May 28, 20233 yr Author 58 minutes ago, overcome said: Great job sticking with your quit! Be careful about alcohol early on (and later). Many have lost their quit due to drinking, myself included many times. Everyone is different, but I believe you have a ways to go to be done with cravings. Hang in there, you are doing awesome. Thanks!! I wasn't gonna smoke because I'm not buying any. I know everyone is different, I'm hoping that maybe in a month they will go away? I think about smoking most of the time which isn't good, but I can't help it.
May 28, 20233 yr 22 minutes ago, Sandi149 said: I think about smoking most of the time which isn't good, but I can't help it. That's totally normal and happened to all of us when we first quit. It's one of the most frustrating of withdrawal symptoms and could last a while but I can still remember the day I woke up and went through the morning without thinking about smoking. I woke up in a great mood and even sung in the shower lol. You'll get there too, I promise. Now, don't be so focused on whether you should be over it or not. You have to realize that you have a lot of triggers to get through from all those years of smoking. That's also why we recommend taking the One Year pledge to stick around your support so we can help you through the bad ones. They get easier the longer you are quit but you may have a crave with each one like yesterday with your friends. The good news is you did it smoke free so now the cravings will get weaker for that trigger 😊 Good job yesterday😊
May 28, 20233 yr 43 minutes ago, Sandi149 said: Thanks!! I wasn't gonna smoke because I'm not buying any. I know everyone is different, I'm hoping that maybe in a month they will go away? I think about smoking most of the time which isn't good, but I can't help it. One thing I can say for sure about my quit. While all the cravings were a nuisance, they do not get harder, with time the cravings got easier to deal with, until they are a quick passing thought and less frequent. Edited May 28, 20233 yr by overcome
May 28, 20233 yr We smoked for decades .. Feeding our addiction the amount we smoked every day ..its going to take time to undo all that .. Dont focus on how long ... It doesn't matter how long ... Your a wonderful non smoker.. Just embrace your success .. Every day your smoke free,is a massive achievement... Make sure you fill your time,keeping busy .. Take up a new hobby.. Well done ... I have to agree on the alcohol.. Ive seen so many good quits lost to a moment of madness ..
May 28, 20233 yr Author 1 hour ago, jillar said: That's totally normal and happened to all of us when we first quit. It's one of the most frustrating of withdrawal symptoms and could last a while but I can still remember the day I woke up and went through the morning without thinking about smoking. I woke up in a great mood and even sung in the shower lol. You'll get there too, I promise. Now, don't be so focused on whether you should be over it or not. You have to realize that you have a lot of triggers to get through from all those years of smoking. That's also why we recommend taking the One Year pledge to stick around your support so we can help you through the bad ones. They get easier the longer you are quit but you may have a crave with each one like yesterday with your friends. The good news is you did it smoke free so now the cravings will get weaker for that trigger 😊 Good job yesterday😊 What is the One Year pledge, and where do I find it? The last time I quit I used Chantix and it was so much easier. I didn't get very many urges like I am now, or at least they didn't last all day.
May 28, 20233 yr @Sandi149 the One Year Pledge is pinned to the top of the main forum page, here's the link: https://www.quittrain.com/topic/318-the-one-year-commitment/ I used Chantix before too and you're right. Unfortunately, my insurance didn't cover it so I didn't take it for the recommended amount of time and relapsed as soon as I stopped, about three weeks quit at that time. This time I quit cold turkey again because of insurance and if anything my whole first year sucked enough for me to never want to do it over again!
May 28, 20233 yr Sandi Check out all the green pinned posts on the main board ..there us tons of great information to help you along ..plus video,s .. They cover alot of concerns newbies may have .🐸
May 28, 20233 yr Author 1 hour ago, jillar said: @Sandi149 the One Year Pledge is pinned to the top of the main forum page, here's the link: https://www.quittrain.com/topic/318-the-one-year-commitment/ I used Chantix before too and you're right. Unfortunately, my insurance didn't cover it so I didn't take it for the recommended amount of time and relapsed as soon as I stopped, about three weeks quit at that time. This time I quit cold turkey again because of insurance and if anything my whole first year sucked enough for me to never want to do it over again! Back then insurance didn't cover it, but I had a coupon from Rite Aid at the time and it cost me around $120 a month for 3 months, but I bought it and stuck with it for the 3 month program. Although, it made me so nauseous in the morning for about 30 mins after I took the first pill. That part was really bad but it did go away after a while. I also had vivid dreams, not nightmares just almost like 3D dreams. Those were kind of cool...LOL!! The reason why I am not getting the Chantix now is because my insurance company doesn't know that I smoke and if I get the prescription from my doctor, they might drop me, so I can't take the chance.
