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About Michael Dean
Expertise
Can answer
General information on tobacco addiction, and resources for quitting.
Information on current cancer research and the health effects of tobacco.
The risk of smoking for lung cancer and other cancers, as well as SIDS, heart disease, and vision loss.
The best place to start is 1-800-QUIT-NOW
Cannot answer
Specific medical questions
Experience
Cancer Researcher for over 20 years
Author of the book "Empty Cribs-The impact of smoking on child health" www.artsciencepub.com.
Author of over 200 scientific articles on cancer, genetics and human disease.
Multiple interviews in print, TV and radio media.
Organizations
American Association for Cancer Research
American Association of Human Genetics
Publications
Scientific journals (Science, Nature, NE Journal Medicine, etc.)
Scientific American, Discovery Medicine, Nature Reviews in Cancer
Education/Credentials
PhD. in Biochemistry from Boston University School of Medicine
Awards and Honors
Young Investigator award-American Association of Cancer Research
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You are here: Experts > Health/Fitness > Smoking Cessation > Quitting Smoking > quitting smoking
Expert: Michael Dean
Date: 8/30/2008
Subject: quitting smoking
Question
QUESTION: Hi Mike,
well, today is day 10 since my quit and the urdge to smoke is pretty much constant; granted not as tortuous as days 1,2,3.
using 4mg patch last couple of days and last night began to supplement w/nicotene inhaler...for me this is a stop-gap for now as can't see feeding myself nicotene forever.
I have been following a quit forum based on chantix and the people there are using it and claim good results....many long term smokers claim it solely responsible for their quit success....I have yet to try it but plan on it and perhaps in conjunction w/hypnosis; there is a good adiction hypnotist of valid reputation where I live.
i keep telling myself that if I buy cigs, I will be right back where I started...AND...where I started is wanting to be where I am today...battling anguish and ACTUALLY and finally trying to stop.
I am trying to convince myself that I'd rather be a non -smoker with an occasional? urdge to smoke than a chronic smoker with a constant urdge to quit!!.
So, day 10...300 cigs less in my lungs so far....and if somehow I can hit day 30, well that amounts to about ONE THOUSAND less cigs messing up my lungs...and if by miracle I hit one year, well that's TEN THOUSAND !! cigs that never blessed me with their tar.
So, ok...we have 2 things happening here:
1) nicotene dependency...the drug part I fully understand.
2) But then you speak of the psychological portion...what is that all about?
Right now as I write this I just began to think about a nice thick DQ blueberry milkshake...something I don't often do..but the desire to drive over and get one is momentarily overwhelmimg me....but I don't live with this chronic desire...
In your opinion, why does a smoker live with chronic desire?
AND do succesful long term quitters battle chronic desire ceaslessly? OR is there a point reached when it is replaced with simply no desire?
In my own case there was a time when marijuana, and following that rye whiskey overwhelmed me...today, I not only easily say no to them but can really say that I detest them and hate myself for once being prey to their addictive properties.I have no pleasant memories attributable to those days...just a feeling of waste and hate.
Can this hold tru for cigarretes...or is that addiction somehow different from all others??
Catch ya later...I NEED a milkshake and a couple of mushroom burgers....
Opinion appreciated..Ian
ANSWER: Ian,
Glad to hear you are hanging in there. If DQ does it for you, go for it!!
Nicotine stimulates something called the reward pathway. This is the brains way of reinforcing you to do some thing that is normally good for you, such as eating when you are hungry, drinking when thirsty, having sex, etc.
So when you smoke you begin to associate everything about it with pleasure. The taste, smell, places you are at, drinking coffee, or what ever.
The physical part of the nicotine hook disappears pretty quickly, but your brain still seeks that reward. The relief from the craving.
I have heard some smokers they desire cigarettes the rest of their life. But the majority look back in complete disgust (and offer become the most rabid anti-smokers).
Yes I have heard good things about the Chantix program so I do recommend it.
Take it one at a time!
Mike
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Hi Mike,
Looks like I should hit the library and get a book or two on understanding addiction...and order up the allen carr book at the same time.
Well today is day 12 and tonight I started on the Chantix (here they call it Champix).....and am very interested in finding out for myself how it will work for me.
I hope the stuff works out because nicotene substitutes aren't working out too well...quite to the contrary I think 'cause they seem to be causing an urdge for more nicotene....hence reinforcing the cravings rather than ridding them...
Meantime, focusing on the numbers is helping me a lot from breaking down and buying smokes...every day is 30 or so fewer...today means 360 min. unsmoked for me..man the numbers add up quick...
Thanks for your insight...will keep you posted on my chantix results if you like...
best regards, Ian
Answer
Hi Ian,
Yes addiction is a complicated thing. And I am no expert.
Definitely let me know how the Chantix/Champix goes. The only complaint I have heard are GI problems in some people, but hopefully not you.
Yes every day is more unsmoked butts and more of your health come back. If you can do this think of what else you can accomplish?!?!?!
Mike
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