Hi Mercy!
I have quit numerous times over the last year or so, with varying degrees of success using NRT (nicotine replacement therapy---gum/lozenges/patches). Chantix, in the US, just gained FDA approval this past summer. It is a nicotine inhibitor and does not contain any nicotine. It blocks the nicotine from reaching the receptors in the brain that find smoking enjoyable. Therefore, you smoke the first week you are on it (you find it less rewarding to smoke---no little high). The second week the dosage increases and you are instructed that day 8 is "quit" day. If you 'slip' you are encouraged to jump back into the quit ASAP. And...if you do'slip' the nicotine does not reach the brain and is therefore not pleasurable, making it easier to continue on with the quit. Chantix is wonderful for those people who were heavy, long-term smokers with a strong desire to quit. You, of course, have to want to quit for it to be successful. I have a neighbor that did not quit and used Chantix for eight weeks while continuing to smoke. She really did not WANT to quit and had a spouse that smoked, inside, and was not supportive. He called her a 'quitter'---what an a$$hole! Anyway, Chantix seems to have a 44% success rate, which is impressive. Of course, everyone is always leery whenever a new drug is introduced into the markeet, but I, for one, cannot say enough good about it. :)
[B]My Milage:[/B]
[B]My Quit Date: [/B] 9/8/2006
[B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 191
[B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 9,596
[B]Amount Saved:[/B] $1528
[B]Life Gained:[/B]
[B]Days:[/B] 20 [B]Hrs:[/B] 7 [B]Mins:[/B] 45 [B]Seconds:[/B] 54
