#The longest I had stopped before was three months and during that time the cravings were constant and severe. Is this normal and what can I do?
#The longest I had stopped before was three months and during that time the cravings were constant and severe. Is this normal and what can I do?
Thank you I've tried so many times before I that I;m scared of another failure.
You are NOT alone I failed tons of trying on MY OWN .... NOW I take ALL the SUGGESTIONS given to ME today and READ DR HAYS EXPERT ADVICE ON TRIGGERS OR ON THE MIND NEW THINKING.... Dr Hays has years of PROFESSIONAL ADVICE working for years with NICOTINE addicts.... its your CHOICE rbrown53 to face your fears of the unknown and believe with NEW hope and YOUR CHOOSING a NEW life style to live Not One Puff Ever... aka N.O.P.E! IF you rbrown53.... BELIEVE.... WE... more than you OLD way of thinking ... NEW way of thinking it is a better healthier CHOICE than doing it alone... WE is stronger and easier to face OUR FEARS of the unknown TOGETHER... you rbrown53 are doing it !!!! CONGRATS!
Trust me, I highly doubt this is the first quit for many people here. I'm calling this quit my millionth time because I have literally quit more times than I can remember, but this time will be different. It will be the last time I have to go through this thanks to the Ex community. In the past I quit for a day, a week, a month, several months, a year, I think the longest was 15 months. Why did I go back to the death sticks? Various reasons and situations that triggered my mind that I wanted a smoke. We all know that smoking just one can lead the way back to a pack a day all too quickly. I was terrified to stop smoking, to never being 'able' to smoke again, and failing one more time breaking a promise to my family, the millionth promise I made to stop. But this time will be different. This time I'm in control because this time I have educated myself about the psychology of quitting smoking. Once we're through the physical withdrawal symptoms, the rest is 'all in our heads'. I now know my triggers, I know more about my how my moods affect me and try to convince me that I want to smoke. The difference between this quit and all the other ones is all the knowledge I've gained from this site and the support from all these glorious, wonderful people on Ex. Being scared of failure CAN work in your favor. It CAN open your eyes to the reality of how badly your are addicted to the nicodemon. Once your eyes are open you can begin the learning and healing process. Yes I still have a craving pop up from time to time, sometimes every day depending on my mood, but I can identify why I'm having it and how to think and act to defend myself from giving in to it. You CAN do this if you learn as much as you can, get support, and ASK FOR HELP! Pobody's Nerfect so if you slip, don't get mad or discouraged. Put your pants back on one leg at a time and march forward from there. We're here for you.
Julie
92 Glorious days without a monkey on my back
Recommending 12 minute video --link below.
This video was produced by a doc in Canada and he offers an overview of quitting in the most sensible (it is not a how to, or why to, or must do video --but a focused and understandable) What is the Single Best Thing You Can Do to Quit Smoking? - YouTube
Thank you for posting maryfreecig, I liked his summary and it might be helpful at any time during our journey!
Welcome to our community!
Sounds to me like you were "white knuckling" your quit; fighting with yourself over and over not to smoke and you plumb wore yourself OUT! There is ANOTHER way. I wrote a blog a bit ago that you might find helpful: For Our New Years' Quitters (and community members, too) Education, preparation, planning and commitment (not willpower!) are the cornerstones of a successful quit. I think you will be amazed at what you don't know about this addiction, and about why willpower is not the answer to quitting.
Get busy reading! I am glad you are here - we can help!
Nancy
Thank you
Welcome rbrown53! In answer to your first question, unfortunately yes you WILL have those cravings. Each person's withdrawal symptoms and cravings are different, I get physically sick for a month or so. If you are concerned that you might not be able to stay quit then I suggest nicotine replacement therapy (patch, gum, medications like bupropion (Wellbutrin) or Chantix). I personally am on Chantix and would probably be already smoking again without it. It has been a game changer. Combined with this community you'll have a lifesaver. As long as you remember that none of those NRTs are a magic bullet to stop smoking but they are a good aid. You can do this, we are living proof that anyone, anywhere, any condition, any age, any disability, any how, can stop poisoning themselves with a drug addiction. Stay close!
Julie
89 Days of Freedom!
Thank you Minihorses...
In my opinion daily cravings that are horrible is not acceptable. Quitting should not be torture. There is treatment for quitting including support, nicotine replacement therapy, medication, local meetings. NO one should suffer severe mental distress from quitting for a sustained period of times. Urges and cravings now and then is not the same as daily high level cravings.
This is an addiction that requires, from most quitters, a pile of tools and support to quit reasonsonably comfortably. De-tox is an early part of the quit, remembering smoking and feeling urges can be for a while after quitting (but should not be severe). Making behavioral changes regarding your daily routine and getting strong quit support can be big tools in your quit, if you are willing to learn and practice them. As for nicotine replacement therapy and meds, educate yourself and ask your doc.
I've chimed in because you asked, but as always at Ex, take what you need, leave the rest.
Thank you maryfreecig.
Welcome to the big family of EX! You've already received a lot of sound advice, do a lot of reading and evaluating of the tools suggested to you, and select what seems appropriate and useful to you. We are all different, we all quit our own way, but as maryfreecig mentioned, the quit should not be as hard as you described you had it during your prior attempt. The more informed you are, the more prepared, the happier you are about the wonderful decision you made, the easier it is going to be for you. Here is what another of our elders (Dale) put together to help someone who starts on this journey. Nobody says it is really easy, but it is not as hard as one would expect it to be, not if you know what to expect: https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/thread/6040-my-welcome-to-new-members-10-years-of-wisdom-
Click on the link. This is what the expert advice offers.“I’m terrified the cravings will never go away.”
Welcome! Education about this addiction and a strong preparation will help you. There are lots of tools and wisdom to be had among the pages here. I highly recommend you read the material (and comments, because you can often learn as much if not MORE from comments than actual blogs) in Best of EX Here's one blog: The specified item was not found.
We created the behaviors associated with our smoking, the when and where. The addiction is responsible for the why. Once we understand the nature of the correlation, we can change those behaviors. It takes work. But you don't have to spend a lifetime going through constant and severe cravings. I can assure you those of us with long-term quits are not suffering. None of us would have made it if we had constant and severe cravings 24/7.
I lost two or three quits at the 3-month mark. It takes longer than that to get over the hump. Read the links provided above by the others. Seek and ye shall find. Glad you've joined us. Chin up.
I tried to comment twice lost both sonewhere in blog land ANY WAY hope your doing better and less cravings today rbrown53 keep on keeping on and TOGETHER WE WILL STAY QUIT yahooooo for you rbrown53 CONGRATS to you ONE day at a time!
Welcome and CONGRATS to you for asking questions...Dr Hays has a blog on cravings click on Expert Advice. keep on keeping on too rbrown53 you doing GREAT!!!