Since the author keeps removing comments that aren't favorable to her

Fear of quitting is a powerful force

By Jennifer A. Kern, M.S., C.T.T.S.

One thing that I've seen come up in a number of reader comments is the fear of quitting tobacco use. Fear is a powerful animal and frequently a driving force in determining the choices we make. People generally go to great lengths to avoid what they fear, because it means venturing out of a comfort zone and into a new, unfamiliar reality.

There are several ways in which fear is directly linked to tobacco cessation or the resistance to it that I think are worth mentioning.

For one thing, as previously stated many people fear the discomfort that tends to accompany withdrawal. Some dread the mood changes and even physical symptoms that can result from stopping tobacco use. As we've discussed, the proper use of medications can minimize these symptoms and help you manage the chemical and physiological changes you may experience.

Another thing that some people fear when quitting is the sense of loss that may come with giving up that "old friend." It's not uncommon to go through a kind of mourning period when quitting tobacco use. Many feel they are losing a companion of sorts — "someone" who used to celebrate with them and cry with them, "someone" who has been a consistent, reliable part of their daily life for years. Dealing with the grief process that ensues is an important part of quitting for the long haul.

Others find that they fear a change in identity. In our society, there is a strong distinction made between "smokers" and "non-smokers." If you've always seen yourself as a "smoker," the status change to becoming a "non-smoker" can be daunting, even if it is a positive change. This may be complicated by a larger group identity, where smoking is present in social or family interactions. Joining the smoke-free camp may mean no longer fitting in with a group in the same way as before. Such a change can be intimidating since groups generally provide a sense of belonging and thereby a certain level of security.

As if these weren't enough, there is also a general epidemic fear of the unknown. As human beings, we like things that are reliable, consistent, foreseeable. Making changes in our lives is something we fear, because we cannot know in advance what the outcome will be. By breaking away from our familiar habits we surrender our comfort and subject ourselves to the risky state of unpredictability. What we usually find, however, is that once we face our fears they no longer have any power over us; we become free and stronger beings.

Fear has a profound presence in our lives and a strong influence on our behavior, yet it can be conquered. I open the floor to all of you and look forward to your thoughts on the fear factor.

