dealing with the habit aspect. The cost of it for one-month supply was $100 cash at Costco (anyone can buy meds at Costco/Sams Club by law) and that was $20 cheaper than Walmart/Kmart.
I'll admit the MAIN THING that made me quit was waking up in the morning my throat hurt to an alarming degree and that scared me and made it a neccessity to quit. I then realized that the smoking is really doing NOTHING positive for me..a little buzz or relax..then you actually get more nervous and its back on the daily nicotine treadmill..like a squirrel in a cage. Also I have relatives who had quit 2-3 pack a day habits and my uncle told me "I quit and dont even hardly think about it anymore".
Lastly, there's the aspect most people experience of "hanging on" till the nictoine cravings (hopefully) will go away OR a different approach of being pro-active with the smoking urges. I didn't follow this program exactly but the concept helped me to be pro-active...my main thing was I carried a straw for about a week to substitute for the oral habit and sucked in oxygen. Not crazily, but just when I needed. Now I rarely even think about a cig..once in a while but I really DECIDED that was it..game was over..I'm quitting and done with it. Here's the website with the pro-active method
cognitivequitting™.
Chantix Pfizer Media Center - News Releases Chantix Helps Smokers Kick Habit More Evidence Chantix Helps Smokers Quit - Lungs: pulmonary and respiratory health and medical information produced by doctors Chantix Vs Zyban
Free Quiteasy ebook - good free book
http://www.jazzbooks.com/miva/documents/quiteasy.pdf
There's a Chantix user group at Quitnet.com, amessage board for Chantix users. To get to there, go to quitnet.com, register, login, community, clubs, search for chantix.
Group comments:
1) In July, my dr. gave me the first month sample pack and I can now say that I have been smokefree for 16 days with very few side effects. Sure, I still have the craves but I am not putting nicotine in my system. Check it with your doctor, not a miracle drug because you will still go through all the quitting symptoms but it does make it a lot easier.
2) May I suggest something? I went cold turkey 5 days ago and ironically had a dr.'s appt 2 days later. Gave me a sample prescription of CHANTIX..it's not an antidepressant it's an anti smoking pill you can take for 12+ weeks. It blocks the "good" feeling from the nicotine and makes smoking nasty. Ask your Dr. about it... I think it's the best thing they've come up with. I haven't had any side effects, except some pretty funky dreams! (that's listed as a side effect) Best of luck to you!
3) I am using Chantix as well, and am finishing day 13. I had a hard time at day 5, but am sailing along pretty well now. What side effects are bothering you? I am having trouble sleeping. I have tried to quit using wellbutrin and the patch before, and this is the only thing that has ever worked for me.
4) I live in MN and i was given this three weeks ago by my doctor she said it was just approved. The side effects listed by a post above are correct and i unfortunately expereince them all. (insomnia, vivid dreams, nausea) and headaches. the insomnia for me is caused by the nightmares i get from it since day 4 on the medications i would wake up many times every night from terrible nightmares i still have nightmares but i usually dont remember them so it is manageable after days of 4,5 and 6 . the nausea makes you not want to smoke (or eat as much), i think it is part of their idea to get people to quit. i still have the headaches but i see that is a side efects from increased blood
flow to the brain so i am blaming my quitting on that now instead. i feel funny now but this is from quitting and not my meds. i would recommned this drug to others, i tried wellbutrin before and it did not work or me. this drug is making my quit go smoothly,
and not so bad, i still have moments but for the most part i dont want to smoke.
5) I agree with you. The chantix is making my quit much easier, and I do not really have the urge to smoke. Fortunately for me, I am not experiencing headeaches or nausea. Only the sleep disturbances, and tylenol pm takes care of that. i would recommend this drug to others trying to quit. I haven't even touched a cigarette with my fingers since I quit!!
6) I have been taking it for two weeks now, and it has really helped me. I have smoked 1 1/2 ppd for 35 years, and never thought I would be able to quit. You take it for a week to get your blood level up, and then you stop smoking. You continue taking it for 3 months. And although I have thought about smoking, I have been able to remain smoke free. Just another way to beat this terrible addiction, but is working well
for me!
7) I am using Chantix also. I am in my 4th Smoke-Free Day! Compared to my other quits - I believe this has been the best. I have thought about cigarettes - but no huge cravings. Also, you do have to WANT to quit. Unfortunately, there is no magic pill.
8) The new drug is Chantix and I am on day 9. Yesturday was my actual quit day, you have take it for 7 days before you quit. I feel great. No side effects and have not really had an urge to smoke. Drinking alot of water tho.
But I find stuff to do to take my mind off of it. I like to workout, wash my truck even if it doesn't need it, or talk to some friends. It's getting too expensive, affecting my health and to be honest, I'd rather have $3 gas in my truck instead of smoke in my lungs and out in the air. 
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