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Yes, I still get smoking thoughts occasionally too. The addiction is dormant-but ready to come back to life even bigger if we unlock the door. The key is it's our choice-we don't have to act on the thought.When it happens to me, I think about all of the positive,great things about being an exsmoker. We know that there is nothing good about smoking. Your nicotine withdrawal is long over. Now you need to protect your quit. You know how!
the statistics for relapse drop dramatically at 2 years.
What triggered it? It's usually something traumatic or emotional or alcohol.
You might try to figure out what triggered the memory/want for a cigarette and plan what to do ahead of time for the next time it happens. Remember those slow, deep breaths you maybe practiced at the beginning of your quit. Time to dust them off and practice them a bit so they are available to you any time, any place. Remember above all else, no matter what your addict mind may tell you, that there is no such things as "just one" cigarette. It will awaken the addict within and in no time you can find yourself right back being an active smoker.
I'm glad you came here and blogged. Good job!
Stay committed!
Nancy
Congrats on 16 months , that i want a smoke slips up on us. don't let old nic catch you off graud.
Cravings still come up for me at odd moments. And I remember all those things I need to do to protect my quit. As if I were back at Day One. The same techniques need to be employed, yes, even after many years. So go back to your first few days of this journey and learn again what you need to do to stay free. DO NOT GIVE UP YOUR BEAUTIFUL QUIT. DO NOT!!!
Two seasons.....
I think that, as addicts, we are going to experience craves any time, any where forever, the important thing is what we do with those craves. Water is always good, distraction is always good, remember that quit kit each of us had at the beginning of our quits? We need to keep it available. Thank YOU for sharing your feelings and giving us all a reminder that this IS a journey.