Drunken smoking - will the craving ever go away?

[nobbymcphailisverypale]

I'm ashamed to say I've been a drunken smoker my whole adult life. I didn't smoke when I was pregnant or for the first year or so after having each of my DC's. I haven't had a cigarette since March 13th. I'm not buying them so there are none in the house therefore none to smoke.

DH and I have a few drinks over the weekend each week. The urge to smoke after a glass of wine is just as strong now as it was at the end of March, it's so frustrating! I can't act on it, which is good, but I'd love it to stop. I don't want to stop drinking, before anyone suggests that.

Will it ever go away?

Yes but it takes a good while-about three years for me.

Similar here. All of my quitting smoking attempts foundered when I had a glass of wine.

I had to give up drinking completely to give up smoking. After a couple years, I found I could drink wine again without getting the nicotine urge. It’s been nearly ten years now.

Yes, but it took years. I would have the odd one when drunk for years after giving up even when the idea of smoking normally was repugnant

Me too. And felt sooooo shit the morning after. Finally the thought of feeling that shit stopped me having one and I don’t smoke at all now. I do still sniff unlit cigarettes and tobacco though!!

I just got a vape. Much better now.

I always smoked when I was drunk, me & my late partner always bought 20 cigarettes on our way to the pub on a friday night, never smoked the rest of the week. Since he died I haven't touched one cigarette, yes I vape but mainly cbd for pain relief. I've still got the end of a packet in the drawer at home & a lighter but I've never touched them since.

No it doesn’t so I vape now

About three or four years for me but I can’t even have one now. I’m utterly repulsed by smoke or even the residual smell on smokers when drunk (don’t love it when sober but could happily sit next to one).

Nicotine gum has saved me
I've smoked on and off for years but it's been 4 years ish since I smoked most recently xx

I had to stop drinking for a while to cut the link between alcohol and smoking. Sorry! I drink again now, but a period of socialising sober with people somehow reset my brain. It doesn't bother me at all now.

I quit smoking many years ago but when drinking I would often sneak a few. I'm sure it would have ended with me starting smoking full time again but I woke one morning with a terrible hangover and stinking of smoke. I've never felt so disgusting and now if I attempt to have a cigarette I just can't! That nausea goes back instantly!!

Also a drunk smoker but bought a vape to use instead which is much better, and doesn't make my fingers/hair/clothes stink.

I’m always shocked by the NHS posters that say they got someone to stop for a month. Like pp says, 3 years to get it out of your system. If you smoke heavily while drunk, I would not replace it with vaping. Anecdotal evidence suggests heavy vaping is an extremely bad idea.

Yes, it goes.
I was never a daytime smoker, but had a few with DH (a smoker)when we were drinking. But then, at his third attempt, DH was able to give up smoking, so there were no more cigarettes being bought, and in any case I wasn’t going to sit and smoke in front of him when he was giving up!
For a year or two I may have had one or two when out with other people, but it petered out. I’d sooner sniff DHs socks now than cigarette smoke - the thought of smoking turns my stomach.

I'm 3 years in and I get sober cravings now and again its embedded in your brain chemistry in my unscientific opinion,you just need to let it pass.

My DH uses Nicolette inhalators when having a drink.
Gives him something to put in his mouth and nicotine hit similar to smoking

I stopped smoking 20 years ago but, very very rarely, still get a craving after a few drinks. Don't act on though!

I had hypnosis for smoking a few times in my life. The last attempt stuck and I think it was in part bc I gave up booze at the same time. Still get cravings from time to time out of stress and boredom, but they are fleeting. I know my brain sees the fags and booze as some kind of elixir so I just stay the f away from both.