oneguy - 10:22 am on Jun 7, 2006 (gmt 0)

...gave up smoking in May.

But somehow I want to give it a few more months

Yeah, that wasn't that long ago. Give it more time. Addictions can screw up brain chemistry pretty good.

I like plenty of alcohol with my tobacco, and tobacco with my alcohol. If one goes, both have to go. I've done lots of both for long periods of time, and have done neither for long periods of time. Right now, I'm doing neither.

There always seems to be at least a few months of very withdrawn behavior after stopping. I might not leave the house, answer phone calls, or even (gasp) check email for several days at a time.

The things I do to help are activities that produce good brain chemical highs. Intense weightlifting helps, but can only be done a few times per week. Sex helps. Playing sports helps, particularly something like raquetball or basketball. ...Competitive and not much time for stopping.

Eventually, the withdrawn stuff goes away. I'm happier, friendlier, and more willing to strike up conversations in public than I was before quitting.

People talk about the physical withdrawal a lot, and it's a hump to get over for certain. It takes much longer for your nervous system and digestive system (and probably other systems) to adjust. Definitely, give it some more time.