August 3, 2008 6:50 a.m.
And by the way Jennifer, since you have chosen to delete comments that don't reflect your own point of view precisely, I have chosen to archive them on a frequent basis to my blog at http://fuofcu.com/drup/blog/1
- Chip
August 3, 2008 6:37 a.m.
The only fear involved here is Jennifer A. Kern being afraid of not keeping her salary. Smoking is a habit, NOT an addiction. The very definition of addiction had to be changed to MAKE smoking an addiction. Some days I smoke 2 packs, some days I smoke 2 cigarettes, some days I don't smoke at all. Smoking is a choice. It's one I make each time i light up or choose not to. This article denigrates all who have quit REAL PHYSICAL DRUG ADDICTIONS. If you truly want to quit smoking just STOP. Cold turkey works. It works better than patches, it works better than gum, it works better than mind altering sometimes deadly drugs, and better than talking to a "counselor"
- Chip
August 2, 2008 10:21 p.m.
Here is another good read Bulletin THOSE 400,000 SMOKING "VICTIMS" LIVE LONGER THAN THE REST OF US! Preliminary report By Rosalind B. Marimont For years the anti-tobacco crusaders, from Drs. Koop and Kessler to President Clinton, have claimed that "cigarette smoking is the greatest cause of preventable or premature deaths, causing 400,000 deaths a year, a number greater than auto accidents, homicide, suicide, and various other causes of death combined." They have used this statement to brand tobacco public health enemy number 1, and to justify huge amounts of money, time, and attention to the war on smoking, while all but ignoring alcohol and drug abuse. Incredibly, analysis of the ages of the 400K supposed deaths computed by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) SAMMEC (Smoking Attributable Mortality, Morbidity and Economic Costs) program shows that tobacco is not a major health threat at all - the supposed victims did not die early! · THE SMOKING "VICTIMS" LIVED LONGER THAN THE REST OF US, BY ABOUT 2 YEARS - 71.9 vs. 70. · OVER 70,000, or about 17%, DIED "PREMATURELY" AT AGES GREATER THAN 85. · ONLY 1900, OR FEWER THAN O.5 % OF THE SMOKING "VICTIMS" DIED AT AGES LESS THAN 35, WHILE 143.000, OR 8% OF THE REST OF US DIED AT AGES LESS THAN 35. If so many of the smoking victims are old, and so few young, and if, on the average, they live longer than the rest of us, how are their deaths "premature"?
- virgilK
August 2, 2008 10:12 p.m.
Frightened to death: Why it's the scare stories that are the REAL menace By CHRISTOPHER BOOKER 12th November 2007 An even more blatant case of suppression of embarrassing evidence was the bizarre story behind the campaign to ban "passive smoking". For years, despite spending hundreds of millions of dollars on trying to prove that smokers not only harmed themselves but also the health of those around them, the anti-smoking campaigners found the evidence they wanted frustratingly elusive. So when the two most comprehensive studies of passive smoking ever carried out each came up with findings that non-smokers living with smokers faced no significantly increased risk of cancer, their anti-smoking sponsors did all they could to get the reports suppressed. In a pattern familiar from other scares, the researchers were subjected to a torrent of personal vilification. If you want to read the full article, just Google the heading. It's all about how we are scared into baning many different things for profit.
- virgilK
August 2, 2008 12:09 p.m.
Isn't that just like the rANTIs. Remove the majority of posts because they disagree with the propaganda. Just like the Nazi propagandists, "In relation to the political decontamination of our public life, the government will embark upon a systematic campaign to restore the nation’s moral and material health. The whole educational system, theater, film, literature, the press and broadcasting -- all these will be used as a means to this end."
- Chip
August 2, 2008 12:08 p.m.
A nurse asked me,"Why don't you quit smoking?' I replied with a smile on my face,'I know the risks butt I like smoking'. End of conversation:)
- No name given
August 2, 2008 11:40 a.m.
I have noticed that all posts made by people who disagree with Ms. Kerns have been removed. Perhaps the Mayo Clinic is also anti freedom of speech. This is unbelievable to me.
- brogers
August 1, 2008 7:41 p.m.
I've smoked for over 50 years. Now tried to quit 3 times, had the 'old friend' problem. Also I have always been concerned about weight gain. I still weigh only 8 pounds more than high school. I now have matasized breast cancer, and probably only have 2-3 years left. So why would I quit something I enjoy at this point? And I really resent Drs. that tell me I 'must' quit.
- Nicki Treat
July 29, 2008 8:18 p.m.
I quit smoking 13 years ago due to a massive blot clot in my right leg caused by snmoking. 4 years later my voice started breaking up. Sounded like I had laryngitis, but it turned out to be cancer on my vocal chords. Ha! Had my larynx removed and now breath through a hole in my neck. I put all that behind me, got certified as an ATOD (Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs) speaker and now do Tobacco Use Prevention presentations to school students. Been doing it for the last 4 years and have talked to over 60,000 students. I smoked for 45 years and was up to 2 packs a day when I quit cold turkey and I will never regret quitting.
- Bob Dlouhy
July 29, 2008 5:58 p.m.
Fear...that hits it dead on! The best explanantion I have ever heard for why it is so hard. I am almost at my 38th yr of smoking and actually quit once for a yr and a half. However, trying to quit this time has been much harder. The first time I quit with no problem with the help of hynosis. It's been 4 yrs since then and I have had a lot of health issues, do not feel very strong and don't seem to have the umph to kick it this time, and it all boils down to fear. Just can't seem to visualise myself w/out a cigarette. I smoke about 2-3 packs a day. I'm sure it would be very helpful in how I feel each day, althought the health issues are not a result of the smoking. I know my head is not in the "zone" to be successful. I am feeling pretty helpless with my addiction right now. I tried hypnosis again and I have been trying with Chantix,however if your head isn't cut in to it, forget it. I guess mine just isn't right now.
- Deb F

