Intense cravings are back

[Pilgrim]

I'll be 3 months quit on the 10th. For the last few days I've been having cravings and even physical withdrawal sensations. I'm starting to picture myseld smoking again. Wtf is this?!

 

I'm going to go for a jog today and do some reflecting. 

[Cbdave]

Gday

My thoughts on cravings are simple.

I don’t hide from them I acknowledge them. “Yep that’s a craving”

And wait.

5mins and I’m still here. Where’s the craving now…… Gone.

If it comes back it’s a shadow of its former self.

[QuittingGirl]

It can and does happen unfortunately @Pilgrim .  I got them too in the beginning months and even now I sometimes get them, but it's not a physical urge more of a mental urge but it passes in a few seconds.  We are always an addict and the temptation is there, but as @Cbdave said, acknowledge them and wait and then the cravings are gone.  The longer you stay quit, the less they will become.  I am so happy you didn't give in to them!  You are doing really well so keep up the good work!!!

[GonSo]

Hi Pilgrim, today I am 9 months smoke free. Also today I had serious computer issues. I had cravings for hours, adding to the frustration. But going back to smoking is not fixing my computer.

 

I think the first years we will have cravings. Expected and unexpected.

Stay strong!!!

[SD2026]

You're doing so well @Pilgrim to get to almost 3 months and the cravings you are getting can take you off guard especially when you think you're over the worst! I agree with @Cbdave, acknowledge them! They do pass and when./if they come back, keep acknowledging them but you know you're stronger than that, you mustn't give in! 

 

I too have had a few cravings or so I think  they are cravings but the thought was there which scared me as I feel confident now that I can't ever go back but it still DOES hit you!  

 

I'm glad you posted here to let us know, it shows you're not going to give in, it always helps to reach out when this happens!  

 

I hope you're feeling a better now! 

[Reciprocity]

@Pilgrim; this is a pretty well known event among quitters - serious return of hard cravings that make you think ... WTF?

It's also referred to as part of the 3's. Three days into your quit is often the hardest day; three weeks into your quit is where many struggle because you think you should be over it by then but you're beginning to realize, there's still work to do and you still have to remain on guard to fight those cravings that are becomming less frequent but now come out of nowhere which is a little frightening. Then at three months, quitting is becoming a real slog and you think you should be done with it by now. Your brain is tired from dealing with all that quitting throws at you. The 3 month make is where you have entered "No Man's Land". You're no longer a smoker and you're not sure you're really quit yet. It's a period of time that really tests your resolve!

This is when you need to reflect back on why you wanted to quit in the first place and renew your committment to the task, no matter what and believe what ALL of us more senior quitters will tell you ... it WILL & DOES get better if you just gather all your mental strenght and push forward further. You're near the end of the really tough part of your quit; so stick with it. You've invested way too much to go back now!

[Minnie Mouse]

Smoking thoughts are just that ... thoughts ... not a command to yourself to smoke.  Tell yourself NO and do whatever it takes to move past them.

 

I agree with the suggestion to acknowledge them.  I used to say "Oh, Hello there!" to mine and then laugh/chuckle out loud at them.  I also found the three's to be a trigger and with you coming up on your 3-month anniversary it makes sense.  Forewarned is forearmed.  

 

Such thoughts/memories/triggers will get less and less with time and patience if you just don't smoke.  NOPE.  Not One Puff Ever.  Don't give in to them.  Never another Day One!

 

(You can borrow my bamm bamm bat.  lol)

 

 

[DenaliBlues]

 

So sorry you are having another wave of cravings @Pilgrim.  As @QuittingGirl said, it’s not physical at this point - it’s psychological. Addict mind lurks in the tall grass, hoping to catch us unawares. 

 

But you don’t need to give in! You’ve built all kinds of strong quitting muscles now. You know like @Minnie Mouse says that cravings are not commands. They’re just noise. And your quit is too precious to throw away. 

 

So let those cravings drift on by, like a bad smell that the wind blows away. Going for a run is a great idea, as is staying connected to this forum.

 

NOPE!

