Does it ever get easier?

[blh123]

I am on day 5 of not smoking, and I thought it was getting a little easier until last night. For no reason whatsoever, I woke up in the middle of the night feeling worse than I have in 2 days - the craving just literally hit me. I have been desperately trying to figure out what to expect (I don't do surprises well), and I just can't seem to figure out exactly how long this tough part will last. I decided to quit cold turkey after smoking for almost 17 years - 1 pack a day. I felt emotionally ready (so I thought), but it seems to sneak up at random times. I would LOVE to hear your experiences the first week or so - is this normal? (also - first time in 17 years I have honestly tried to quit, too - I am a little stubborn)

[whiterabbit2]

My best advice to you (myself on day 3; 15 yrs/pack day) is apologize to everyone you live with beforehand and then just go cuckoo bananas. A friend of mine said that 3 weeks is a good point where things start to calm down, other people have told me, including a RPN, said that around 2 weeks most people have a better grip on the situation.

I'm using the lozenge and some as-needed benzodiazapenes (the latter only for the 1st two weeks - talked with my doc about it), and that's helped the shock of the cravings be more bearable - so kudos to you for being able to take it cold turkey. The cravings are AWFUL and I hate how one woke you up in the middle of the night.

Hang in there, though. One at a time, just one at a time... or so they're telling me;) Quitting SUCKS.

[sarai2]

Believe it or not I had anxiety attacks.  Two attacks were pretty bad.  I couldn't stop crying and had to make a call.  People in this group helped ALOT.    I'm on day 36.  Alot has settled down for now.   I'm not really happy but I am satisfied.  I know I made the right choice because of the copd.  I just wish I was more jovial.  It is a constant in my life right now to remind myself not to smoke.    It does get better.  This day is good tomorrow will be better....imagine 3 months, 3 yrs from now WOW!

[Yaya2.6.10]

Yes, it will get better.  The hard part for those of us who like to plan ahead is that craves will appear out of no where just when you think you've got it licked.  The good news is that each time you ride it out, the easier it is the next time.  Take it in small chunks of time and they will add up like mine have - yesterday was 17 months for me.

[barbt12-30-2015]

Get the book or the download of Allen Carr's Easy Way to Quit Smoking it may save your life. It did mine. It explains alot.

Barb

[jackie6]

hello and welcome to your FREEDOM!!! mmight i suggest why quit its a cold turkey site if you arm your self with information you may start to embrace your quit.  why quit gave me the tools to beat a 2 1/2 pack a day for 35 + years addiction to nicotine. there may be something there to help you as  well i am a firm beliver in information is the key to a successful quit ..........I have been quit for 3 Years, 10 Months, 2 Weeks, 3 Days, 6 hours, 3 minutes and 59 seconds (1,416 days). I have saved $14,799.83 by not smoking 77,893 cigarettes. I have saved 8 Months, 3 Weeks, 6 Days, 11 hours and 5 minutes of my life. My Quit Date: 8/21/2007 7:00 AM........... my stats say it all because i will tell you nobody liked their cigerattes more then i did!!!!Good luck on your journey to your FREEDOM!!!!!

[Strudel]

Welcome to the site! Congrats on your quit! Reading and getting educated, even after you have quit, can be very helpful. Please read - blogs here, the free course at:   http://quitsmokingonline.com/ and Allen Carr's book - "The Easy Way To Stop Smoking" -

 free download -   http://joga.365.lt/Allen-Carr_Easy-Way-To-Stop-Smoking_Download-free-PDF-EBook

It WILL get better! I smoked for 40 years - this was my first and last quit! I quit 389 days ago!! You can do this!! And - it will get better! Just be sure to stick around!

[JonesCarpeDiem]

https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/blogs/jonescarp.aka.dale.Jan_2007-blog/2011/06/26/what-to-expect-...

[lynette9]

Hey, you're in the midst of "Hell Week"..... ok, so the first week is hell. But yeah, it DEFINITELY gets better. Now, I smoked 40 yrs and believe me, if I can do it, you can, too.

Read, read READ.....get your quit kit together. Make sure you're prepared for a crave by having things handy. You really can do this, you know....

And boy, you've got a ton of support here. If you feel you're going to cave, blog here. Even in the middle of the night. Somebody is usually here. Just know.....

[Giulia]

Surprises are a part of the game, I'm afraid.  Speaking of my own five and some year quit here.  That's why you always have to be prepared.  I don't do surprises well either.  But if I know that that's part of the scenario I can accept it.  Yes, surprise craving are gonna come when you least expect them.  Out of the blue.  So you need to think about that and accept that and be prepared for that.  For example:  I was several years into my quit and wasn't thinking nor craving cigarettes AT ALL - when suddenly something pulled my trigger.  And wham!  Hello.  I want a cigarette.  And at that moment I wanted it...almost...as much as I did in the beginning of my quit.  It took me aback, actually, at how strong it was.  But I just rested in the fact that I had a whole lot of smoke-free time under my belt and there was NO WAY I was gonna give that up.  "I will not smoke, no matter what," was my mantra.  And I held to it.  And I am still smoke free because of it. 

Yes, it gets easier.  But not in five days, not necessarily in 10.  There is no specific time when it "gets easier."  It's all individual.  There is no magic line you cross when suddenly all cravings end.  It's a gradual, subtle alteration.  Can you hang in for the duration?  Can you hang in until it DOES get easier?  Are you willing to do that?  If you are - then you will succeed.  Be stubborn in your quit and you will not fail.  We know you can do it.  Because there are a whole bunch of us on here who have.  And we have faith in you.