Quit 3 weeks ago when ill - on the mend but worried about old habits returning

[PhoebeMcPeePee]

I got Covid or some sort of flu 3 weeks ago and have been completely wiped out with the most hideous cough, cold & sore throat so for the first time ever just didn’t want to smoke. Absolutely result as I’ve tried quitting twice in the past year and failed after a day or so both time.

so now I’m beginning to feel better & tomorrow will be back to much of my old life/work routine and worried those old habits will be too hard to crack. The physical addition has clearly gone now but the habits feel stronger - that first coffee & cigarette on my way to the office, the end of the day ‘treat’ one, the one with a glass of wine in the evening once kids are in bed, the sitting outside at the pub one….smokers you all get it. I’m desperate not to go back and right now still not feeling well enough to actually want one and have no taste & coughing up a lifetime of tar 😩 but know this will end.
Any tips or advice?

Gave up for 26 years then started smoking again last year after a lot of stress! I smoked for 10 months but quit again in January…and restarted in June 😞
I believe 3-4 months is the danger time for people to restart. My advice would be to avoid doing the things that could trigger you to restart for a few months.
Apparently the actual cravings last only a short time so, if when you feel like one, you go and brush your teeth or do something else to occupy yourself the feeling should ease and you can ride it out better. I’ll try to remember that once I get to the end of this pack 🙏🏻

Remember how disgusting you smell to others, how it WILL shorten your life, how it ages you and how much Monday you will save. The cost of cigarettes is astounding

I think it helps to find ways to break the connections. Maybe for coffee, put it off for a bit later or have a glass of water first. A new book, magazine or show to watch when the kids are in bed. It does get easier the longer you stay off them. I quit over 10 years ago now. Used to think I'd never do it & now I can't think why I did for so long. Good luck, you can do it.

I think breaking the connections is probably right. Might try just taking water bottle and saving first coffee for when I’m sat at my desk in the hope it breaks the connection with the coffee/cigarette. Lunchtime I might just try and work through and finish earlier and the evening ones I could do with some exercise so maybe going to the gym or for a swim a few evenings a week will be the answer.
thanks really determined not to relapse as I too am staggered by the cost now - and giving up I could afford quite a few little luxuries I’ve always denied myself like getting my nails done (cost of 1 week’s smoking & would last 2-3 weeks) or that expensive Pilates class (cost of 1 packet of cigs!)

just come back on to say I've still not smoked and it's true that once you get over the cravings and incorporate new habits that don't revolve around smoking, you gradually stop thinking about it. I'm so chuffed with myself and really determined not to go back now I've come this far.

Plus I hadn't realised how much I was arranging my life around smoking - thinking ahead to where & when I could have a cig, the change of clothes (I always put a coat & hat on as didn't like to smell), stopping off at motorway services on longer trips for a cig then inevitably getting a coffee and something to eat...

Fantastic news! Well done 👏 Keep going & it will keep getting easier.

That’s brilliant! Well done op.
I’m day 11 and getting twitchy-it’s been a very stressful work shift. I’ve eaten my own body weight in chocolate and still want to dash to the shop. I have put on my scruffiest joggers and top in the hope that not wanting to be bothered to get changed to go out puts me off going to get some.

Well done @JealousyIsADisease don’t cave. Go and tidy a room or have a bath - distraction is key and it doesn’t need to be very long just enough to get that voice out of your ear that makes you think you need one. You don’t. You can do this.