WHEN DO THE CRAVINGS STOP???? HELP!?
Ok I put this in the HEALTH section as that was my options. but of course, nobody responded. So, now I'm putting it in gay and lesbian because this is the best section on Y/A for people and for upfront answers! Help me!
WHEN will the smoking cravings stop?!?
I quit smoking the week before Thanksgiving cold turkey. I haven't even told people cause if I talk about it, I feel that makes it worse. right now, I am nearly in tears I want to smoke so bad. I feel like it's part of my personality or something. but I can't smoke. I am a mother and I want to be alive and not die a slow suffering death for my children to witness. WTF?
When will this stop?
Holy crap even the limited categories to put this in is making me want to smoke. I mean, what kind of choice is HEALTH. Healthy people won't get it. How about, the I want to smoke so bad I feel sub human category?
SOON. Just stick it iut a small longer!!!!!!
they never really stop
Have you tried nicotine pills? Or the patch? They're supposed to alleviate the cravings.
you will always crave it. even years after, but you have to teach yourself not to smoke it even though you crave it. by the way if you want more people to respond to your answers just post it at Polls and Surveys.
i agree w/ da 2nd person. abd dont listen 2 the 1st person thats not right!
since you're always craving for something like the cigarette, whenever you start to get one out to smoke, chew on something else like the gum-extras to reduce your craving…so whenever you start taking out a cigarette, chew on something instead.. and throw away the cigarettes!!!
try that nicotene gum…wouldn't you rather be addicted to gum than tabaco?
Your a good mom <3.
And soon, usually. once you get over the hill, then it gets better.
Find other things to do with your time.
Eat lollipops or sunflower seeds.
I hear those help.
did you see the doctor ? Welbutrin will help with the desire to smoke. It needs a Rx.
The first couple of weeks are the toughest but cravings will never stop. it will get simpler but it wont stop. So you use things to help you get your mind off of it. like a leisure activity or something. also take those nicotine gums they help the cravings a lot.
chew some gum play a game exersize do ANYTHING to get your mind off of it. if you have to go google some sick pictures of lung cancer because thats where smoking leads. most of all reckon of your child.
smoking around children might as well be child abuse. do the right thing. i know you can!
have tried to give up Smokin several times and lasted several days, when I craved for nicotine, I drank coffee and coke a cole. it helped but I didn't want a smoke
It's soooo hard to quit. like second to heroin. try taking up another healthier habit like gum chewing or eating sunflower seeds or exercise. Running is what helped me plus I got in shape in the process.
Ok i'm going to come right out and telll you smoking is as addictive as probably some of those hardcore drugs like heroine and crack and that kind of stuff, so those cravings are not going to go away. when you feel that horrible urge to smoke chew some gum or get something in your mouth, it might not take the entire craving away but it should help. if it starts getting way to hard for you try the patches and the gum, it should take the edge off the cravings. you can also consult a doctor and he can make up a plan to help you quit smoking.
im talking to my friend on the phone and i told her your tale she says
"hunn i know ur problem its hard i know but just do it
have some fun how ancient r u?"
You will never completely get over the cravings. they will grow weaker but you'll always have the occasional urge to smoke.
I'm not a smoker but I reckon I can answer this. the best thing to do is tell someone that you really trust and love! if you have someone there you will have someone to encourage you. I know this sounds bad but when your quitting an addiction, YOU CAN'T TRUST YOURSELF!
Try chewing gum every time you get a craving.
Quitting cold turkey is hard and another simpler way is to quit by cutting down every day. maybe try 3 per day, than the next day try 2, and then when your ready try 1…
And then you can try to quit completely… it will take a long time before the cravings go away but I reckon you can do it.
Another thing is most quitters try to quit up to 10 times…
Sorry but that's all I can do.
Excellent luck.
I know what it feels like, i quit cold turkey 60 days ago, and it is the best thing that I have ever done. At first it was so hard, it consumed my mind and was all i wanted to do. I just kept reminding myself of the reasons why i am quitting, and it helped me to realize that I really didn't need that smoke, I need to be healthy to live longer for my children too. I know that it is hard and it hurts, but trust me, you just have to stick with it, you will feel so much better, taste things better, smell better, have more energy, be free of the addiction and live longer for your children.
It should get simpler for you, but if it doesn't, you should go to your doctor and ask about quit smoking options, I know a lot of people who have had success with Chantix. but, just hang in there!!
