For the first time since starting these blogs, I am pleased to announce that I?m now on the right track and slowly but surely, I?m getting there.
"You see, you can't just stop smoking, that's impossible, nobody can do that" Leon proclaimed wisely, like some kind of smoking therapist prophet. "It is, it's impossible. What you have to do is stop smoking in the week and then just have treat days."
However, not smoking whilst drinking is still a near impossible task, which has led to the decision of cutting down on my alcohol intake as well. Hopefully this will allow me to jump those final hurdles and I'll just start drinking again when I am confident enough to do so without smoking.
The main reason for this good streak has been the Nicorette Inhalator and the other smoking aides that were discussed in the last blog. However, a conversation with my mate Leon has also brought a new perspective to the plight of non-smoking.
It was late on a Saturday night and after a heavy one on the Friday that we decided the evening would be spent quietly playing computer games and eating pizza. However, because Leon is an idiot, he?d only brought one joy pad. This led to a mad dash back to Prestwich to get the second pad and as we got closer to his house the conversation turned to smoking.
Leon is also a smoker who has become bored of it and is trying to quit. However he has no problems with being a social smoker so he is just quitting Monday to Friday.
"You see, you can't just stop smoking, that's impossible, nobody can do that" Leon proclaimed wisely, like some kind of smoking therapist prophet. "It is, it's impossible. What you have to do is stop smoking in the week and then just have treat days."
"Treat days? I'm trying to quit smoking not fit into a bikini in time for summer"
"Well that's it man, it is like dieting, you don't just stop, you have to do it gradually, it takes time."
I took a moment to think about what Leon was saying and started to wonder when my mate had become so wise when it came to dealing with addictions. Maybe he worked at the Priory.
Eventually we got to the house and Leon parked the car before continuing the conversation.
"You see the thing is, we?re both doing well now but I enjoy a little treat now and again." I nodded in agreement. Leon continued "You?re using the tampon, I'm using the gum and it's alright, it doesn't taste as bad as I thought it would. But as well as that I've been using psychology too."
Leon had emphasised the word 'psychology' which had made it sound like the strangest sentence ever. Sensing my confusion Leon continued.
"You see, I've been using psychology on myself to stop myself from smoking." I started to imagine Leon stood in front of a mirror holding a watch in front of his face trying to hypnotise himself.
"Basically I keep thinking about how bad smoking makes me feel and it stops me from smoking. Then If that doesn't work then I imagine people smoking and think about how stupid they look"
I nodded in agreement. It seems that despite being slightly confusing, Leon's psychological approach to quitting makes sense. I turn to face him, he is rolling a cigarette.
No comments:
Post a Comment