What is up with the craving????

[tcollinskeo]

Today is day 9 and I was expecting a fairly easy go of it.  But that has not been the case.  I have just put down the unlit cigarette and decided NO to taking just a couple of puffs.   It doesn't get any closer than that !

It is Day 9 without smoking and over 4 days without any type of nicotine at all.  So there should not be a literal craving, this has to be all in the mind.  I want control of my mind!!  This Brain Chatter is giving me fits.  

I managed to come in from work without smoking.  Most of the day was spent thinking about "just one cigarette. "  I picked up a cigarette and thought I would light it.  Here starts that brain chatter crap again.  Okay, just sit down and read some blogs before you light it.  (cravings, cravings, cravings)  How will you feel after that first puff?  (cravings, cravings, cravings)  You can't take it back if you light it.... and then what will you say to your friends on the EX site? ( Nicodemon hard at work still....  cravings)  Read some more, ahhhh found the post with a link to the one puff files and then I FINALLY got rid of the cigarette.  

This site truly does work and helps to keep me smoke free.  I am tired and frustrated, but still smoke free and nicotine free.  I am going to take a nap and see if this is not better afterwards.

Thanks for being there and posting!

[bridget5]

You sound just like me but stronger - the couple puffs does nothing but make it seem like you did not do anything all day- all week - all month- for me I am not sure what the hell that means but I know it is nothing compared to what I did almost two months ago.  Its a process  - different for most - but you did great and you are right this site and the dear people on here are your inspiration but also makes you accountable.  I feel like I can not lie to anyone on here - and I want people who are cheering me on to be proud of me - who  doesn't feel good with that.   Hope your nap helps.

[here4help]

Do anything BUT smoke...you've done really well so please don't give in to the urges!!  I'm a little over 12 weeks in to it and it does get better, I promise.....keep that strong desire to stay QUIT and I promise you, if you do give in to the urge to light up, you will be highly upset with yourself...more upset than you are now with not lighting up....stay strong....I have faith in ya'!!

[joe57]

I have been told that even though the nicotine leaves your body within 72 hours that the pyhsical cravings last a bit longer so get used to it for a while.  I am on Day 56 and never really had any cravings/urges/temptations.  Maybe that was the Chantix at work.  But I would think of smoking/quitting almost all the time at the beginning - like what you call chatter.  Anyway, for me the chatter has eased but it is still there.

So what's the deal with you having a cigarette in your hand?  The best advice that I or anyone can give you is to GET RID OF ALL CIGARETTES NOW.  If you don't, you are only setting yourself up for relapse.

Keep hanging there.

[daisy6]

I'm on day 24 & fought cravings all day today. Go back and read about how nicotine changes your brain. It is not all in your head. Your pleasure reseptors will not go back to normal until you have been smoke free for 3 months.Smoking just 1 cigarette will only prolong (if not totally destroy) your progress. Stay strong. You are right about this site. It helps so much.

[pig_brotha]

tc, I can’t speak for any of the animals in the barnyard but this pig still wakes up at 5:30 AM and shouts “Marlboro!!!!” each morning but, I slip back to dreamland with a big ol grin on my snout knowing that my mind is weak but my will is strong. Eventually the craving will end but we can’t let it overcome the end result. I’m going to have cravings and I’m going to overcome them so it is what it is. Ying, yang, and all those thangs…

It’s worth it so, stay strong. PB 

[onelasttime]

Go to quitsmokingonline.com it explains the mind addiction very good

[lewis65]

It's really hard right now, BUT the craving WILL pass---promise!!! : ) 

[jackie6]

whyquit explains it very well i truly believe information/education is key to successful quit once you divorce yourself from the actual cigarette and come to know its just the nicotine delivery device it makes it soooooooo much easier because really your not craving the "cigarette" its the nicotine good luck on your wonderful journey to your FREEDOM just remember FREEDOM IS CALLING ALL WE HAVE TO DO IS SIMPLY CHOOSE TO NEVER TAKE ANOTHER PUFF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!..........................I have been quit for 2 Years, 6 Months, 4 Days, 10 hours, 53 minutes and 58 seconds (919 days). I have saved $9,608.28 by not smoking 50,569 cigarettes. I have saved 5 Months, 3 Weeks, 1 Day, 14 hours and 5 minutes of my life. My Quit Date: 8/21/2007 7:58 AM

[tcollinskeo]

Thanks to all of you for the support.  I am in a better frame of mind now.  Thanks for the quitsmokingonline tip, it does explain the mind addiction better.  And I threw the cigs in the trash.    :0)