I would say it depends on how many years you smoked, how much you smoked and the reasons why you smoked. the more years you smoked and more cigs a day you smoked the longer the cravings will be. right now the nicotene receptors in your brain must be screaming out for relief. I would recommend trying the patch or gum or even talking to your doctor. There are drugs now that shut down these receptors so it makes it simpler to quit.
As to the why you smoked-well each individual has there own reasons-some for something to do, others to help with anxiety and depression, still others for relaxation and the list goes on. the toughest thing to do is to break the association with smoking. What I mean is some people smoke while driving, they gave up smoking not driving, so that is when the urge is really strong, others it is when they got nervous or nervous about something. well this is life and we all get nervous or nervous about things. Trust me these cravings will pass. Just don't be worried to get professional help to break them-ie pills, patchs, gums and counciling. you are stronger and can do it.
It is so hard to quit smoking and you are to be commended. I quit on July 27, 2007 after smoking for 25+ years. I didn't quit cold turkey – I took medication called Chantix. This medicine makes your brain not crave nicotine. I was on this medicine 3 months before I quit and 3 months after I quit.
This is such a hard thing. I still could go for a smoke sometimes, but the thoughts leave me rather quickly and I don't dwell on them as much as I used to.
Gum might help, or I have a friend who chewed on a straw. they also make nicotine-less cigarettes that are supposed to satisfy the craving of smoking without the harmful nicotine.
There is a website that is pretty helpful: quitnet.net. I still sign on when I am feeling vulnerable.
Best of luck to you.
EDIT: I took up knitting when I was trying to quit. everyone in my family (and friends, too) have received scarves from me. LOL – I also made a large knitted throw for my daughter and my sister. So – do you knit? maybe you can learn to do something to keep your hands busy. also, I stayed away from places where I loved a smoke. I was very rarely in my computer room during those first few months because I associated that room with enjoying cigarettes.
Excellent luck, again.
When you stop smoking
you are not alone.
the cravings are worse then anyone who has not tried to quit will know.
Some things that might help:
If you miss the feeling of having a cigarette in your hand, hold something else like a paper clip-its bendy, and you can work it with your fingers.
excercise-just do some pushups or touch your toes.
place something in your mouth-gum, a carrot, apple etc.
place rubber band around your wrist-and snap it.
Take a shower or bath.
light a candle or incense.
Be strong-the urge will weaken over time. exactly when varies from person to person.
I used the patches to quit………..made a huge difference with the stress level. without them all I did was reckon about smoking. Cold Turkey nearly never works. It will still take a month or so even with the patch. but it won't be constant, and slowly you'll realize "Wow I haven't even thought of smoking for a few days, then weeks, then months"
It's so worth it, I stopped smoking for the exact same reason that you are, so every time I wanted to give in I thought of my beautiful small girl and how my smoking would not only set a bad example for her but may really rob her of having her Ma there as she grew up.
It's a tough road, believe me. but you can do it! I know you can!
Wishing you lots of luck and success.
L
Dear VOA,
Yes, nicotine is very addictive…both physiologically and psychologically. It is both a habit (you are altering your usual daily behavior) and an addiction….. like an addiction to narcotics or methamphetamine. Most of the physical symptoms are gone in about 2 weeks, but the cravings (psychological) symptoms will probably last forever, ie., if you start again, you'll be back up to how much you were smoking in a day or 2. (Like the cravings alcoholics have even after they have "recovered" and never use again.)
Nicotine patches and gum are a good way to get rid of the physical problems, like excessive appetite, nausea, etc., but you might also ask your Dr. for bupropion (Wellbutrin, Zyban), or another drug called Chantix) which are usually used for depression (which you may get from withdrawal), but also help the psychological cravings and anxiety associated with it.
Also, exercise and diet help. you should try to take an anti-oxidant supplements like vitamin C, E, etc.
Most vital for the cravings, is your talking with other people like you have done by asking this question on Yahoo's Q/A…(this is NOT an advertisement!) Getting some help from your friends and peers who have gone through this themselves is also helpful. And they even have a nicotine anonymous program which is helpful for many people
I support you in this hard, but not impossible endeavor!!!….RB.
PS. get on the internet and write me if you want to spend some time talking about it…won't be a waste of time for me, and will benefit you!
You should have NEVER started. its your fault. thats what D.a.R.E. is for. Drug Abuse Reject Education. Didnt you listen in elementary?!?