Give and get support around quitting
It has been one month since I quit. While that is exciting I just can't believe that I still have such frequent cravings. I know the physical addiction is not the issue, now it's the mental struggle. I know all there r no up sides to smoking, but I still struggle with the cravings. How long will this go on & I wonder if there t other strategies to fight this mental battle.
You need to distract yourself through any craves. You can take a bite out of a lemon (yup - rind and all), put your head in the freezer and take a deep breath of cold air, do a few jumping jacks, go for a brisk walk or march in place, play a computer game. Don't let that smoking thought rattle around in your brain unchallenged. Sometimes you need to quit a minute or an hour at a time. You will need to be disciplined in the early days (and 30 days is still pretty early) to distract yourself when a crave hits. Get busy! Here is a link to a list of things to do instead of smoke if you need some fresh ideas:
The conversation in your head in response to the "I want a cigarette" thought needs to be, "Well, since I have decided not to do that anymore, what shall I do instead for the three minutes this crave will last?" Then DO it. You will need to put some effort into this, but it gets easier and easier to do. Don;t let that craving thought rattle around in your head unchallenged.
Nancy
I had terrible cravings around the 30 day mark. I know it wasn't true, but it seemed like everyone else here on EX was cruising along after 3 or 4 weeks with no cravings, and I thought something was wrong with me. Everyone is different, but my craves came and went in clusters between around 40 days to 85 days. Since then, the days between have grown longer and the intensity is much less.
You'll probably get a lot of tips on relieving strategies. Deep breathing and chewing on coffee stir sticks worked best for me.
Hi! Welcome to NML (No Man's Land)! Some people do report stronger craves after 30 days than before. Nancy's information is very helpful. You may also want to read the following to help you through and help you know what to expect or what you may experience.
/blogs/jonescarp.aka.dale.Jan_2007-blog/2011/06/26/what-to-expect-in-the-first-four-months
Yes, no mans land..................
I am about right where you are. I am on day 32. The cravings just creep up out of no where!
We just have to keep keepin on......find the distraction. It is hard. After smoking for so long, it is just a habit to go have a smoke. Keep hanging in there! I know I have to also.
Joy
Awesome, I can't say that loud enough! Congratulations on one month. You are working your quit.
I differ on the view of when the addiction is gone, and do not see the absence of nicotine as the absence of addiction. I prefer to think of addiction to nicotine (especially long term addiction) as being a system of addiction. Repetition, habituation, memory, cross linking activities to cigs--these are all components of addiction. Your brain is still recovering. I shy away from the idea that it's all psychological (meaning that if when your attitude is right you will feel better). It's about time, support, action (do stuff that helps you to feel better).
No doubt you have made progress and have worked your quit-high five for that. Yes you can because you have and you are!
You are BOTH entering No Man's Land...it gets better, no one can tell you the exact number of days it will take because it varies for different people but NML is until about day 130 and it is a time when your supporters and YOU, yourself, think you should be "over" it. This is an addiction and recovery is a journey, not an event, one day at a time, one hour at a time...sometimes, one minute at a time. The more craves you get past, the stronger you will get and the weaker THEY will get. It DOES get better...try to be patient with yourself, you are recovering from a really serious addiction and there are no short cuts, no way to speed things up. OldBones-Larry says "One step and then another, will get you to where you want to be." Read some of roller831's NML blogs that she writes on Wednesdays. I strongly recommend that you read JonesCarpeDiem's blog /blogs/jonescarp.aka.dale.Jan_2007-blog/2011/06/26/what-to-expect-in-the-first-four-months afriedh1 and ahhshucks Congratulations to BOTH of you. The journey goes on and it is well worth it!
Ellen
The Good News about NML is that there are good days in there so celebrate as much as you can. Find the positive! This is when being a Happy Quitter really paid off for me!
Things will get Better and Better and I promise you it will be totally worth it!
Don't give up! The hardest is behind you - you sure don't want to start over again!