Who remembers my first post about giving up smoking?

I’ve battled a smoking addiction for 10 years and in that time I’ve attempted to give up cigarettes more times than I can remember. My last attempt to give up was the big one, the now or never, the real deal.

That was four months ago.

I haven’t had single a cigarette since!

!!WINNER!!

After trying almost every aid on the market I eventually went to see my doctor and we decided that the best route for me would be to take a drug called Varenicline. 

According to NHS advice:

• Varenicline (brand name Champix) is a medication that reduces cravings for nicotine and blocks the rewarding and reinforcing effects of smoking.
• It’s the most effective medication for helping people stop smoking.
• Varenicline is only available on prescription
• It’s taken as one to two tablets a day for 2-12 weeks.

My experience on these tablets took the addiction away from me after only two weeks, luckily the only side effects I had were some funky dreams and a slight headache.

Everyone’s experience is different with addiction; almost everyday cigarettes run through my mind and when I get stressed it is the first thing I think I want. The habitual cravings haven’t left me, they drive me crazy sometimes but I know that it’s still early days and if I have one it would do nothing for me. (A 10-year addiction lingers longer psychologically than it does chemically)

One person I know who has had a slightly different experience using the same method is Josh Locke.

Josh is a Professional Musician, Music Teacher and the poor soul who has to deal with my heart of twisted love. As a successful and crazy-busy performing artist Josh was starting to notice the effects smoking long-term was having on his performances so he decided to quit for good as well. 

Josh went through the medication process first and he created a series on YouTube called Sing Through the Smoke. (Click for channel). His advice and knowledge isn’t just aimed at singers; his breathing techniques help to replace the rituals of smoking and really, really, really helped me during the first few weeks of the struggle.

Josh told me that he hoped all kinds of people trying to quit smoking would benefit from his videos and I hope the same with my blog. Months later we are both smoke free, over the moon with our success and a lot healthier. Neither of us smell like ashtrays anymore and we’ve both realised that smoking is not badass, it’s not a stress relief; it’s all in your head. If we can do it, then so can anyone.

Watch the videos, learn the techniques, go to your doctor, JUST GET HELP.

Life is so much bigger than an addiction.

♥