Cravings Last Hours

[Elyse_x]

An ex-smoker recently told me, "a cigarette craving lasts 180 seconds." (???)

My cravings last all day long!!!!!!!! Can this be true?? 

The cravings make me so impatient and so emotional- I am at my worst when I want a cigarette. I talk about it all day. I have not bought a pack since the new year (almost a month!) but am dependent on Nicorette. It seems like satisfying the nicotine craving is only PART of the problem- I really liked actually smoking. I understand that I have to stop, it's been nearly ten years since I started. Almost none of my friends smoke anymore- they all quit and now its just me. 

Do cravings actually have time limits? Is this just psychological? 

[JACKIE1-25-15]

Could it be the Nicorette?  Which is just an aide to be used for a short period of time?  You say you are dependent on it.  Please note that you are still putting nicotine in your system.  Therefore your withdrawal will not be complete until you stop putting nicotine in your system.  Now you have to find something to keep your hands busy to distract. 

 /blogs/Youngatheart.7.4.12-blog/2013/02/25/100-things-to-do-instead-of-smoke?sr=search&searchId=e95a...‌  Education is the key to a successful quit. 

[crazymama_Lori]

you are still feeding your brain nicotine and it wants more and wants it faster.  When we smoked, it was delivered quickly.  Take notice of how many and when you pop Nicorette.  Try to put it off just a few minutes longer.  the main key in the beginning is distraction.  Occupy your mind when thoughts pop up.  Do puzzles, games on your phone/laptop, take up coloring.  I've never been a fan of gum and lozenges because I think they reinforce the hand to mouth association with smoking, but if it's working for you, then so be it.  I was the queen of fighting the quit tooth and nail.  Now having been quit 3 years, I realized I was the one making it more difficult than it has to be.  It was easier on my end if I started thinking of quitting as a science experiment and noticing when and how long those thoughts swirled around in my head.  I just kept telling myself this will pass, this will pass.  The cravings won't hang around forever.  Exactly how long really is up to you.  Use the magnifying glass and search for nicotine and addiction.  Loads of blogs and links on different articles to read.  The first year your brain has to readjust itself.  https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/groups/newbie-quitters/blog/2017/03/01/new-members-welcome is something I wrote and has a quick video to watch which emphasizes on the brain and how it works and then some other links 

[anaussiemom]

Truth!!



meaning you can change the brain and relearn thinking, which causes new feelings and new thinking !!
Fill an emotional tool box with things to do and nibble on

[elvan]

I think the psychological addiction is much more powerful than the physical addiction.  I DIDN'T like smoking, I hated the smell, I hated feeling like an outcast, I hated feeling like I wasn't as smart as I would like to think I am.  Quitting is a journey and not an event, remember that.  Those craves are not orders to smoke...they are everything the people above me have told you.  I came to this site every morning and every evening and I read blogs, I read everything I could find about nicotine addiction.  This IS an addiction and it takes time to recover.  I felt much like you do when I was new here, I quit cold turkey so it wasn't that I was feeding myself nicotine, although I have nothing against NRT's.  I would have thoughts of smoking or rather NOT SMOKING that seemed to last all day.  I wondered if it would ever stop.  My husband is a recovering alcoholic (34+ years), I asked him if he had any idea what would help.  He told me to get down on my knees and pray for God to take away the mental obsession.  I cannot say that I had much faith in it but he kept emphasizing that it would not work if I did not get down on my knees and he said I might have to do it more than once.  I DID have to do it more than once but it DID help...much more than I could ever have imagined.

Don't romance the cigarettes, they never did anything FOR you but if you keep smoking...they sure can do a lot TO you.

Congratulations on your quit.

Ellen