Please help - Nicotine cravings 3 weeks after giving up...

[Mousey84]

Im hoping to get some tips on reducing cravings.

I gave up 3.5 weeks ago when we went on holiday. I brought nicotine gum with me and only had 4 pieces in the first 5 days, them none afterwards, and other than a few notions, I was feeling good. After 2 weeks I came home and the cravings were worse due to the association with smoking and things in my daily routine. So I :

• cut down portion size - I always craved after large meal
• stayed away from area in garden where I smoked
• ate more fruit and veg, but seems body can only cope with 9-10 portions
• decluttering house - keeping hands and mind busy/reinforcing "new lifestyle"
• changed time of day I had coffee
• go to bed earlier

But, I still get really really strong urges, like an adrenaline rush or something. My heart races and I feel v unsettled. It passes within 20 mins or less, but I need to knock these on the head asap.

Reasons for quitting

• daughter might catch on (never smoked in front of her) and I dont want her to think smoking is ok cause mummy does it.
• Health risk to her if smoke comes into house, or off my clothes.
• Health risk to me - cancer in family (non-smokers)
• Financial £80 - £85pm. I could reduce my hours at work a bit.

Great reasons, but it isnt stopping the physical cravings!

Help please x

Sounds like your doing all the right things. I gave up 5 years ago. They say it's hardest 3 hrs, 3 days, 3 weeks 3, months and 3 years after giving up so you are probably going through the tough bit at the moment, especially as you've just come back from your hols, and getting back into normal routine.

The cravings do get easier as time goes on but there is no way of getting rid of them unfortunatley. I used patches and all sorts but still had the cravings despite them.

Every time you get a craving think about why you are giving up and try to remember that it is only for a short time and it will pass. i know this is easier said than done when you feel really aggitated. Try going outside, taking deep breaths, or anything to distract yourself when you have a craving.

It is definatley one of the hardest things to do. Sorry I couldn't offer any suggestions for getting rid of the cravings.

Good luck. You are doing great keep going :)

You're doing really well!!

The physical cravings usually stop after 3-4 weeks so you're nearly over the worst of it. They only last around 3 minutes so distraction, distraction, distraction is the way to go.

The behavioural cravings last longer so as girtlush says remind yourself why you're quitting. Think of your daughter - we know that children of smokers are 3 times more likely to smoke themselves.

Do something with your hands that means you can't smoke - paint your nails, brush your teeth, clean the loo, fill in a puzzle, anything that passes that 3 minutes.

Keep it up, the first month is the hardest I think and you're nearly past it!

Damn - no secrets I didnt know then?!

3 seems to be a magic number - cravings for 3 minutes, physical cravings 3 (-4!), and girts 3 hours/days/weeks/months/years.

I feel good for getting this far and no real intentions of starting again, but when I shout at dd for something small just cause im craving and moody (with pmt as well as withdrawal), I think id be easier if I just had one!

Ive heard loads of people who quit 10, 20 or more years ago, who say they still think about smoking. That worries me a lot. Will just have to deal with it I guess.

Thanks for your encouraging words ladies :)

Quit coffee and alcohol as well for a while. Those are strong triggers.

Carry little carrot sticks to munch on.

Drink lots of water. A whole glass when you feel a craving.

Hang in there, you are doing great!

I still think about smoking occasionally but it is nothing like when you first give up. It is a fleeting thought, rather than a physical craving, and it's usually only when i've had a few!!!

Agree with other posters, and about ten years after stopping, I do miss cigs now and then but nothing like the first month or so. Just knowing that the urges will only last three minutes was a great help, and I learned to juggle the first week to keep hands busy. Good for you for stopping by yourself and after such a short time on gum. I used the NHS system,choosing patches, where we learned lots of scientific stuff and information as others have posted. We were also told just how fast we'd be hooked again after "just one", which is yet another reason to stay stopped.
You're doing really well, so just keep on, and it really does get easier.

Good for you for stopping!! You are doing really great...and this truly is the hardest part. I quit 5 years ago, and though I do still miss it from time to time, I love that my clothes smell lovely and fresh, I don't have to stop what I'm doing because I feel the urge, and I love the savings!!

Keep it up...and remember that you are doing it for yourself as well...so you can be lovely and healthy and happy!