What do you do when you get cravings?

LiteraryLark · Apr 26, 2015, 10:50 PM

I have a problem with smoking cigarettes. I was able to quit for a week because I got sick, but now that I'm healthy I'm back to smoking again. I want to quit but smoking cessation aids don't work for me. Patches give me bad nightmares, gum and lozenges make me feel sick. What do you do when you get cravings?

gayleggg · Apr 27, 2015, 11:42 AM

I used to play my GameBoy when I would get cravings. Wound up getting tendonitis from it. lol

LucyD · Apr 28, 2015, 05:39 AM

I'm sorry nothing seems to work for you for not smoking. I finally quit when I learned I had COPD and had done real damage to my lungs. They didn't tell me I had COPD until recently when I have had it for several years. Finding out after a long time made me aware I was not going to be able to breathe if I kept smoking. Have you tried the lozenges at 2 mg? I found they don't make me sick but the stronger ones did.

notz · May 02, 2015, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Have you tried the lozenges at 2 mg? I found they don't make me sick but the stronger ones did.

LucyD said it right. Administering more nicotine than you were ingesting will make you have nicotine induced nightmares, nausea, etc. Step down to a lower milligramage to reduce the possibilities of side effects.

Cravings? Deep breaths, diversions, brush your teeth, take a bath, take a walk, etc.
You can do this!

Free of nicotine for 17 years. I'm happier for it!

May 07, 2015, 10:37 PM

Have you tried vaping? I switched to that fairly easily. You get the feel of it and the ritual... its satisfying to see the vapor when you exhale. Then I just dwindled down my nicotine. Then I was able to switch to the nicotine gum. The gum wasn't strong enough or like smoking enough for me to start out with; neither were the cheaper e-cigs. After that cinnamon gum, altoids, listerine- something to give me a burning sensation.

Smellyfinger · May 08, 2015, 01:10 AM

Last time I tried to quit, I had to go outside with a pen or straw and go through the puffing and exhaling motions as if I were smoking. It took the edge off.

I also tried a stop smoking med (can't remember the name). That worked pretty well. But it made me sick to my stomach.

I wish you luck in quitting!

notz · May 08, 2015, 07:13 PM

I used the straw too. Cut it to size of my brand and "smoked" the hell outta 'em!!!! LOL

FedUp&Bored · Jun 14, 2015, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LiteraryLark

I have a problem with smoking cigarettes. I was able to quit for a week because I got sick, but now that I'm healthy I'm back to smoking again. I want to quit but smoking cessation aids don't work for me. Patches give me bad nightmares, gum and lozenges make me feel sick. What do you do when you get cravings?

Straws! Cut a straw the length of a cigarette and suck on it. It works! I smoked for 45 years before I quit. It's been 74 DAYS OF FREEDOM!

I also started taking a good multivitamin/multimineral a month before I quit. It helps.

Trembling Voice · Jul 07, 2015, 12:49 AM

I've had several attempts to quit smoking, every time I fail. I went one year without smoking before, though.. The problem is when I am smoke free, there are always certain moments when I crave smoking so much, especially when I am really stressed , and once I smoke I think of quitting again, and so on.. Last time I tried to quit was last week, and yesterday I went back to smoke again. Now I feel like //=x. Of course I was feeling overall better 2 days ago, I mean without smoking.

Anyway, personally the thing that helps me when I get cravings is that I tell myself what I've just said "that if I returned to smoking I will regret it and I will try again". The first few days after quitting I drink a lot of water, and right after meals I drink green tea/or black tea ( I love both of them) . I usually have such intense craving after I eat especially in the first few day, so I drink something quickly before it attacks me, gradually I forget about smoking , but once I face a big problem/stress I sadly fail.

Anyway, glad you are healthy now LiteraryLark! , and I hope next time you quit you find it easier than you thought it would be..

mark014 · Jul 13, 2015, 03:02 AM

Tell your family and friends that you are not going to smoke at all. Set a quit date.
If these aids do not work try these:
Whenever you start craving, distract yourself in something- some delicious food or a drink or any physical activity.
Go online, read forums or any quitter's bold and encourage for quitting smoking. This way you will also get ideas that will help you in quitting smoke.
Keep reminding yourself about the bad effects of smoking and benefits of not smoking.
Avoid company of people who smoke and places surrounded by smokers.
Indulging in a daily physical activity like jogging, gymming might also help a great deal.
Good Luck!

Angelique67 · Jul 13, 2015, 12:12 PM

I second the suggestion of vaping. It makes quitting smoking almost easy. PM me if you like.

tipper1492 · Oct 02, 2015, 07:48 PM

I stopped, with help of Wellbutrin, cold turkey. Remember urges will subside sooner than you thought if you continue. Many times it's the mind, not the body. I don't like patches because they still have nicotine in them, and makes it all take longer. Make up your mind, and just do it.

Blue_Heron · Oct 07, 2015, 12:28 PM

I'm currently in the process in quitting. I tried cutting cold turkey.. went a few days recently. And picked one up. I'm trying not to smoke today, and it's really hard. I get headaches and nauseated when I don't smoke. I guess you can say that's the typical Nicotine withdrawal!
I try deep breathing when I get cravings and hope that they pass. I also tell myself affirmations daily such as "You overcame Meth addiction, so you can overcome smoking cigarettes!" or "You are a strong minded woman that deserves to live a healthy life" anything that will boost your confidence and motivation. I also try drinking water when I get a craving Putting water bottle up to my mouth and tasting the water, really helps with the habitual hand moving that I do with smoking. Or try playing with a pen. Keep your hands busy. And mentally prepare yourself with deep breathing techniques and meditation or relaxation.

Sober4life · Oct 11, 2015, 01:42 AM

I smoke another smoke.
I limit myself to 5 smokes a day. Overtime I would drop this to 2,3 or 4 smokes.
Or i just eat

jtesta33 · Dec 07, 2015, 04:52 PM

I meditate on every craving and let it have its time. I've found that resisting only extends the craving so I just let it be and celebrate the poison leaving my body.

jtesta33 · Dec 08, 2015, 04:03 PM

I've found it effective to embrace my cravings and let the addiction just be. Each time I want to smoke, I celebrate this as the occasion of the toxins leaving my body.

I've also given my word to myself and my loved ones, so there's an element of dishonor if I fail. If I smoke, I'm breaking my word and I won't allow that. I was raised by a Marine, so I figure dishonor is about as bad as it gets.

I've also found it good to come here and offer my support to others who are going through my same misery. None of us is alone in this. We're all running like hell from a powerful addiction, but the cravings don't last. Each sticks around for only a few seconds when we have a plan.

emwell · Dec 13, 2015, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jtesta33

I meditate on every craving and let it have its time. I've found that resisting only extends the craving so I just let it be and celebrate the poison leaving my body.

I do this as well. I quickly figure out what I am feeling or doing or thinking that makes me want to smoke.
If I choose not to do this, I find the craving will keep coming back.

Quote:

I've also given my word to myself and my loved ones, so there's an element of dishonor if I fail. If I smoke, I'm breaking my word and I won't allow that.

Sometimes just the thought of having to confess to smoking is enough to keep me from smoking. I don't want to disappoint myself or others
I have thought about smoking and lying, but I suck at lying so that wouldn't work.
I am amazed at what my brain comes up with trying to convince me to smoke.