Welcome to Quit Train @Orion!
Can't say I have any experience myself with the drug you're taking (formerly Champix). I've only hear many mixed reviews about Champix from those who've tried it. Some have said it was fabulous and made quitting fairly easy for them and others have had issues with it than caused them to abandon taking it and try other quit aids. Seems it really depends on the person.
The one thing I can tell you is that quitting is hard, no matter how you approach it and in the end, whatever mathod you choose to quit by it will always boil down to desire & commitment. I found that those are the two things that I had to rely on during heavy cravings in the early part of my own quit. Basically just had to grit my teeth and ride out the storm. It doesn't last forever and ya know what? It didn't kill me either! Right or wrong, I firmly believe that ultimately those two mental qualities (desire & commitment) are what will get you through.
And, no matter how you do it, yes things will get better and yes, you'll get back to normal and even better that you're old normal Life is too precious to snuff it out by smoking.