Chamois and quiting

I had my last cigarette on feb 12. Quit using champix but stopped taking my prescription 3 days or so after quitting. Initially the side effects were mild, a little nausea if I didn't eat with the pill, a little spaciness here and there. After what was day 11 of the starter pack I lost the compulsion to smoke entirely. Basically I was halfway through a smoke and I just put it down and walked away. I felt I was important to expose myself to all the things reformed smokers avoid (other smokers, alcohol, coffee etc) as I figured avoiding these thing would just create more issues. Since quitting I've had moments of craving but the were just that -moments- you have to put yourself into the mentality that you cannot ever have another smoke. And you can't smoke ANYTHING. A friend of mine is taking champix and has quit cigs but not marijuana. This is not acceptable and is not only a gateway back into smoking but is actually worse for your lungs!!! Quitting is going to be as difficult as you make it for yourself.But now, champix. The dreams were fun, and I could deal with the nausea. I had started to feel a bit down, sort of sad. My doctor had asked me (without explanation) whether I had a history of mental illness or suicidal throughts before prescribing me the drug. My chemist had suggested that there may be a link between champix and depression, but that it was more likely the withdrawals from nicotine. They both told me the drug worked by suppressing nicotine receptors in the brain. This is wrong. Champix basically stimulates those receptors to constantly produce dopamine which supercedes the effects of nicotine and removes the high from smoking. Unfortunately dopamine is a mood enhancer and can be vey problematic if you have a predisposition to psychosis. Neither professional advised me against drinking ( it is written in the paperwork that comes with your script) while on the drug. I found out the hard way that drinking on champix can cause psychotic episodes. In fact upon further research after my experience I found that I am lucky to be alive. There are over 55 reported suicides linked to champix and they all tell the same story: nice person, had a couple of drinks, exhibited fits of rage, then killed themselves. I was extremely lucky to have had eyes on me during my episode and I shudder to think what could have happened. Also my skin broke out in pimples and a cold sore that lasted two weeks and until I stopped taking the drug. Months later I still get a few dreams and definitely still feel the effect when I drink. The drug works but be extremely careful! I'm one of the lucky ones. My final note is just that in the us after these reports of suicide and psychosis the FDA slapped a big black warning label on it. Please consult THOUROUGHLY with you gp before you decide to do the course.