Stories & experiences

Adam_Fanshaa_123456
Northern NSW
1
Story
23/08/2021
Joined

3rd time not working - champix

Posted in Hints and tips 24 Aug 2021
7 Comments

Hello people!

Here's my quick & dirty - I smoked for 20 years (a pack a day) and I tried champix for the first time, I LITERALLY lost the desire to smoke after about 3 weeks being on champix. It was GREAT and so unexpectedly surprising! I never thought I could go without a smoke for a day - but I didn't smoke for a month!!

then at the turn of the month - I was so sure that I had permanently kicked the habit, that I dabbled - and Lo and Behold, I was back smoking again.

I decided to go back on champix, so I did and after about 3 weeks this time, I suddenly developed the lack of desire to smoke and so I quit - this time for 2 WHOLE months - I was absolutely SURPRISED and couldn't believe that I could do it. But then again, as man typically falters - I had a smoke after the 2 months thinking this is just a social thing now and I'm OVER the addiction. Lo and behold, I started smoking again after a few days.

I am now on the 3rd attempt of champix - and it's been 6 weeks, and I am not feeling the same type of hatred towards cigarettes as I did while being on champix before. I wonder if my body has developed immunity to this drug now? Anybody out there that has the same experience? Has anybody tried champix for the 3rd time and felt the same sort of ineffectiveness?

I plan on continue with the medication, as I believe in it STRONGLY (given the track record). My only concern is perhaps I have built immunity to this drug. Have I? I am absolutely SERIOUS about quitting now - this time around when the drug kicks in and I quit, I will NOT dabble - I will steer clear of this nasty habit.

Also - I know you need to set a "quit date" and all - but to be honest, the past 2 times, I didn't need to - the drug just "magically" worked such that I was physically and emotionally SO put off by cigarettes that I didn't even want to see the pack - let alone smoke a cigarette.

Any similar experiences? I am so desperate to quit - I'm so sick of these darts - they sicken me. What do I do? I do intend to continue with champix and finish the whole 3 month course - I was hoping the drug would've kicked in by now though, as it did during my previous 2 attempts.

Any feedback on this would be GREATLY appreciated!!

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7 Comments

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  • Robn August 24, 2021 | 21:51
    Hi Adam, any NRT is only an aid. It isn’t magic and it isn’t a cure. I don’t know why you feel the champix is not as effective this time. But I do know that the main part of quitting is up to you and how you view smoking. If you really don’t want to smoke, why would you dabble at all. That is the key. Making up your mind that you don’t ever want to smoke again under any circumstances. Once you are 100% in that mindset...quitting is easy. We don’t crave what we don’t want. So if you do crave, it means your mindset is not at 100%. Keep going.....get a hold of Allen Carr’s book...Easy way to quit smoking...and read it often. It is a fantastic way to start training your brain to kick the addiction. Hope you stay close to this forum and let us know how you are going. One day at a time
  • Leeann , Central Coast August 25, 2021 | 0:06
    Hi Adam, I have never tried Champix but have used patches, gum and lozenges in past quit attempts. Robn is right they are not magic, just an aid to help you break the cycle to start.

    Dabbling in smoking never works, one puff does not work, it all just leads down one path.

    Dont look at quitting as depriving yourself, look at it as a choice to become a non smoker. Lets be real, who would choose to smoke today, we were all just addicts feeding an addiction.

    Im choosing to rid myself of that choice, so its NOPE not one puff ever👌
  • Leeann , Central Coast August 25, 2021 | 0:08
    I might add Adam you are 6weeks in, so just keep going and don't look back, you can do it!!
  • Red-67 August 25, 2021 | 2:52
    Like Robn said,,, Why dabble ?? Do you want to QUIT or not. I will not say that it is impossible to have a recreational smoke, but not likely. As long as you are feeding your addiction to smoking, you will keep it alive. Champix is a mind altering drug. It gives you the illusion that you have kicked it, but, by definition Champix, Zyban, etc, help keep you off the smokes, so that YOU can quit. In many cases, the end of Champix is just a return to smoking, if YOU do not make the quit in your mind. If you truly make up your mind that you do not WANT to smoke, there is no dabble, and no need, or want for that one puff..
    Until you are off the smokes, and off the Champix for some time, you have not kicked the addiction. Then, and only then, you will be free of them. You are a smoker, or an ( ex-smoker or non-smoker ). There is no in between. Oh, and as far a track record for Champix, If you consider successful quits, meaning those that did not go back to smoking, cold turkey is first, NRT, is second, and Zyban / Champix is third.. If you listen to the adds, sure more people ( stop ) with Champix / Chantix / Zyban, but, there is only one successful QUIT. Do whatever works for you, but in the end, the true QUIT is all in your mind. If you really want it, you can do it. It can be as easy as you make it.. :)
  • NOPE-2021 August 25, 2021 | 9:10
    Hi Adam, I am pretty sure you know a bunch more that I about Champix. I hope you can keep an open mind to other methods used in this quit community as well as Champix.

    What I will suggest, it to force yourself to look at life as a non-smoker, feel the fresh air in your lungs, imagine sprinting upstairs without getting winded. Ok, so now you have an idea that there are some benefits. Now the next piece of the puzzle is how you get this life as a non-smoker.

    You will find what works for you to break from your nicotine addiction. Keep reading and learning. Something will pop out at you. You need to truly WANT,.. if you don't have that WANT, you need to develop it otherwise any quit will just be 'just going through the motions" half heartedly.

    Good luck with your quit. YOU can do it. YOU have done it before. YOU need to make it STICK!!!
  • Happiness August 25, 2021 | 11:34
    touche
  • Happiness August 28, 2021 | 0:28
    https://www.icanquit.com.au/story/15645/if-youve-givenup-givinup-try-this

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