May 28, 20233 yr Author There has got to be some sort of medication or substance that will take away the cravings. I don't want to go on the patch because all that will do is put nicotine back in my system, and I have been smoke free for almost 6 days. So, please folks, give me a suggestion on how to cut the cravings? I know, get a hobby, get busy. I don't have a hobby, but I take care of a family and have lots of chores, cooking, cleaning, laundry, etc., so I am quite busy! I need some sort of pill, medical thing, etc? It's 2023, there has got to be something that takes away these cravings??? 😬
May 28, 20233 yr 16 minutes ago, Sandi149 said: there has got to be something that takes away these cravings?? Time does sandy, just time. The air cigarette worked great for me though. Also eating something or sucking on a piece of candy to keep your mouth busy. Can't eat and smoke at the same time. I also found that if I went somewhere where I never smoked the craving would go away. For instance, I didn't smoke in my car so if I jumped in the car for a drive around the block the thoughts of smoking went away. You can find lots of sugar free candies to suck on. The lemon drops are pretty good
May 29, 20233 yr You are doing great! Every time you get through situations you used to smoke your way through without lighting up only makes you and your quit stronger. 💪🏻
May 29, 20233 yr Hi, Sandi. I am sorry that the cravings are agonizing. I can relate. I white-knuckled it through the early days of my quit, too. Some days were ok, others super sucked. It goes in waves. But if you stick with it, the cravings do diminish. I promise. In the meantime, notice the addiction at work in this idea, “I need some sort of pill, medical thing, etc.” As smokers, our entire lives revolved around getting our next fix. So it’s natural that you’re longing for a chemical solution to your discomfort. That’s your addiction kicking up a fuss. Grinding through those feelings is an important part of breaking away from the bondage of smoking. After 40 years of smoking, it takes a while to find other ways of coping. But you will find them. The most powerful healing antidote you can give yourself is time. Freedom and relief lie ahead. Hold tight to your quit and things will get better by degrees. You may feel like a hot mess, but you’re actually doing great! Like @Gus said, every crave conquered is making you stronger.
May 29, 20233 yr Hey Sandi, These amazing ppl speak the truth. I was also looking for a “magic” way that ppl use to help w the cravings. I’m only 3 months in but I already feel pretty good and have far less cravings than I had in months 1-2. It sucks at some points. You just keep going, keep crying, keep going through your day and then all of a sudden (mine was during a rainy day folding laundry watching golden girls in the background) you feel really frigging good abt not smoking and you realize why you’re doing this lol. The cravings still happen but way fewer and far between and it’s way less intense. How are u doing gf?
May 29, 20233 yr 7 hours ago, DenaliBlues said: In the meantime, notice the addiction at work in this idea, “I need some sort of pill, medical thing, etc.” As smokers, our entire lives revolved around getting our next fix. So it’s natural that you’re longing for a chemical solution to your discomfort. That’s your addiction kicking up a fuss. Grinding through those feelings is an important part of breaking away from the bondage of smoking. After 40 years of smoking, it takes a while to find other ways of coping. But you will find them. I love this! It’s so important for smokers to realize that they are addicts. That they are not only fighting the nicotine addiction but the danger of replacing it with another just so they can cope. Most of us didn’t start smoking as a crutch in dealing with life’s issues, but it surely ended up that way and now we have to learn healthy living behaviors. Not only physically, but mentally too.
May 29, 20233 yr The early days suck .. There is no magic pill...there is only Patience ,understanding this addiction .Learn all you can ..it will be your weapon ..you fight with Knowledge . The monster is trying to lure you back ..it knows its dying .. You fight it ,your stronger than him . Chew sugar free gum ..it will keep you busy ..it really helped me .. Keep going ..
May 29, 20233 yr Author 8 hours ago, DenaliBlues said: Hi, Sandi. I am sorry that the cravings are agonizing. I can relate. I white-knuckled it through the early days of my quit, too. Some days were ok, others super sucked. It goes in waves. But if you stick with it, the cravings do diminish. I promise. In the meantime, notice the addiction at work in this idea, “I need some sort of pill, medical thing, etc.” As smokers, our entire lives revolved around getting our next fix. So it’s natural that you’re longing for a chemical solution to your discomfort. That’s your addiction kicking up a fuss. Grinding through those feelings is an important part of breaking away from the bondage of smoking. After 40 years of smoking, it takes a while to find other ways of coping. But you will find them. The most powerful healing antidote you can give yourself is time. Freedom and relief lie ahead. Hold tight to your quit and things will get better by degrees. You may feel like a hot mess, but you’re actually doing great! Like @Gus said, every crave conquered is making you stronger. You mention time....I do understand but I'm an impatient person. I guess I better learn to have some patience! 😁
May 29, 20233 yr Author 1 hour ago, Brioski said: Hey Sandi, These amazing ppl speak the truth. I was also looking for a “magic” way that ppl use to help w the cravings. I’m only 3 months in but I already feel pretty good and have far less cravings than I had in months 1-2. It sucks at some points. You just keep going, keep crying, keep going through your day and then all of a sudden (mine was during a rainy day folding laundry watching golden girls in the background) you feel really frigging good abt not smoking and you realize why you’re doing this lol. The cravings still happen but way fewer and far between and it’s way less intense. How are u doing gf? Thanks, I am plugging along every day. Tomorrow will be a week that I haven't smoked!😁
May 29, 20233 yr You are doing great @Sandi149 you are no longer a slave to nicotine, be strong you are in a fight for your life. For me things got a little more stable .... easier after my first week, hopefully it will for you also.
May 30, 20233 yr Author 35 minutes ago, Brioski said: One more hour till you’re ONE WEEK!! 🥰 Woo hoo!!! Yippee!! LOL!! Today I really didn't have an urge at all...it was a good day as far as the urges go. Hopefully tomorrow will be the same! 😁
May 30, 20233 yr Yay @Sandi149, that's awesome! Hell week over and done and now on to heck week as we call week 2 ☺ Edited May 30, 20233 yr by jillar
May 30, 20233 yr Congratulations @Sandi149! You need never experience Hell Week again! On to Heck Week!
May 31, 20233 yr A positive attitude will make quitting much easier. Give yourself time to heal from the damage smoking has done.
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.