Day 11 - looking for some help with questions

[nsd_user663_13779]

Even after 11 days I still get strong urges to smoke. Can someone please tell me how long the strong urge part lasts? How long until I only think about it a couple times a day rather than all day? And why was it easier for me the 1st nine days rather than the last two days?

I am feeling a lot better health wise in only 11 days but the more time passes the more I seem to miss smoking. It’s like I forgot all the bad stuff it was doing to me or for some reason or I'm willing to over look it.

I tried reading post from others here that are further along in their quits but I wasn't able to come up with a time frame that the strong urges pass.

I don't think I'm going to run right out to smoke, but yesterday and today have been a challenge.

[nsd_user663_14114]

Hey Sparks,

well, i guess it all depends. Are you using patches/gum etc?

For me, i would say it was about 6 weeks until i could think of other things apart from the fact that i wasnt smoking/wanting a ciggie etc.

But i think the way you think about urges to smoke is a bit like a habit...hard at the start but gets easier and better the more you do it. Practice is what i am talking about i guess.

Also remember that not everyones quit experiences are the same. it took 6 weeks for me, but maybe sooner (or later) for you.

I also think that being involved in something that focuses your attention is a great idea. In several studies that i have looked at, they a said that whist physical movement is good and all very healthy, to distract from addictions, you need to engage in tasks that take up your cognitive resources, so things that make you THINK hard! It basically means that you dont have enough cognitive 'space' in your brain to use on thinking about ciggies/smoking.

Hope that helps!

[nsd_user663_13779]

Thank You Claire

So I'm about 1/4 of the way or so to forgetting about it a little. I can't wait

As far as taking up the "cognitive 'space'" in my brain goes that should be fairly easy since it not all that big anyway - lol

Luckily I'm not at a point where I'm going to cave in just looking forward a little to see when I can expect it to get a little easier

p.s. - I didn't think you were still watching I'm so happy I didn't slip up were you checking up on me?

[nsd_user663_42769]

Sorry got no answers for you - I am only on day 9. But it doesn't seem to have got any better than all the previous days. Constant craving. yes, easier to get through when concentrating mind on something, but doesn't actually stop the craving. I am studying on a post-graduate course and keep needing a cigarette to keep going /reading/writing (which I don't have). For me this cravings only last 3 minutes is rubbish, mine can last for hours. I wish we did know when the cravings stop - it's hard to keep going when it seems it could be months away.

[nsd_user663_13779]

Hi Ivy - Congratulations for making it to day 9. In my book that’s a huge accomplishment in its self.

I don't know anything about your quit and at times struggle with my own but I have been down this road way too many times. The thing that is keeping me going the most this time is that I see a lot of the people that I was quitting within the past (like Claire)that are now at 18 months or more into quitting and are still successful. That could have been me but I chose to go back to smoking (several times) and still find myself back at the bottom. I hope you find the strength to stick with it as I am trying to do and please let me know if I can be of any help

[nsd_user663_42220]

Hi Sparky, I'm on Day 19, nearly Day 20 and doing it cold turkey after 31 years.

I haven't had any real strong urges for nearly a week now.

Don't get me wrong, there are times of the day and various trigger point reminders that still occur but it's getting less and less frequent and less and less strong.

Truth is though that every quitter is different and every quit is different.

Just keep on ploughing through it.

You've made 11 days and, however long it takes, every day will begin to get easier.

You don't want to have to go through the first 11 days again do you?

Keep your quit going, you're getting through the tough times and that will make the easier times so much sweeter

[nsd_user663_14114]

Thank You Claire

So I'm about 1/4 of the way or so to forgetting about it a little. I can't wait

As far as taking up the "cognitive 'space'" in my brain goes that should be fairly easy since it not all that big anyway - lol

Luckily I'm not at a point where I'm going to cave in just looking forward a little to see when I can expect it to get a little easier

p.s. - I didn't think you were still watching I'm so happy I didn't slip up were you checking up on me?

Meeee??? Would i do such a thing??:rolleyes:

Couldn't get you on Fb because of the time difference so thought i'd get you on here!

[nsd_user663_13779]

Meeee??? Would i do such a thing??:rolleyes:

Couldn't get you on Fb because of the time difference so thought i'd get you on here!

Your too funny Claire

For some strange reason just as I was about to give in I thought of how mad you would be :eek::eek:

In the event of a relapse I have come up with a plan:

Here it is - Keep posting like I never went back to smoking while I find a way to change my member name, screen name and facebook account all while finding a nice cave to live in until enough time has passed that you forget about me entirely

I sure hope it doesn’t get to that point

Thanks for keeping me honest

[nsd_user663_42642]

I have quit 3 times previously to this and the two occasions I went cold turkey were hard at the beginning but got easier after day three . . the one time I used patches was easier at the beginning but didn't really ease off that much as the days went on . . so this time its cold turkey again and I have to say that the cravings are lessening in severity and it really only bugs me when I let it and don't do anything to distract myself.

Some people say that patches prolong the agony and for me that's how it was last time . . this time was rough at first but it is easing. . . I'm on day 11 now of my cold turkey programme.

[nsd_user663_42145]

Good Job Jo

I remember when you first started, you had a discouragement from a friend. I faced the same negativity at work, We're showing them.

[nsd_user663_13779]

Patches prolong the agony I’m sure but I believe there are two things keeping me quit this time. Here they are in no certain order:

1) Claire30 - Sometimes it’s like paranoia sets in. I look over my should all day to see if she is behind me waiting to catch me in the act. When I go outside I look to the sky for possible drone planes from Claire. I think my car has a tracking device that sends Claire a message if I get to close to a store that sells smokes.

Ok it may be a little exaggerated but it was her constant reminder on facebook that brought me back. I appreciate her nagging and wouldn't want to let her down - again - THANK YOU CLAIRE30!!!!

2) The patches, I love the patches. I read a lot of different web site and quit methods and have tried all of them at one point or another but they have been good to me I have a pretty stressful job and without them I most certainly would have returned to smoking.

I really don’t want to smoke anymore I just need to find a new routine

[nsd_user663_14114]

Oh Sparky do be quiet! I havent done anything (other than not-so-gently encourage you)!

All of this is being done by YOU and only you! You are the one facing the cravings, posting on here for support (and praying i dont inbox you to ask if you are still on the wagon!).

I am seriously proud of you though- good going!