I'm No Cold Turkey

Well, my first approach to kicking the habit was unsuccessful. It is official: I am no cold turkey. I made it to the three day mark without having one cigarette, but over the weekend I succumbed to the cursed habit and smoked several cigarettes. Having been smoking consistently for almost three years now, it was simply too difficult for me to maintain the will power to quit cigarettes cold turkey. During my three days of tobacco free life, I suffered strongly from the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal. I craved cigarettes intensely and noticed marked, unusually irritable behavior in myself. At night it was difficult for me to fall asleep having not smoked a cigarette all day.

Right now I am at a crossroads and am unsure of my next approach of how to kick the habit. I am in a continual process of researching the techniques and options that exist for quitting. While I have been considering perhaps using Nicorette gum or the patch, these products are extremely expensive and I also read online that the true effectiveness rate of these products is only 7%. Chantix seemed like a perfect remedy but in my previous post I outlined the strong reasoning for why I will not be using this product.

Recently I visited University of Rhode Island Health Services with flu-like symptoms. During my meeting with my doctor, he asked me if I smoked, I said yes, but told him about my battle to quit. He informed me of free clinics held bi-weekly at Health Services that are designed to assist students trying to quit through hypnosis. He told me that he knows for a fact that this has helped many students quit smoking. While I am extremely skeptical about the power of hypnosis, there is one thing that is highly attractive about this potential avenue: It is free. Living off an extremely tight budget here at URI, I simply can't afford products like Nicorette. As I said, I am pretty doubtful about the power of hypnosis, but at this point, I'm willing to try anything. Also, the fact that Health Services would actually take the time to conduct these clinics indicates to me that perhaps it can be an effective remedy. Plus, I've never been hypnotized. Even if it doesn't help me quit smoking, it will be an interesting experience. Sign me up!

Quit Smoking Or Die!

In my last post, I outlined the details of a supposedly revolutionary new quit smoking-drug called Chantix. From my initial research on the products, it seems that Chantix is too good to be true. Simply take a pill everyday, and within a few months nicotine and cigarettes will no longer be a necessary part of your daily routine. However, after doing further research, I uncovered some extremely troubling details about common side effects that have been discovered to arise from taking Chantix.

Startling numbers of Chantix users have reported suicidal/depressive thoughts in association with Chantix. The frequency of these adverse reactions have been so high that the FDA has forced Pfizer, the drug company that produces Chantix, to place a new warning label on the drug. In an FDA News Release issued on July 1st, 2009, the FDA "announced that it is requiring manufacturers to put a Boxed Warning on the prescribing information for the smoking cessation drugs Chantix (varenicline) and Zyban (bupropion). The warning will highlight the risk of serious mental health events including changes in behavior, depressed mood, hostility, and suicidal thoughts when taking these drugs." (From http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm170100.htm).

This particular warning being placed on Chantix is the strongest warning that can be placed upon a prescription medication. Hundreds of lawsuits have been filed in connection with this issue against Pfizer, as it has been alleged that Pfizer was negligent in informing the public about the potentially extremely dangerous side effects that come with taking their product. Even more alarming are the statistics of such behaviors related to taking Chantix:

Between May 2006 and December 2007, the FDA received the following serious adverse event reports associated with the use of Chantix:227 reports of suicidal acts, thoughts or behavior397 cases of possible psychosis525 reports of hostility or aggression
(From http://www.youhavealawyer.com/chantix/chantix-suicide.html)

As I continued to search the internet for information about the effectiveness and results of Chantix, I became increasingly turned off from these supposedly life changing medication as the reactions to the drug I was reading about were overwhelmingly negative. I found myself sifting over and over through accounts by people who had tried Chantix and were soon bombarded with depression, suicidal thoughts, nightmares, and hallucinations. Perhaps the most interesting and troubling account I read was here: http://nymag.com/news/features/43892/index2.html. This is one man's account of his experience on Chantix, and how it transformed him from a normal guy just looking to quit smoking to a borderline psychotic main whose brain was flooded with irrational, uncharacteristic, and self-destructive thoughts.

While I did come across a somewhat substantial number of accounts of the drugs success, Accounts of ineffectiveness and extreme negative side effects of this drug outweighed the potential benefits it may hold. Furthermore, the fact that this drug is so new and experimental in its nature also furthers my beliefs that these troubling side effects are legitimate and real.

