A few years ago, we watched someone very close to us try everything to quit their 40-year smoking habit.
Patches, gum, prescription meds (Chantix gave them nightmares and suicidal thoughts), cold turkey (lasted 72 hours), hypnosis, acupuncture, Allen Carr’s book, support groups…
Nothing worked.
Not because they lacked willpower.
Not because they didn't want it badly enough.
They'd quit for a week, maybe two, using patches or gum.
But then we'd see them standing outside in the freezing cold at 6am with their coffee, or sneaking out after family dinners, or chain-smoking in the car after stressful work calls...