Day 22 - Still Craving!: Hey! I haven't... - No Smoking Day

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Day 22 - Still Craving!

nsd_user663_60406 profile image
16 Replies

Hey!

I haven't introduced myself yet so I'll do that in this thread too. I smoked on and off for 9 years (from the age of 11 to 20) and have attempted quitting so many times that I have lost count! Sometimes I lasted months, other times I lasted just a few days.

Personally, I don't think my issue is the nicotine addiction. I am 22 days in and all I really miss is the ritual of smoking. Going outside, lighting up and inhaling those nasty chemicals. It's almost like a mourning process for me right now. I associate everything with smoking.

The problem is, this is how I usually end up losing my quit, because I never stop longing for one more cigarette. Just one, which turns into two and then a packet. This has got me thinking, should I maybe try 'vaping'? Or would that just be another bad habit? Obviously I'd use 0mg liquid.

I just want to stop thinking about cigarettes completely. I want to feel like a non-smoker, but I don't, I feel it's only a matter of time before I break and I don't want that to happen. :(

Lewis

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nsd_user663_60406
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16 Replies
nsd_user663_60053 profile image
nsd_user663_60053

Hi lewis ,I feel just the same, for me I think the cravings will always be there.I miss the whole hit at the back of the throat and the whole process! I considered a zero nicotine e cig myself and posted a similar thread to you . I came to the conclusion that allowing myself to stray from a very disciplined path would be dangerous and eventually lead me back to fags.We all different mate but i would say try and just keep being strong ,your save a few quid to ! well done so far!

nsd_user663_60288 profile image
nsd_user663_60288

Hello :)

I am exactly the same. I haven't experienced bad cravings but do miss the ritual of smoking. I feel a little bored without it.

Yesterday I almost broke. I was so irritable and thought I couldn't cope. I nearly went and bought some fags but instead I ordered a nicotine free ecig. I didn't really want to use anything but I figure it's better than breaking and having a real one? I will use it only for emergencies.

I really do sympathise with you as I'm struggling to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Gemma.

Xxx

nsd_user663_60406 profile image
nsd_user663_60406

Hi lewis ,I feel just the same, for me I think the cravings will always be there.I miss the whole hit at the back of the throat and the whole process! I considered a zero nicotine e cig myself and posted a similar thread to you . I came to the conclusion that allowing myself to stray from a very disciplined path would be dangerous and eventually lead me back to fags.We all different mate but i would say try and just keep being strong ,your save a few quid to ! well done so far!

Yeah I agree. If I used an e-cig, it would probably remind me of how it felt to smoke and eventually lead to me having a cig (if it ever ran out of liquid). Plus, quitting smoking was for me to improve my health and live a 'clean' lifestyle, free from addiction and bad habits, not to replace it with a new one.

Thanks! :)

nsd_user663_60406 profile image
nsd_user663_60406

Hello :)

I am exactly the same. I haven't experienced bad cravings but do miss the ritual of smoking. I feel a little bored without it.

Yesterday I almost broke. I was so irritable and thought I couldn't cope. I nearly went and bought some fags but instead I ordered a nicotine free ecig. I didn't really want to use anything but I figure it's better than breaking and having a real one? I will use it only for emergencies.

I really do sympathise with you as I'm struggling to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Gemma.

Xxx

It is definitely better than having a real cig. -4000 chemicals and nicotine!

I think if it gets any worse, I will probably buy one just to get me through emergencies like yourself because I really don't want to start smoking again. I'll see how the next couple of days go. Appreciate the support! :D

nsd_user663_54332 profile image
nsd_user663_54332

What Gemma said (we're wise girls ;) )

If you do get one, definitely go nicotine free, or you end up like me :eek:

Anything is better than smoking because that is a very expensive way to kill yourself.

I deifnitely missed and still miss sometimes the ritual of smoking, but it's a false thing because how many times do you remember havign a fag and actually enjoying it?

nsd_user663_60406 profile image
nsd_user663_60406

What Gemma said (we're wise girls ;) )

If you do get one, definitely go nicotine free, or you end up like me :eek:

Anything is better than smoking because that is a very expensive way to kill yourself.

I deifnitely missed and still miss sometimes the ritual of smoking, but it's a false thing because how many times do you remember havign a fag and actually enjoying it?

True. I think it's just the way smoking helped break up the day, everything would be planned with a cig in between. For example, 'I'll go for a cig whilst the kettle boils' or 'Before I go in <insert shop/cafe/restaurant name here> I'll have a fag'.

