Sudden craving after 8 years not smoking?!

[Hodl]

Gave up 8 years ago however the last few weeks I've been really craving a cigarette, to the point where I'm smoking in my dreams!
I won't buy any of course but just wondered if anyone else has had similar? Nothing has changed day to day, no extra stress or anything like that. Just really strange!

I get that 30 years on! Sometimes I dream I have had a cigarette and wake up really worried that I have started again.

I think it reflects addiction. Something changes in your brain when you become addicted to a substance - nicotine, alcohol, narcotics. You may wean yourself off the substance but the hard wired change remains. That explains why people relapse.

Yes I occasionally crave for a cigarette. I did, after around 9 years of quitting, smoke again for a few months - it was harder to give up the second time!
Now, 18 years on from quitting again I do still get the occasional craving but I won’t ever try one again.

Dh gave up 15 years ago and occasionally has similar thoughts/dreams and it is usually when he’s stressed.

You say you aren’t extra stressed but we’re in the middle of a global pandemic which seems to be getting worse, so whilst we’re all trying to get on with things, our brains must be saying “wtf is going on?!”

Thanks for the replies everyone. It's so frustrating after all this time to be craving a smoke, although I'd probably vomit if I actually had one. Maybe it's all down to pre-Christmas prep and of course the pandemic playing on my mind, even though I don't actually feel stressed (if that makes sense!)

I haven’t smoked for over 50 years but I still occasionally crave a cigarette. usually when I am out for the evening, having a few drinks. Last time I succumbed I didn’t enjoy it and I certainly don’t fancy one enough to go outside in the cold.