Stop Smoking Drugs

[desertdog71]

I was at the Docs today and he told me about a new drug that helps with quitting smoking. I cannot remember what its called now. He said it blocked the Nicotine receptors and he has seen very high success rates with it. I guess its a several week process and you quit smoking on the 7th day of using the drug.

My questions I guess is what is it called, and is it approved by the FAA.

Thanks

[ComplexHiAv8r]

Originally Posted by desertdog71

I was at the Docs today and he told me about a new drug that helps with quitting smoking. I cannot remember what its called now. He said it blocked the Nicotine receptors and he has seen very high success rates with it. I guess its a several week process and you quit smoking on the 7th day of using the drug.

My questions I guess is what is it called, and is it approved by the FAA.

Thanks

Sorry to hear you are smoking again Van.... good luck with stopping!

[MSUDAWG]

Start dipping....Its easier to do, lasts longer than a cigarette, and you can do it while your flying! haha

Not sure about the drug I need something to help me quit dipping....Bubble gum and sunflower seeds have seemed to help quite a bit....Good luck with the smoking though...

[My Flight Surgeon]

There is nothing other than the over the counter nicotine patches or gum that you can use and be FAA legal. He is probably referring to Chantix. Unless they just apporved it, the FAA has not reviewed this drug. http://www.jetcareers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=31145

[swimbody]

I quit successfully, after 20 or so attempts, by 1) wanting to quit 2) reading "The Easyway to Quit Smoking" 3) changing trigger environments like drinking (until the urge was gone).

This book I read was literally the only thing that ever made sense to me about what our perception of tobacco and nicotine is like in the US and how it keeps us "addicted". I used to think that nicotine was the problem...it was my belief system that kept me addicted.

When you challenge your beliefs about reality, intensely spiritual and amazing thing begin to happen in your life. I haven't wanted a cigarette since I quit cold turkey on June 29, 2006. I never sneaked a puff of a friends, nothing like that. That book took me out of the maze my subconscious was in.

Good luck, it worked for me. If you want to talk about it further, email me or PM me.

[fish314]

Saw the title of this thread and thought it was advice to someone!

[johntlewis]

Originally Posted by fish314

Saw the title of this thread and thought it was advice to someone!

Yea, I thought the title meant that we should stop doing drugs (ie, marijuana). Dude, throw away the bong!

[desertdog71]

Originally Posted by swimbody

3) changing trigger environments like drinking.

Now if I can just stop waking up in the morning, eating, driving, and knocking the boots with the old lady I will be in good shape.

[ComplexHiAv8r]

Originally Posted by desertdog71

Now if I can just stop waking up in the morning, eating, driving, and knocking the boots with the old lady I will be in good shape.

Actually knocking the boots with the old lady would be some good exercise!

[Dreampilot]

Hey,

I smoked for 5 years and yesterday I decided to kick the habit after I was coughing blood. I havent smoked in 48 hours which is not to say I'm totally done but I just need to get through this first week. Good luck on quitting. It's all in your mind. I would advise against the patches though. They can make you really sick if you smoke while using them but they can make you sick even if you dont smoke. Good luck.

[desertdog71]

Originally Posted by Dreampilot

Hey,

I smoked for 5 years and yesterday I decided to kick the habit after I was coughing blood. I havent smoked in 48 hours which is not to say I'm totally done but I just need to get through this first week. Good luck on quitting. It's all in your mind. I would advise against the patches though. They can make you really sick if you smoke while using them but they can make you sick even if you dont smoke. Good luck.

I'll just use the patch, while chewing nicorette, with a pinch of Copenhagen and smoking a Camel.

[Dreampilot]

ever see the movie, "Thank You for Smoking"

[AZBigDog]

I've always been able to stop smoking "cold turkey". Over the years, I've started and stopped. Every time it's been the cold turkey method. It's really just mind over matter. I know, easier said than done, but NOT impossible!

What's funny is I know people who were smoking and chewing the nicotine gum at the same time! I just chuckled at them.

[adreamer]

Well, I am doing the same "Cold Turkey" method. So far, it has been a month. Beside that, I come up few reasons to help me no smoking.

#1. Not good for your body.
#2. I can use the money for something else.
#3. My car smell better.

