What a week crushing the habit - Part 2

Ricardo's love affair is no secret. For more than 20 years his cigarette has been his constant and loyal companion. But for 2013, he has decided to make a change and he's ready to kick the smoky habit once and for all. He has called upon psychologist Dr Rose Johnson to help him make this happen. Johnson is trained and certified in the 'Quit Smoking in 60 Minutes or Less' process and will also be using neuro-linguistic programming, and hypnosis to help Ricardoachieve his goal.

Follow Ricardo's extraordinary journey in Outlook over the next few weeks as he takes on the fight of his life.

It has now been a week since I decided to end my more than 20-year love affair with cigarettes, and what a week it has been.

Since I first told her I was leaving, she has been the most vindictive and clingy lover of my life.

Dr Johnson had instructed that if I was serious about quitting, I was to start keeping a diary and note every time she touched my lips. And I have. What an eye-opener that has been.

On day one, (Tuesday) I sought her comfort 27 times. I'm usually sure that I smoke less than one pack each day and that was generally true. But last week it seemed like she was determined to get the last out of me.

Twenty-seven smokes at $30 each in one day!

That, my friend, equals $810 (if I bought them at a corner shop), and $710 (if I bought them at a wholesale).

the friends

That does not include any that I might have given away to the crew in the bar on John's Road or those that I might have given away around the domino table that night.

Now you can see why I'm so adamant that we have to call it quits? I just can't afford her $5,670 in one week. That's a shade below what The Gleaner pay me. Either you are mad or I am more than insane to continue this relationship.

To compound matters, when I got home, I showered twice, washed my hair twice, used toothpaste, mouthwash and two gums and still my other woman decided that she would not be sleeping beside me - she couldn't take the smell.

No love

That is what you have done to me. You can't allow me to just walk away after 20-odd years. You still need to empty my wallet, wreck my home life and send my blood pressure through the roof. And then you say we are friends! You don't love me.

Well, let me tell you this. Do anything you want to do because on Thursday when I go to see Dr Johnson, after I leave her office, you will be "only someone I used to love". I know you know that song.

So enjoy your last days. I'm not afraid of you, so there is no slowing down, no gradual stop, no nothing. It's going to be done come Thursday evening. As a matter of fact, Dr Johnson says I should get to her office at 4 p.m. but I'm going at 3 to show her how serious I am.

Goodbye cigarettes, your days are numbered.

Your long-time friend and lover, Ricardo.

Name changed to protect identity.