How I Quit Smoking and Drinking: A Personal Journey from Addiction to Awareness

“Freedom is not doing what you want, it is not being a slave to what you don’t.”

Like many, my journey into smoking and drinking wasn’t overnight — it was a slow fall, wrapped in the comfort of “bad company,” stress, and a lack of direction in life. But climbing out of that hole gave me the purpose I never knew I needed.

1. How It All Started – Stress, Company & a Lack of Purpose

It began during my B.Tech years — those years of exams, peer pressure, and late-night boredom. Smoking, back then, seemed like a shared activity, a trend. We lit cigarettes between classes, during stressful exam weeks, and just to “pass time.”

I was not doing what I loved. I had no strong focus on health, career, or goals — and that created a vacuum. And when you’re lost, you often follow the herd. Smoking felt like belonging, even if it was to the wrong crowd.

2. The Trap Deepens – Dependency, Dopamine & Escapism

As years passed, smoking and drinking became coping mechanisms. The high they gave seemed like an escape from reality — especially when things weren’t going well in my career. Ironically, I’ve seen people with successful careers also stuck in this trap, because addiction isn’t just about failure — it’s about emotional voids.

Over time, my body chemistry got used to it. I heard people say smoking helped digestion or gave them the “kick” to start the day. That kick? It was just dopamine dependency.

Drinking became another form of escape. It was never about enjoyment — just about avoiding pain. And the so-called friends I had? They vanished when I stopped drinking. That’s when I realized:

Real friends lift you up — they don’t drag you down.

3. A Spark of Realization – Guru’s Words that Hit Hard

Deep inside, I always knew I wanted to quit. That desire sat in my subconscious, buried beneath layers of denial and habit. But one day, I stumbled upon a video by Guru Pashupati, and his words hit me hard.

He explained how:

• Smoking thickens the blood, causes arterial buildup, and damages lungs and teeth.
• Alcohol is labeled as a Mahapaap (great sin) in scriptures — it gives you temporary pleasure but permanently harms the brain.
• Bad breath, poor immunity, wasted money, and ruined decision-making were just the surface.

His message was a wake-up call.

4. My Turning Point – From Slipping to Rising

Motivated, I joined a satsang (spiritual community) and gave up alcohol. But smoking lingered. I managed to quit for a few weeks, only to relapse whenever stress returned. I realized another powerful truth:

Working in a job or career you don’t love becomes a trigger.
When you force yourself into a life you don’t resonate with, your soul seeks escape.

So I made changes:

• Left the company of those who pulled me down.
• Took up Yoga and Pranayam — they brought temporary peace.
• But still, I smoked — until I came across a Yogic Gut Reset Kriya.

That kriya worked like magic — it cleansed my system, curbed cravings, and gave me clarity.

5. Building a Life of Purpose, Health & Joy

The final piece of the puzzle was doing what I truly loved. I stopped running away from problems and started facing them head-on.

Here’s what changed:

• 🌿 Morning walks and yoga became my non-negotiables.
• 🧘‍♂️ I lived more mindfully, embraced the present.
• 👥 Built real relationships, not drinking buddies.
• 💼 Switched to a career I was passionate about.
• 🧠 Found joy in conscious living, not chemical highs.

Final Thoughts – It’s Possible, If You Truly Want It

If you’re reading this and struggling with smoking or drinking, know this:

• You’re not weak.
• You’re not alone.
• You’re not addicted to cigarettes or alcohol — you’re addicted to avoiding pain.

But you can choose differently. Find a mentor, start a morning routine, change your environment, and most importantly — do what you love. Healing is not just about quitting substances. It’s about building a life where you don’t need them.

“Don’t escape life. Build one that feels so good you don’t need to escape.”

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