I do miss the social aspects too, like going outside of a pub for a cig with friends. I just wish I didn't know any different and smoking was something that just didn't interest me.

nsd_user663_54332 profile image
nsd_user663_54332

True. I think it's just the way smoking helped break up the day, everything would be planned with a cig in between. For example, 'I'll go for a cig whilst the kettle boils' or 'Before I go in <insert shop/cafe/restaurant name here> I'll have a fag'.

Yep, I definitely felt like that at the beginning - and as I have to start over to kick the e-fag no doubt will again.

That does go though, it's more of a want than a crave :)

I do miss the social aspects too, like going outside of a pub for a cig with friends. I just wish I didn't know any different and smoking was something that just didn't interest me.

When your quit is more established, you can do that - I do - but you will notice that they don't half reek.

nsd_user663_60406 profile image
nsd_user663_60406

Thanks :o

Knowing that others have gone through the same and managed to get through it really does help a lot. I just have to keep reminding myself of the consequences that smoking will lead to.

It also worries me that I have once made it over 8 months and lost my quit because I thought 'one more drag won't hurt' - I didn't believe I would get addicted that easily again. I'd be a fool to believe that again.

nsd_user663_54332 profile image
nsd_user663_54332

Thanks :o

Knowing that others have gone through the same and managed to get through it really does help a lot. I just have to keep reminding myself of the consequences that smoking will lead to.

It also worries me that I have once made it over 8 months and lost my quit because I thought 'one more drag won't hurt' - I didn't believe I would get addicted that easily again. I'd be a fool to believe that again.

That's why this place is fab, it is full of people who either are going through what you are, or have been and come out the other side!!

I did 18 months before I started last time - then i had a row and had a smoke, kept them as a "treat" which soon ended up with me smoking far more than I ever had before :/

Was certain I'd got "unaddicted" but there's no such thing unfortunately.

nsd_user663_54332 profile image
nsd_user663_54332

Lewis,I would say do try CT or using NRT /Champix rather than vaping if possible,it can be a yoke around your neck,an ECig- as Gemma knows only too well :eek:

*Nods sadly*

nsd_user663_52535 profile image
nsd_user663_52535

Lewis

Well done on your decision to quit at a young age. Three weeks in is amazing. I echo what Max and Karri says. Good advice.

Fi x

nsd_user663_60406 profile image
nsd_user663_60406

Again, thanks for the responses! I'm feeling a lot more positive about quitting now and I hope to be able to continue without using anything other than willpower and positivity.

I've realised that using an e-cig would just remind me of the sensation I got from smoking and if that e-cig were to run out, who's to say I wouldn't take the easy way out and light up a cig?

I just need to take each day as they come and no matter how much I long for that feeling of comfort when I smoked a cigarette, I have to just remind myself of the positives. :)

nsd_user663_4025 profile image
nsd_user663_4025

I understand exactly what you mean. I loved the fact to go out, meet new people and just chat, more than smoking itself. You have done so well, don't go to ecigs, you must be doing something right! :)

nsd_user663_60406 profile image
nsd_user663_60406

I understand exactly what you mean. I loved the fact to go out, meet new people and just chat, more than smoking itself. You have done so well, don't go to ecigs, you must be doing something right! :)

That's exactly it. I need to learn to do those social activities, without the smoking!

Definitely not going to go down the e-cig road now after reading other peoples struggles with them. The longer I break the habit, the better.

nsd_user663_54332 profile image
nsd_user663_54332

Definitely not going to go down the e-cig road now after reading other peoples struggles with them. The longer I break the habit, the better.

You can't imagine how glad I am to hear that Lewis!!

I smoked 20 to 25 fags a day, now I smoke 25-30 fags worth of e-fag a day - if you can avoid it *do not* go there!!

nsd_user663_35711 profile image
nsd_user663_35711

Hi.

I vape and its helped me to stay away from cigs. For me its another form of NRT which you cut down until you are off it. I started on 26mg but found it a bit strong as I had been on lozenges until then. Im now on 11mg. Ive looked around and it comes in all strengths from 30mg right down to 0.

It has the benefit of not delivering all those nasty chemicals that cigs do. I know there are arguments that say not enough testing has been done on them yet to say they are 100% safe, but for me, and in my own opinion I would much rather use this method than pick up a ciggie.

I hope my experience of vaping has helped you a little bit.

Lillie x

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