Nutty put his (her?) finger on it about habit and psychological crutch. Fifteen years ago, I spent six months designing a smoking cessation program for the Amercan Cancer Society that was eventually published as a video. I got to spend much of that time learning the specifics of addiction in cigarette smoking in order to prepare for the video and became what is called a smoking cessation expert.

All smokers and ex-smokers will recognize the three "hooks" of cigarette addiction. How bad each one varies from one smokler to another.

One of the hooks is the physical addiction and that is what Zyban helps with. Zyban can be a major aid in cutting back on the effects of physical addiction and that can be a real help but it doesn't do much for the other two hooks and that is why is is neccessary to want to give up smoking. That is the only way to get free of the other two hooks.

The second hook is habit. When I examined my own life, I saw I had scores of deeply entrenched smoking habits: getting into a car, picking up the phone, after dinner, with coffee, sitting down to read, at the computer, taking a break from heavy concentration, taking a rest on a motorcycle trip, etc. yes- even after sex. Each situation triggered off a desire for a cigarette.

The third is the psychological addiction. For me, this was the hardest to overcome. When I was upset, hungry, happy, lonely, any of those, I wanted "my friend", the cigarette. Actually, giving up smoking was like turning my back on a trusted old friend.

Zyban doesn't solve those problems, but for many people it does help give them the energy to face up to the other two. Anyone who thinks that he can strap on a patch and the desire for cigarettes will wither away without any effort from them is bound to be disappointed.

I think I would have to say that giving up smoking (it has been fifteen years) has been one of the most important achievements of my life.

Take pride in what you have accomplished, nutty, and keep up the good work.

Sourdough