July 29, 2008 4:10 p.m.
Iwas one of the worst,,,2/3 packs a day and I don't how many times I tried to quit.The day,10 years ago, I walked into doctors office and he told me my heart was about to stop. I quit with no aids. now, I find it offensive to be around the stench. I am happy to say it I just celebrated my 91st birthday and doing great.
- Duwayne Fox
July 29, 2008 10:34 a.m.
I am a 20 year smoker, and at age 40 have decided that I don't have to settle for being a smoker just because I've been doing it. If I quit now and live to be even 60 years old, I will have lived the majority of my life as a non-smoker. I am 16 hours in, feeling light-headed and sad, but excited about my possiblities of a future as well. I literally felt I would cry when I threw away lighters. How weird, but other than breathing and blinking, there is nothing in 20 years I've done more consistently than smoke. I am determined to make it, one minute at a time if I have to. I am so afraid of weight gain, but I've been running, doing aerobics, and speed walking in preperation. I can do this, so can you.
- -Brandi
July 29, 2008 8:10 a.m.
I am a 40 yr smoker. I have stopped to be pregnant with 8 children. Then after the baby was weaned I would begin having strong almost uncontrolable cravings to smoke again. Do any Drs think there are hormonal reasons behind smoking. Also I have spoken to a lot of people who are highly successful with Zyban. I retired from medical asst so I know alot of patients. I cannot stop smoking! At 62 patches can be dangerous to your heart, as the heart needs to go down to the resting rate like it would in bettween cigarettes. The patches keep it constantly elevated, placing alot of pressure on those old veins. I was told to think a hard look at whats not good with your life emotionally first. Really smoking should be banned as a poison. I have even used mixtures of tobbacco and water to kill bugs on my trees and garden. The tobbacco companys should pay for our rehab at clinic spas and meds to un-addict us. God help us how do we stop?
- Sandra
July 25, 2008 3:59 p.m.
I am a smoker for 40+ years. I have quit many times with no luck. My husband quit a few years ago because he couldn't breathe everytime he lit one but 2nd hand smoke doesn't bother him. I get no support from him because he thinks just because he laid them down & never touched them that anyone can do it. I have had most luck with gum & mild tranquilizer but he doesn't want me spending money on such "foolishness". I hope everyone well that wants to try & quit and I am determined to try & quit one more time. My main drawback seems my nerves. My family is constantly in turmoil & I take everyone's problems to heart. Maybe one day I will make it.
- Donna
July 24, 2008 12:52 p.m.
I have been smoke free for 71 days after smoking for more than 30 years, with the help of medicine perscribed by my Dr. I too had fears of saying good bye to my trusted friend, but after about two weeks, the fears started to subside and I feel better and stronger than ever before. I have had a little weight gain, and some emotional struggles, but when I smell how good my hair smells and the sheets on my bed are so fresh- that was what got me through the hourly cravings at first. Now I just thoroughly enjoy all of the aromas and tasts and most of all, the FREEDOM FROM CIGARETTES! They are not my captor any longer. I wish anyone trying to or thinking about trying to quit the very best and just get through one hour at a time, then the days will get easier.
- Lisa
July 23, 2008 10:23 p.m.
Twenty plus years ago I quit smoking for a year and gained 46 pounds! No change in diet! About the same number of pounds added on each month. After I started back smoking, again no change in diet, about the same number of pounds vanished each month until finally I was back to my pre-quitting weight of 136. I'm now 80 years old and weigh 109, and I am really afraid to quit!
- Helen Stone
July 23, 2008 12:20 p.m.
HOW DO YOU COPE WITH THE FEARS????? I GET REAL HATEFUL. I DON'T WANT TO BE LIKE THAT. I CRY ALOT WHEN I DO HATEFUL THINGS TO PEOPLE. THATS FROM NOT HAVING A CIG FOR MORE THAN A HOUR. WASTING OUR TIME, WHAT DO YOU REALLY KNOW??? WHY DID YOU LET ANY BODY SMOKE IN YOUR HOUSE?? WHY DID YOU HANG AROUND SMOKERS???
- MARCIA
July 23, 2008 6:06 a.m.
I have breast cancer and i still smoke. I'm so addictedand it calms me down. How stupid to risk a sure death when stopping would help my odds. It's just not that easy.
- Barbra
July 22, 2008 9:12 a.m.
I do not think that the anti-smoking campaign is totally about health in the first place. As a nonsmoker who lived with smokers all my life, I absolutely hated it. It was disgusting. The nice white walls in our house turned yellow. The house, my clothes, my car, the camper, everything smelled. I did not go an hour without being engulfed in a cloud of smoke and coughing my way out of it. If you do smoke, think of how you are affecting those close to you and how you are preceived by them for this useless habit. Smoking does not get you ahead in life, nothing good comes from it. It makes you spend money (setting you back in cash), wrinkle faster, and leave social gatherings/outings (because you NEED to smoke). I suggest smokers should stop wasting their time and missing out on life.
- wanting to smell good and breathe easy
July 16, 2008 10:51 p.m.
It is very hard to quit smoking, because I am also habitual of it and I also have fear of loosing my best friend, who helps me to come out from depression _______________________________________ allen Addiction Recovery Massachusetts