Welcome to the Community Forums

Cravings wont give up Cancel

1. tiny2018

   

   55 posts
   Registered:
   23 Mar 2019
   06 Apr 2019

   Link to this post

   I started my day and woke up and I had cravings. I did a few things feeding my kitty and getting patch out and ready so when jumped out of the shower would put it on. I was determined I was not smoking. felt different kind of like inside I just wasn't giving in. when talked to quit coach I realized I had still had smokes in the fridge which is why was so accessible. that night I threw everything out and took the garbage outside. I seemed that doing that made my quit stronger. Cravings have been on all day long. have done a few things to go past the cravings puzzles reading went out for a walk to do errands. I just couldn't seem to get past the craving. last night it wouldn't stop and really myself got very determined I wasn't going to give in to what was trying to trick me to do so I was reading a book I really like and almost forced myself to focus on the book and not the craving. I did it I got through it and today was just insistent. the one thing I didn't do was have my time so went and had a quick walk to the coffee shop and picked up a coffee my treat I like doing and enjoyed it talked to the guy at the coffee shop and walked back home and I felt better. I sat and drank my coffee but focused just on puzzle book and forced my focus on that. popped in a movie and watched a movie. each one got me another few minutes further and I just kept trying. tonight I came here as am not to sure what else to do. it is day 3 for me and I was wondering as never experienced this type when tried to quit is this gonna continue on and on as am feeling kind of exhausted from all the fighting I guess would say. been standing tall and trying to keep on top of these crazy cravings but if anyone can help with any ideas I could try would be awesome.
   
   
   
2. steven, quit coach

   

   40 posts
   Registered:
   12 Sep 2018
   07 Apr 2019

   Link to this post

   Tiny2018:
   
   Congratulations on quitting smoking! It sounds like quitting is very important to you as you seem very determined. You had some difficulty with cravings/urges but got through them with some great distractions such as reading, doing puzzles, and going for a walk.
   
   Cravings/urges to smoke can be very tough to deal with, especially at the very beginning of a quit just a few days or so in, but it is a part of the process of quitting and very common. Cravings WILL get easier to deal with, and will start to become more infrequent the longer you stay quit. Your body is just going through some transition right now, and needs some time to adjust to no longer smoking.
   
   Some people find that Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) such as the patch, gum, lozenge, spray, and inhaler can be helpful at taking the edge off of cravings (patch for all day use, the others useful to take when a tough "in the moment" craving pops up). Ask your local pharmacist for more information if you are interested!
   
   Taking care of oneself during a quit attempt is very important; perhaps you can reward yourself for making a positive change in your life with something fun or relaxing!
   
   If you have any further questions, or things you would like to discuss in more detail, give us a call at Smokers' Helpline 1 877 513 5333.
   
   Again, Congrats on quitting and know that you can, and will, get through this!
   
   -Steven (Quit Coach) 
3. atp

   

   501 posts
   Registered:
   31 Dec 2018
   07 Apr 2019 in reply to tiny2018

   Link to this post

   Tiny,
   
   You are doing such an amazing job of fighting through the cravings!!! 
   
   3-4 days in were the worst for me. Headaches, constant thirst/hunger, itchy, out of sorts, vomited even. Those were some powerful withdrawal symptoms, but having educated myself about quitting and joining this site helped. I think form about day 3 to day 14 I was on this site constantly. It gave me a lot of reassurance. 
   
   As for ideas to help you through (these are all things I did) - talk out loud to yourself about he benefits of quitting - seriously it helped me to vocalize it. Toss out all your smoking stuff (smokes, lighters, butt cans, etc.), clean all your jackets, lysol spray everywhere to get rid of stale smoke smell, make steel cut oatmeal in the morning (not the instant stuff, but the stuff you need to cook for 1/2 hour), buy some baby carrots for snacks, big bag of Nibs, brush your teeth a lot, I would smell my fingers and remind myself no smoke smell on them. Drink lots and lots of water. Cut out alcohol, cut back coffee, eat a bunch of small snacks through the day - lots of oranges, apples, carrots, chips. Read a book. 
   

   Last modified on 07 Apr 2019 11:39 by atp
4. brieffree

   

   1477 posts
   Registered:
   28 Nov 2017
   07 Apr 2019

   Link to this post

   Hi Tiny
   
   Owu!
   
   you are really kicking buts!
   
   You are doing ok, all those moments will get better! Relax, drink a lot water and rest, Quit smoking is a Hard work!
   
   Regard your self for a Wonderful job! You are learning how to keep the quit. Is every day try, never give up! You are fighting with your addiction!
   
   Give your self a Big Hugh!   
   
   Remember Nico demon wont win!
   
   One day at the time!
   
   You can do this! 
   
   
5. kittie_v

   

   21 posts
   Registered:
   25 Mar 2019
   08 Apr 2019

   Link to this post

   Congrats Tiny on your fight through the first couple of days.  It is such hard work and you are clearly a fighter!
   Don't give in because easier days are in your reach.   Not One Puff Ever! 
   Good luck and stay strong. 
6. merline, quit coach

   

   124 posts
   Registered:
   12 Sep 2018
   11 Apr 2019 in reply to tiny2018

   Link to this post

   
   Hi Tiny2018,
   
   Congratulations on quitting smoking!
   
   I noticed that you had some difficulty with cravings but the good news is that you got through them with some great distractions such as reading, doing puzzles, and going for a walk and that's exactly what you should continue to do in order to keep busy.
   
   It’s good to hearing you say “Trying to keep on top of these crazy cravings “ which is not always easy but you are doing it so don’t forget to do something to reward yourself for all your efforts to remain smoke-free.
   
   If you have any further questions, or things you would like to discuss in more detail, give us a call at Smokers' Helpline 1 877 513 5333.
   
   Regards,