 

 

[Doreensfree]

This is the nature of the beast 

It’s trying to lure you back , it knows it will die if you keep quit 

Tell it to bugger off 

Your not falling for  that trap again 

The longer you quit the more it will fade 

Keep going

 

[Pilgrim]

What a wave of compassionate, encouraging support. Thanks to each of you!

 

KtQ!

[QuittingGirl]

How's it going @Pilgrim?  I hope you are still KTQ!

[catlover]

Yep tell them craves to bugger off, You are in charge now.

[Pilgrim]

@QuittingGirl I'm still getting the cravings occasionally. They're physical, they're an uncomfortable pinch of loss - but I recognize them for exactly what they are and push through.

 

KtQ!

[QuittingGirl]

The longer you stay quit, the less cravings you will have! 

[Pilgrim]

I'm embarrassed to be posting this but the truth is I'm really craving a cigarette. I've been feeling like smoking all morning and I can't shake it. I keep reminding myself that it's never just 1, all the reasons why it's stupid and why I quit, and yet the urge remains.

I lost my friend yesterday to cancer (not smoking-related) and I think my mind is telling myself a cigarette would be comforting...

Anyway, I'm trying to stay strong and not give in. 

[GonSo]

Please do yourself a favor and stay strong. Very sorry for the loss of your friend. But unfortunately those things happen in life.

 

Stay strong, it is no comfort. Your brain is lying to you.

 

[Minnie Mouse]

Nothing to be embarrassed about.  That's how we ride the merry-go-round after we quit in the early days.  Life events are absolute triggers where our thoughts tend to run in loops in our mind.  Keep kicking the thought(s) out and use your tools no matter how many times you have to do it and for as long as you need to do it.  It will "eventually" pass if you just don't smoke.  Smoke and you'll be back to the starting gate again.  You can do this!  Say NO to yourself.  Great job posting.  

 

 

[DenaliBlues]

Thanks for sharing that today is a struggle @Pilgrim. And I am really sorry for the loss of your friend.

 

Posting here instead of smoking is a great coping strategy. It not only helps you, it’s helpful for others who are white-knuckling for whatever reason.

 

At this stage you are still rebuilding your toolkit for self soothing without smoking, which takes a little time. But it’s also a good creative challenge, to think of things you can do that feel comforting.

 

Distraction is also key. As is repeating the list of reasons you don’t want to pick up again. Smoking won’t actually be gratifying, nor will it bring back your friend or solve any problems. The only thing smoking will do is make you want more smokes. No thanks. 

 

You can make it! Hang in there. 

 

[SD2026]

10 hours ago, Pilgrim said:

I'm embarrassed to be posting this but the truth is I'm really craving a cigarette. I've been feeling like smoking all morning and I can't shake it. I keep reminding myself that it's never just 1, all the reasons why it's stupid and why I quit, and yet the urge remains.

I lost my friend yesterday to cancer (not smoking-related) and I think my mind is telling myself a cigarette would be comforting...

Anyway, I'm trying to stay strong and not give in. 

I'm sorry you lost your friend @Pilgrim   You've nothing to be embarrassed about by admitting what all of us went/is going through also! Everyone on this forum totally gets it!

 

You did the right thing posting here and well done for staying strong and not giving in!  I saw that you pledged NOPE today! 

[Reciprocity]

Sorry to hear about your friend @Pilgrim  That's a tough thing to get through and made even worse wheen your addiction decides to attack your mind at the same time but that's exactly what shaking this addiction is all abou. Learning to stand up for what you know is the smart thing to do, especially when those strong urges come calling. It's hard to maintain your strength against the addiction when you're in a weak moment but you simply MUST! You know smoking will do NO good and won't even make you feel better, in fact, quite the opposite.

 

Stay the course man! It's really important!! 

[Doreensfree]

I’m sorry for your loss

Life throws us some crap curve balls 

Stay strong , you will be so mad if you lose your wonderful Quit 

Smoking won’t change what had happened 

Stay close to the board

[johnny5]

I'm sorry for your loss, Pilgrim.  Lighting up a cigarette willl not make anything betterr, only far worse.  You will regret smoking and be back to where you were when you were when you quit.  Keep the quit, you will not regret it.