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Day 60: The final drag (and thank yous)
One of the most humbling moments of one’s life is admitting an addiction.
In essence, it’s revealing to your loved ones that something — some inanimate substance — has taken control over your life and well-being and you’re helpless to stop it alone. But it’s the most crucial step to finding a place within yourself that is greater than you ever imagined as a user.
I’ve never been one for the hard stuff — with an addictive personality designated by genetics, I know I could get hooked on anything I touch. But it was curiosity at 13 years old that led me to cigarettes, and only after my step-father died from COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) did I realize I needed to address my problem and end it for good.
On this forum, I decided to document all of my trials, triumphs and plentiful pitfalls in hopes that it might help someone else break free from their own habits. It wasn’t easy. Some days were more than miserable and I still wonder how I retained any friends through that first month. But 60 days later, I finally feel like I’ve broken free.
I want to offer my most sincere thank yous to every single person who sent e-mails or left encouraging comments. I started this to share my experience, and to show people that they, too, could drop the habit after if they could bear through a few bad weeks. Knowing I opened discussion and support for even a few people is always worth it, despite the expected criticism and negativity.
And an enormous thank you to my friends and poor, poor boyfriend who kept an eye on me during weekends, or even snagged cigarettes out of my fingers during those rough nights.
It is never, ever, too late to stop whatever has control of your life. Drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, gambling, even eating disorders can become serious addictions but they can all end with a little support and a lot of determination.
Good luck to you all on many, many long, smokeless years!
XOXO,
Kristin
PS: In the picture I am smoking a cigarette — not chewing gum — but I can understand the confusion.
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