Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

Palma Ceia

With help of a laser she's kicking the habit, again

Patches, gum and inhalers give way to a newfangled laser treatment. All to make one woman stop what once seemed cool.

By SHANNON BREEN
Published August 26, 2005

I said I'd never be in this position again. But here I am. A habitual on again, off again smoker who's reaching for the "off" switch ... again.

Translation: nicotine withdrawal. Foul moods. I gnaw on everything in sight, from pen caps to Smurf action figures.

I've been smoking since my senior year in high school because I wanted to be cool. I never became cool, but I did become addicted to Marlboros.

I've tried to quit a few times by using patches, gum and those screwy inhalers. I quit once for two years but accepted a cigarette after a bout of severe stress. Yadda, yadda, yadda.

When my editor gave the green light to try a fairly new laser treatment, my legs bounced anxiously. I knew that quitting was necessary, but was I ready? Truth is, I'd never be ready.

Having heard that cigarettes are more addictive than crack didn't dissuade me from my eight-year habit. Nor did the fact that smoking is the leading cause of death among Americans.

I learned the noninvasive (not painful) laser is essentially acupuncture without needles. It's supposed to reduce physical cravings for nicotine by triggering a release of the brain's natural endorphins.

The therapy costs $269 and consists of three laser treatments with counseling before, during and after.

My final cigarette was smoked at 2:28 p.m. on July 21, 2005, before entering the Anne Penman therapy center, which opened in June at 1502 S MacDill Ave. I sucked it down so quickly that I felt lightheaded.

Wearing protective alienlike goggles, I relaxed while Penman aimed a narrow light beam at 27 points on my ears, wrists, nose, forehead, fingers and hands. Each one lasted for about a minute.

Other than a fleeting sensation of euphoria as the laser was applied to my right ear, I felt normal.

On my way out, I was handed a goodie bag with lollipops, a stress ball and pamphlets that say, "Remember ... SMOKING IS A KILLER ... Be more active. Drink lots of water. Increase your Vitamin C intake."

Although I'm a certified cynic, I wanted to believe in this as a miracle cure. But as soon as I got into my car, I craved a cigarette. Penman warned cravings would occur. When that happens, she advised breathing exercises followed by pinching my nose as a way to trigger the release of endorphins. I did that a few times but felt embarrassed when others noticed.

Two days after the initial treatment, I returned for my half-hour "booster" session. Afterward, I felt like smoking a cigarette. Nothing a little pinch of the nose couldn't help.

Not much is different this time around.

I'm still sucking on pen caps, lollipops and, my very favorite, straws. But I've made it a month.

My moods sometimes feel out of control. For instance, I yelled at the TV the other night because the Jared Subway commercials kept coming on. For some reason, the sight of Jared provokes Tourette syndrome in me. I hate him.

My appetite has increased. One night, I ate six Popsicles.

Naturally, the nicotine cravings have become more infrequent. But I don't attribute that to anything but time.

I just wish I could tell the younger me back in high school not to do it. It's not worth it. Cigarettes ain't cool.

So what if that camel wears sunglasses?

We all know he's in a desert right now, sucking on pen caps.

Shannon Breen can be reached at 226-3408 or breen@sptimes.com

[Last modified August 25, 2005, 09:36:09]