I smoked 17 years, from the final grade of the school. And I did not even think about quitting: why? But having celebrated the 33rd birthday, suddenly I realized that I was just sick of being dependent on nicotine.
I did not count on my will power, I never believed in chewing gum plasters.
And how do you quit? The idea came by accident: a friend had worn glasses all her life, and at the age of 27 she decided to pierce her ears. Shortly thereafter, vision was so improved that glasses were not needed. The oculist explained this by the effect of reflexotherapy: the puncture hit the active point on the earlobe. After this incident, I decided: I'll quit smoking only to the acupuncturist. The easiest way to quit smoking is to hate cigarettes.
Slowly but surely
After studying the theory, I realized that there are two easiest ways to quit smoking. The first is to do everything in one session: came, pricked - and is free. The other - from seven to fourteen sessions of exposure to needles to bioactive points. The needle therapist on the Internet forum explained: the first way is for lazy and rarely smokers who can not get together and make a strong-willed effort. The dependence of such smokers is not very strong, the session of reflexotherapy gives a powerful push, which is not enough. But the second way is for those who have long ceased to control the number of cigarettes per day, understands that health is deteriorating, and is ready to act - only it does not work out in any way. My case!
Formal beginning
The first thing the doctor found out was whether I had any contraindications (acute infections and exacerbated chronic diseases, blood diseases, tumors). I filled in the questionnaire: weight, height, age, how much I smoke per day, whether I tried to quit earlier.
After studying my answers, the doctor warned: most likely, I need 5 sessions. But deep down I was not at all sure that I would have enough patience for the whole course. So I decided to pay separately. They told me in detail what they were going to do with me, and I signed a medical services agreement.
Very scary movie
At the first session - with a psychotherapist - I went, looking forward to an educational lecture on the dangers of nicotine addiction. The doctor, a nice middle-aged woman, talked very calmly and affectionately with me, I almost dozed off. But when she closed her eyes, she suddenly offered to watch a movie. Filthy documentary shots flashed on the screen: nicotine in the prepared lungs, tobacco-eaten teeth, metastases in the lungs, the sounds of the morning cough of smokers ... Of course, I knew that smoking is harmful, but I very clearly understood what is happening to my body. After an hour and ten minutes, I already recorded for tomorrow's acupuncture session. Finally, I was warned: 16 hours before the session, I should not smoke.
16 hours of abstinence
I reacted easily to the warning, but as the hour of X approached, the more terrible it became. How can I survive? The session was scheduled for 8.30 in the morning, so that the last puff could be done no later than 16.30 the previous day. Last two hours smoked every 20 minutes. All! It's a long, long evening. I rushed about the apartment, chewed lemon zest, chatted with all the girlfriends on the phone - in short, I did everything to distract myself from thoughts about cigarettes. And at 8.30 am was standing on the doorstep of the office completely undressed, but also did not smoke the prescribed 16 hours.
The performance begins
The doctor showed the package with sterile gold needles, then laid me on the couch and made a general relaxing massage. In the office there is quiet meditative music, everything is very pacifying. To me it is a little terrible, but any skepticism - I perceive a situation very seriously. Needles stick into the wings of the nose and hands. Gradually I begin to doze off.
The doctor twirled the needles - it does not hurt, but it feels like they come to the right depth. It does not bother to relax, 45 minutes of rest and pleasant music - and I'm free until the day after tomorrow.
The first effect
The doctor warned that after the session, I could become uncomfortable with the smell of cigarettes. I did not believe: I always liked the tobacco flavor, I even choose perfume with such notes. On the way to work I got into the cork and opened the window a bit; in the next car they smoked. I felt the smell ... I almost turned right on the seat.
The whole day I tried to stay away from smokers. I wanted to light myself, but not keenly. And when I returned home, I realized that all of my things were soaked in cigarette smoke. I did not feel this before.
Unexpected joy
The next session began with a question of the doctor, whether I smoked in previous days. I answered honestly: I'm holding on! The doctor smiled: "Try, most likely, will not work." But I really wanted to quit and did not risk it. After 1.5 months, when it was sad, I still tried. And it did not! I did a couple of puffs: no sensations at all. No longer experimenting.
Pros and Cons
For several weeks I was attacked by fits of lightness. I sucked citrus candies, when they did not help, I had to endure. It was easier with a headache, it was quickly removed by analgesics.
Worst of all, the appetite that fell after the second session. I ate all the time! Since I do not believe in my willpower, I went to the therapist for suppressing pills. With them, I quickly managed to throw off the collected 4 kg. That's all the minuses, the rest is only pluses. I already forgot that there are so many smells and flavors around! All the receptors seemed to be cleansed: the apples became fragrant, the air fresh, the perfume floral. Smoking very badly spoiled my life, I just did not notice it. And the Chinese needles returned everything to their places.
The second session did not differ from the first: massage and light bites of needles. But on the third unexpectedly it turned out that I no longer needed needles! The doctor found out the nuances of my reactions to cigarette smoke and concluded that I seem to have managed to cope with addiction. So rarely, but it happens: only three procedures - and I said goodbye to cigarettes. I did not dream about inhaling, I did not wake up with a taste of smoke in my mouth, I did not miss smoking at all. But if this happens, warned the doctor, you can come to an unscheduled session and refresh the sensations. While this was not required, but if it happens, I will come without thinking.
What you need to do if you quit smoking
1. Try to refrain from alcohol while you quit smoking. Many people return to the cigarette when they have a drink.
2. Always carry a bottle of water
and periodically drink from there on the throat.
3. Search your home, car and workplace, collect everything that is associated with smoking ashtrays, cigarette lighters, and destroy.
4. Clean your clothes in the dry cleaners to get rid of the smell of tobacco and tobacco smoke.
5. Go to the dental hygienist and perform the procedure for cleaning teeth from the plaque that appeared during smoking.
6. For the same purpose, clean the house thoroughly and in the car, ventilate them well.
7. Eat as much as possible vegetables, fruits and greens. Always carry with yourself one of the above, that you can chew (such a desire will periodically arise).
8. Do not replace one bad habit with another - try not to lean on chocolates, cakes, fast food and other high-calorie foods.
9. Leave at least 20 minutes a day for physical labor or exercise.
10. Believe in yourself.