[SeatClutcher]

I mostly quit two years ago (I have one every now and then, or a few if I'm drinking), but when I want to remind myself why I probably shouldn't even have a few, I imagine having my breastplate cracked open to repair a diseased heart.

That and emphysema. I hate not being able to breathe.

Oh - and, well, just dying in general. I have a lot of stuff I'm looking forward to, should I make it happen, and it'd really suck to kill myself off.

[GrantHubbell]

Smoke a stoagie once a month!

[SeatClutcher]

Originally Posted by GrantHubbell

Smoke a stoagie once a month!

I love the smell of a cigar.

[EDUC8-or]

I quit about a month ago. Even while I smoked I would try and exercise, and I would be hating myself for smoking when I worked out. I haven't been drinking because that's the biggest trigger for me. When I'm craving a smoke and beer on an overnight I head to the gym. When I'm at home I go for a run or get out my mountain bike. I've also found all my smokes from the various hiding places at home and in my car.

Good luck, it's tough. I used to struggle on a 2-3 mile run and yesterday I ran 8 miles and it was like a piece of cake and I felt better than ever after I was done. Certainly much better than after a 12 pack of beer and a pack of smokes!

I figure in this career we need to be healthy to keep our medical, but my wife and I are also thinking about starting a family and I don't want to croak at 50 and leave them all alone. That alone was motivation for me to quit.

[NotCoolEnufToFly]

Originally Posted by SeatClutcher

I love the smell of a cigar.

Or a pipe... mmmm....

[amorris311]

i have to admit that my father and i are big time cigar smokers.

[killbilly]

I made it about a week this year before I broke down and went back to smoking. I know it's behavior mod in addition to the addiction, but it's so. damned. hard.

Gonna check into this new drug. Looks promising.

[launchpad]

I personally think that the entire problem is with the habit.....smoking after dinner...smoking after a drink...smoking after etc. etc. etc.......removing the trigger is a good way to do it, but like someone above said, you can't just stop waking up in the morning. The best way I've found to quit smoking is to replace it with something else...in my case, it's Trident. Every time I feel the need for a smoke, I'll pop a piece of gum....works great...it's healty and *CHEAP*.........give it a try before the drugs....

[killbilly]

Originally Posted by launchpad

I personally think that the entire problem is with the habit.....smoking after dinner...smoking after a drink...smoking after etc. etc. etc.......removing the trigger is a good way to do it, but like someone above said, you can't just stop waking up in the morning. The best way I've found to quit smoking is to replace it with something else...in my case, it's Trident. Every time I feel the need for a smoke, I'll pop a piece of gum....works great...it's healty and *CHEAP*.........give it a try before the drugs....

You're right, and the replacement technique does work to a degree...

...but it doesn't help the veritable jerk that I turn into when I don't get my nicotine. I have noticed marked mood/emotional changes when I'm trying to quit smoking to the detriment of most of my personal relationships. I need a way to wean off nicotine so that I can address the behaviors without turning into a snappish, scowling prick, y'know?

Probably sounds weak to most of you...and maybe I am...but I'm gonna kick it one way or another...just gotta try another method.

[amorris311]

keep up the hard work.

[LoadMasterC141]

I have had a hard time with this as well. Compared to the pack a day menthols I was at 2 years ago, I am now down to half a pack of Ultra-Lights these days. However, I will not allow myself to change careers until I have kicked this nasty stupid habit. Plus, I cannot say I have ever really seen an airline pilot smoke(do they?) and have heard alot of airlines do not allow it final.

So anyway...

• Cold Turkey- I turn into the evil spawn of hell.
• The gum-Didn't work.
• Zyban/Wellbutrin-Actually made feel depressed (It is an anti-depressant!).
• The patch-This actually worked for me to an extent. After a week, I was slipping and smoking a cigarette every other day or so. Got mad and gave up.
• Chantix-Have not tried it but the side affects seem a bit too common, and I HATE Pfizer(Long story).

A shock to the system: that is what I remember as being the one thing that helped me quit smoking for 8 weeks. That shock was basic training.
I never once had single craving for a cigarette. I was young and stupid and smoked again drunk one night, but truly, I believe this is the one time that I really beat smoking. Now I just need to come up with a way to shock my system like the military did for me!