Smoke...
I had my first cigarette when I was about 12 year old. I had one once in a while, but as my parents were checking quite closely I couldn't start without hiding before I turned 18.
My mother had told me "when you're 18, you can do what you want", well I took her word and did as I wanted. Smoking was one of them (I'm not proud of all of them...). Ever since 13th November 1985 I have been smoking more or less, let's say rather much more than less, a pack of Marlborough gold/light a day. I nearly never tried to quit nor really wanted to. My first attempt was in 1999. Then someone brought me her box telling me my temper was terrible. Well, try putting a bottle of wine in front of an alcoholic... The second time was in the summer of 2004. I found this great job, nice people, very good bank. I did not make it to the end of the trial period. And as soon as they fired me, that's when my mother decided to tell me everything she had withheld for the past 36 years. One evening I went to a rock festival, bought 3 packs and smoked all of them within 24h. Then I decided that quitting was not for me. And you know what to quit smoking is like dieting :every time you start eating or smoking you smoke more and/or put more kilos on.
Until this year when in Geneva we were asked to vote whether we wanted to forbid smoke in public places, restaurants, bars etc. Eventhough I was a heavy smoker, I voted yes. And the new 'law' was implemented on July 1st. You know when it's summertime you sit on terrace, a bench or by the lake it's ok to smoke. Then, my employer also decided to forbid smoking inside the premises of the bank. And the last thing was my 6 days holiday in a club.
When I returned from my holiday and was unpacking, I realised that I had managed t smoke 10 pack in 6 days ! Ok I was in a club, but alone, no big party, no disco, no exciting bar or friends. Then when I went back to work, I started going downstairs to smoke, and I would even smoke while walking in the street. waiting for the bus, but the worst part was in the evening. I would do nothing else that go back home to smoke and would not go bed before finnishing my pack.
That's when I saw an add on Internet. I called to ask what it was and how much it cost and within two minutes I had no answers but an appointment two days later. I still did not want to quit, I had about 25 packs at home and did not feel ready. So on a Friday evening I went to see Mr Couturier and he started explaining about his system which is like accumptucture done with 'cold laser', the price (CHF 450.-) and then he asked me if I was ready. I was taken aback so I said well let's try. He did his thing for 30mn. I paid left my cigarettes back and came back home. Smoked a pack of cigarettes, about 8, that was left on the table and went to sleep. saturday morning went back for the second appointment and told him about my smoking of last night. He told me I might need a third appointment, did his thing again and I left. That evning I forced a friend to give me a cigarette and that was the last one.
I had my last cigarette on 20th September 2008. And I am very very proud of my-self. I don't know if it this system, or what I paid or just like the AA theory you know : today I don't smoke/drink and tomorrow is a new day, but I don't miss it, I'm not nervous, not more than before, my hair does not stink anymore, neither does my flat, sheets, towels...
My mother had told me "when you're 18, you can do what you want", well I took her word and did as I wanted. Smoking was one of them (I'm not proud of all of them...). Ever since 13th November 1985 I have been smoking more or less, let's say rather much more than less, a pack of Marlborough gold/light a day. I nearly never tried to quit nor really wanted to. My first attempt was in 1999. Then someone brought me her box telling me my temper was terrible. Well, try putting a bottle of wine in front of an alcoholic... The second time was in the summer of 2004. I found this great job, nice people, very good bank. I did not make it to the end of the trial period. And as soon as they fired me, that's when my mother decided to tell me everything she had withheld for the past 36 years. One evening I went to a rock festival, bought 3 packs and smoked all of them within 24h. Then I decided that quitting was not for me. And you know what to quit smoking is like dieting :every time you start eating or smoking you smoke more and/or put more kilos on.
Until this year when in Geneva we were asked to vote whether we wanted to forbid smoke in public places, restaurants, bars etc. Eventhough I was a heavy smoker, I voted yes. And the new 'law' was implemented on July 1st. You know when it's summertime you sit on terrace, a bench or by the lake it's ok to smoke. Then, my employer also decided to forbid smoking inside the premises of the bank. And the last thing was my 6 days holiday in a club.
When I returned from my holiday and was unpacking, I realised that I had managed t smoke 10 pack in 6 days ! Ok I was in a club, but alone, no big party, no disco, no exciting bar or friends. Then when I went back to work, I started going downstairs to smoke, and I would even smoke while walking in the street. waiting for the bus, but the worst part was in the evening. I would do nothing else that go back home to smoke and would not go bed before finnishing my pack.
That's when I saw an add on Internet. I called to ask what it was and how much it cost and within two minutes I had no answers but an appointment two days later. I still did not want to quit, I had about 25 packs at home and did not feel ready. So on a Friday evening I went to see Mr Couturier and he started explaining about his system which is like accumptucture done with 'cold laser', the price (CHF 450.-) and then he asked me if I was ready. I was taken aback so I said well let's try. He did his thing for 30mn. I paid left my cigarettes back and came back home. Smoked a pack of cigarettes, about 8, that was left on the table and went to sleep. saturday morning went back for the second appointment and told him about my smoking of last night. He told me I might need a third appointment, did his thing again and I left. That evning I forced a friend to give me a cigarette and that was the last one.
I had my last cigarette on 20th September 2008. And I am very very proud of my-self. I don't know if it this system, or what I paid or just like the AA theory you know : today I don't smoke/drink and tomorrow is a new day, but I don't miss it, I'm not nervous, not more than before, my hair does not stink anymore, neither does my flat, sheets, towels...
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