Urges to Smoke

[SplendidTree]

I have been quit for 3 years and almost 5 months but am getting cravings like crazy! I think part of it is just life events.

Does anyone have any tips on how to deal with this. I literally almost bought a pack the other night.

Thanks so much!

Cally

 

[Saucy]

Having an accountability partner will help. When going out with a friend to the store or whatever, say to whoever is going with you, "hey, if I try to buy cigarettes, please stop me!"

It also helps to avoid places that sell cigarettes. I know that's hard since they sell them everywhere, but it's easiest to not be around them...avoiding the areas they well them..

 

[Humble Pie]

If worse comes to worst, use a NRT product like gum something with very low mg.

 

[SplendidTree]

Thanks so much! I have not given in but the cravings have still been lingering.

 

[andreha]

Thanks so much! I have not given in but the cravings have still been lingering.

Hey

I've been smoke free for just over 11 years. My last cigarette was 26 Oct 2000, 6:03 Am. I've prayed and asked the Lord to take the cravings away, and after a month or so, they faded significantly. It's now been several years (8/9) that there are no more cravings. Just don't give in - they do fade. You can do it.

 

[SplendidTree]

Thanks so much. I don't want to give and honestly, can't afford to long if I even wanted to. I am continuing to pray!

It helps to read stuff like this.

 

[Saucy]

i know people who have those electronic cigarettes. They last a very, very long time and they help when you get those overwhelming cravings. It has no bad stuff that cigs have. It has no smoke either so all you breathe out is water vapor.

 

[wintermile]

Make it easy for yourself to gain self-control. Have mental images, activities, and/or an accountability partner (as stated above) to assist you with maintaining self-control. Make the first tactic easy, then with a proper foothold assert any of the remaining tactics until you feel confident that you will weaken the urges.


Stop the urge with a mental image. An image that could not exist if the presence of tobacco smoke were present. For example, one image that may work is an expecting mother who is dining at an outdoor eatery in an area devoted to walkways and biking paths. She expects her fetus to be free from environmental toxins and pollution, knowing that ET-P levels in prenatal studies indicate lower IQ, asthma, and other learning disabilities. If you are an outdoor gal, image someplace pristine. Tobacco smoke and a pristine view is horrid. If you are a dog lover or cat lover, image your pet tearing up because the tobacco smoke burns his/her eyes and disrupts other senses such as smell. Comic and other art images may work.

Remember you have allowed your lungs to recover. Your lungs are becoming 'new' again. If you flood your bloodstream with the hundreds of harmful chemicals associated with smoking, you will temporarily set yourself back.

Remember what it feels like when you walk near someone who is smoking. Don't you feel like you are going to faint? If you don't faint the detected fumes make you want to run. And you wish everyone would not smoke near entrance/exit sites!

I am currently using this verse.

1 corinthians 10:31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

 

[wintermile]

Also, a few more thoughts for ya.

You seem to be the type of person who, when prioritizing, is serious about others' needs.

In order to be that type of person, the suitable modes you follow to prioritize your own needs are stable.

Some more suggestions for direction are powerful.

A view from a 'clean' edge may do it: Analyze Biased Media & Propaganda Art.

'Clean' adrenaline may do it: Goals.

You trained your limbic system to crave tobacco; train it to crave other things instead.

Take time to plan and make a perfect smoothie, punch or other favorite drink that, overall, refreshes you. It is a challenge to find a (perfect) smoothie. Becoming challenged and acting on a specific challenge is a tradeoff. Once done, it will result in a behavioral mode that your limbic system craves.