1,646 days ago I kicked the Kodiak bear to the curb. I quit for me. In the days since, my cholesterol has been cut in half. My blood pressure has returned to normal. My blood sugar is damn near normal. And I am a much, much, much better man that I was before.
Addiction makes you lie to yourself and those you love. You are sneaky, pathetic, and dishonest. You make decisions and choices that aren't the best for you, but are the best for you to get your fix. Kodiak cost me $40,000 in after tax money, lots of nights driving frantically to convenience stores to find a can when I could have been home bonding (between the sheets) with my wife, or spending time with my family.
Last weekend a widow of a 49-year old tobacco user and her 18 year old son flew to KC to spend the weekend with us. We talked a lot about her husband, and what a great man he was. The two of them are clearly continuing to find their way without the leader of their house. They had a great weekend, but man I wish Todd could have been there with them.
This is a decision only you can make. I can tell you this, I have yet to meet one person that ever has said "damn I wish I had never quit tobacco." Not one.
The choice is yours. The loss of a few teeth is the not all that there is to lose in this fight. Honestly, the freedom is so sweet that until you grasp it - you can't understand it. The patch isn't the first step. The dentist scaring you about dentures isn't the first step. You have to decide that nicotine can no longer be a part of your life. Ever. Once you make that decision, once you throw all of the nicotine out, once you grab your nuts and quit, you will never regret the decision. It won't be easy. But dude, I promise you, life is better without the bear in your life.
worktowin 1,646