still having cravings ahhh!!!

[nsd_user663_4571]

gave up march 5 feel GREAT: but still having really bad craving using patches & lozengers anyone else suffering like this:confused::confused:

[nsd_user663_3728]

Hi Sue

Welcome to the forum and well done on the decision to quit possibly one of the most important you will ever make and you will be losing nothing but you will regain control of your life and that has to be good

You will find all the help and support you need on here as we all help each other just like a family we are here for you every step of the way cheering the good days and sympathiseing with the bad but the good far outweigh the bad

Read the posts on here you will find a lot of tips and advice and in the signatures of a lot you will find links to other sites just click on them Here are 2 I find very good to start you off whyquit.com and woofmang.com Read, read and then read some more as the more you read and learn about why you smoked and about your addiction the easier your quit will be

Well done on your quit so far I think if you do some reading, it will really help you with this OK

Best Wishes

Marg xx

[NicFirth 10 Years Smoke Free]

Hi Sue and welcome to the forum.

Cravings are both physical and psychological, since you are on NRT they happen when you drop down patch strength or reduce intake of lozenges, however it is more likely that they are psychological, and the psychological side of it is much more difficult to deal with.

Quitting is a mind game, if you feel that you are depriving yourself of a much loved pleasure it is a lot harder than if you think of quitting as a positive experience where you gain back health, wealth and control.

During years of smoking we build associations with pleasure, reward dealing with problems etc. etc. of course it wasn't the cigarette that "helped" in those situations it was the we needed to top up our nicotine.

It does take a while for cravings to stop and over time they change from a craving to nostalgic feelings and mild desire, occasionally they flare up for a few days but the more you resist the easier it becomes, practice makes perfect.

All the best

Nic

[nsd_user663_4149]

Hiya Sue

Just to add to Nics words of wisdom (all true) each time you get a craving and you get through it, have a little cheer and feel proud of yourself for beating those Bs again, after a while they'll find someone else to pick on. Well done on your 59th smoke free day. David

[nsd_user663_4522]

I am no expert on this but it must have something to do with the fact that you are fighting a nicotine addiction with nicotine..it sounds crazy to me that people stop smoking but are still using nicotine patches and gums. I appreciate that people stop in different ways and the fact that you are not inhaling smoke anymore is something to be applauded. My guess is its time to be weaned off the patches and lozenges sooner rather than later or these cravings will continue...Just my opinion..

[nsd_user663_4571]

thank u everyone for your post

Thank you for your posts i have made it to week nine and have come of the patches and only using 3 lozengers a day feel a little weird but hopefully will pass soon. A very strange thing happened to me coming out of work a man i work with stopped me as i came out of work and asked if i was stopping for a chat while having a fag i looked at him in horror and said that i've not smoked for ages his reply was " i was sure i seen u outside having a cig sorry" it made my day i felt GREAT for having been invited to smoke and declining

[nsd_user663_3728]

Hi Sue

Week 9 and you're off the patches and only 3 lozenges a day well done you

I'll bet it gave you a real boost to tell that work mate I've not smoked in ages

Love

Marg xxxxxxxx

[nsd_user663_4571]

it felt great thanks still a bit on edge without the patches but i suppose it's about time i came of them i'll feel better soon