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I decided to give it some thought on how to reduce the cravings and here are some of my thoughts.
A lot of people say when they give up, food becomes a substitute so they prevent cravings by eating, well I have taken this one step further. I have Went on a diet at the same time. The craving for food far out weighs the craving for nicotine, Craving for food is normal and I am able to handle it better.
For a smoker not having and ciggies is a cause for panic, so I have a pack sitting here. Just a case of using will power not to have one. that way I know they are here , I just need to work on will power not to have one.
Anyone else gave up and wish to share some tips.
Also, If you are a smoker why not give up with me!
Mack.
I'm fully prepared:
Patches, inhalers and the nose squirting thing.
My big probelm in the past has been a month later, after I quit. I would become depressed and just sit in a chair. Awful feeling. Just sat there and thought how awful life had become.
It was so odd because the first week was a breeze!
Anyway, the Doc said it was depression setting in...and thus the Wellbutrin.(Anti-depressant)
Now, here is the cool part:
He allowed me to take Wellbutrin (instead of Zyrtec) and the cost was only about $30 US for 60 tablets. That's about a dollar a day. Zyrtec was almost 4-5 times the price. Same drug, different reasons for taking it.
An interesting side effect is very few arguments anymore with the wife (she's taking the same). We both noted that we don't seem to get as bothered about things that used to really tick us off.
Anyway, I may still be smoking by PubCon, but I am trying to quit.
<<edited out "By any way possible."
I can see some serious problems occurring in London if my smokes are tampered with.:>)/edit>>
[edited by: ScottM at 10:17 pm (utc) on Sep. 3, 2003]
None of those chemicals worked for me. I used to smoke with a patch on my arm. The patch would get me through meetings with non-smoking clients. Soon as I got out it was time to light up and get a double dose of nicotine.
I do allow myself to enjoy a whiff of second-hand smoke now and then. Reminds me of the old days. I still get a little buzz on it. No complaints if you smoke in my presence, just not in my house or car.
I think it's 3-4 days until you are officially no longer *physically* addicted
Actually, it's about three to four weeks. But if you hang on, you don't need patches or gum or whatever. It's an incredible relief when you realise that the craving has gone - total liberation!
Eventually, you forget that you ever were a smoker. I know intellectually that I was, for a very long time, but trying to think of myself actually inhaling is wierd. I don't really remember it as having happened to me. But I do remember the sense of relief, once I escaped the addiction, that I didn't have to worry about whether I had any tobacco on me and not having to make excuses to leave non-smoking areas. It's like geting your life back.
From the National Institutes of Health, it varies:
When the rats were taken off nicotine, however, intensities of electrical current had to be increased by more than 40 percent before the rats again found them to be pleasurable. Brain reward sensitivity was affected for at least 4 days and some rats did not return to baseline for over 2 weeks.
So you're physically less senstive to nice stimulus for a period of time during withdrawls, explaining why people trying to quit act like such notoriously short tempered jerks. :) (These were rats who'd been "smoking" the equivalent of 1.5 packs a day for a period of weeks beforehand.)
But this last one was permanent. Been about 7 or 8 years since I've smoked. I think the difference was that I finally made the decision on a really deep level. Told myself that non-smokers just don't smoke. And if I'm going to be a non-smoker then I just won't smoke. Period. And you know I kind of got emotional (sad) about it -> you mean never ever again? Not even a hit on New Years Eve? Never ever?. It was like saying goodbye to someone you love knowing you'll never see them again.
And it wasn't easy. Had to make the decision again each time I craved a cig: in the car, after eating, drinking alcohol, stress, etc... but over time the cravings got weaker and eventually disapeared altogether. All I miss is the excuse to go outside and chat with other people (I'm in California, can't smoke inside).
Stick with it mack. It's one of the best things you'll ever do for yourself. Smoking gives you nothing positive.
I don't remember this bit, but I do remember being very sensitive to pain in the first couple of weeks after my last cigarette. Small knocks felt like massive bruises and my muscles ached after the slightest exercise. But the effect faded.
I had to find things to do with my hands
I been smoking for 6 years now @ a pack a day..and am 23 now :(....And never tried to quit either :(
But i just think, if i dont smoke, i got nothing useful to do..If i walk on the streets or drive in the car or having a coffee...my other hand just got nothing to hold..too bad..
Another pretty importaint issue is finding something to do as soon as the craving hits. It surprized me just how easy it is to replace the craving with another activiy. Like today, felt the need for a smoke, so I washed the car. Takes your mind of it for an hour.
Today was a bit of an up and down day. feeling good because I am getting there, but also had a few cravings. The cravimgs themselfes arent as bad as I thought, and are pretty easy to avoid if you keep active.
5 days so far. Not had a smoke and lost 3LB in weight.
Mack.