When I first read about Chantix, I was seriously considering pursuing it as an option to help me rid myself of my nicotine. But after doing substantial research about the product, the potential dangers of it far outweigh its potential effectiveness. As I continue in my quest of conquering nicotine addiction, I can assure you I will not be using Chantix as a potential aid.

Take A Pill and Never Smoke Again!

Chantix, a drug produced by Pfizer, is supposedly a revolutionary new drug that leads unprecedented success in quitting smoking. While I am ready to dive head first into the Cold Turkey approach, I decided to research this new drug and see what its all about.

I began by checking out the Chantix website: http://www.chantix.com/index.aspx. Right off the bat, I liked the Chantix approach to quitting smoking, as it is designed to address both the physical and behavioural components that come with nicotine addiction. Chantix addresses the phsycial element by reducing urges for nicotine, while the "GETQUIT" Support plan is designed to "help you think and act like a quitter." While I have no idea what that means, I like the fact that the product adresses the behavioral compenent of nicotine addiction, which I feel is frequently overlooked.

Chantix is different than other anti-nicotine products because firstly it is a pill. I have never heard of a quit-smoking product that comes in pill-form. Secondly, it is different because it contains no nicotine. Products like nicorette gum/the patch contain nicotine and work by gradually weening a person off of the substance. Chantix works differently.

When you smoke, the nicotine you inhale attaches to receptors in your brain. These receptors then trigger a release of dopamine, which causes a brief sensation of pleasure. Nicotine addiction occurs when the body craves and wants to create this chemical sensation repeatedly. Chantix targets these nicotine receptors and blocks their ability to intake nicotine. This, in turn, prevents the consequent dopamine reaction the the body from occuring, which is the source of the addiction.

Wow! Chantix sounds great! Why would anyone ever try any other method to quitting when this is so easy. In my next post I will discuss why this is far from true, and expose the dark side of Chantix as a quit-smoking remedy.

No More Butts

As I dive head first into my monumental personal challenge of quitting smoking, I decided that I would try the most traditional and straight forward approach out there first: Cold Turkey Style. No more cigarettes, straight up, no matter what, with no chemical or product-driven assistance. As I blog about the different approaches I see to quitting smoking, I will begin by laying out what I see to be the PROS and the CONS of each approach before documenting my personal experience with each approach if I choose to try it out. Here are the PROS and CONS that I see with the "Cold Turkey" approach to KO'ing a deadly habit:

PROS

1. Cost- Efficient: Prices of quit-smoking products like Nicorette and the patch are out of this world expensive. As a college student living off campus without a meal plan, I live on a low budget that requires enough money for a full stomach of food and Keystone Light. The Cold Turkey approach would mesh perfectly with my financial situation.


Cigarettes= $$



2. Sense of Personal Accomplishment- The sense of personal accomplishment would be tremendous if I could give up cigarettes cold turkey style. To conquer such a daunting personal challenge of completely nullifying an addiction that has become an integral part of my day to day life would make me feel amazing about myself, and would truly attest to my personal willpower.

3. Bragging Rights- In an environment where I am surrounded by fellow smokers, it would be wonderful to be able to boast about my strength over a substance they will all still succumb to.

CONS

1. Pain- I think the "CONS" aspect of the Cold Turkey can be roped into one, general, enormous Con. The Cold Turkey approach will be difficult to the point where it will be painful. The cravings and withdrawal symptoms of quitting will be devastating. In the prime of my cigarette smoking career, I struggled going a few hours without a cigarette. How the hell am I going to go FOREVER without one? Cigarettes are habitually addicting as well. Certain behaviors and actions that occur in my life go hand-in-hand with a cigarette. Before I go to class in the morning, after I eat a meal, in between classes, when I'm driving in the car, the list goes on and on. These are all activities that have become permanently associated with smoking for me.


We will see how I do with the cold turkey approach. While quitting this way would be incredibly rewarding, I am unsure if I have the willpower to conquer my addiction in such a drastic manner. Today marks Day 1 of being a Cold turkey. I hear once you make it over the "Three Day Hump" of not smoking the rest is a breeze. Let's hope I make it that far.