New girl

I haven't smoked in 8 days, it isn't getting any better . I have smoked 20 years about 14 a day.

[Hidden]

I have but don't wanna replace one habit for another. The cravings are getting better but I truly just miss smoking.

[Nozmo Valued Contributor in reply to Hidden]

Hello Holly,

You sound similar to me. I quit to save money and because I thought I should, not because I WANTED to. I liked smoking and found quitting very hard, even though I used an e-cig. Some people have likened it to losing a friend, which I can understand (regardless of the arguments about what kind of friend would do to you what smoking does?)

The early stages can be very hard but it honestly does get better and it's worth persevering. After a year I could still smoke a cigarette but I don't crave them anymore...it doesn't bother me.

Keep it up! Hope we can help you along.

[Hidden in reply to Nozmo]

Thank you. I never thought I would need help with this but the mental part has been weighing me down. I have been angry cause I can't smoke knowing I needed to stop and that I will stop but for some reason it has made me more furious being taken out of my control

[RoisinO1 Administrator 3 Years Smoke Free in reply to Hidden]

What you are feeling is perfectly normal Hidden as you are in the thick of the mental battle as your brain is re-wiring from all the damage caused from thousands of poisonous chemicals from cigarettes - definitely read up as I suggested previously, knowledge is key in our quits. I am over 16 months quit and never looked back - it was/is a bumpy road - at the early stage a very bumpy road and a journey that is so achievable, you CAN do this, I promise you! Post anytime, we are here to help you through this

[Hidden in reply to RoisinO1]

I haven't smoked in over 2weeks and sounds great but missable. I know reward is better in long run but head hurts and been dizzy for 2weeks. Feeling beat down and worn out. I'm not going to smoke but can't stop thinking of it not wanting one. I also know if I smoke I won't stop again.

[RoisinO1 Administrator 3 Years Smoke Free in reply to Hidden]

Hey Hidden - your symptoms you are feeling are normal at this stage of your quit especially feeling down and worn out - what I would suggest for the dizziness is to make sure you are hydrated as when we quit our sugar levels drop so natural fruit juices are good to maintain our sugar levels, lots of water too, if it doesn't improve though, perhaps a trip to your doctor for reassurance and that there is not another underlying problem.

A bit of exercise daily will help lift you too, and lots of fruit that release the happy hormone - apples and bananas are a good source of this

[Nozmo Valued Contributor in reply to Hidden]

I know exactly what you mean! I spent the first few weeks angry and snapping at people. Strangely enough I also sprang from this to being briefly really happy and elated...then back to wanting to kill somebody!! It's a crazy, mental time and it feels like there must be something wrong with you but there isn't; that's what happens.

Rosin's right - read up about what to expect as much as you can; it really helps.

[Hidden in reply to Nozmo]

I have done a lot of reading which has helped. I knew withdrawals would be bad just never realized I treated a cigarette like it was family and the lost of it would be this hard. A lot of what I read kept talking about 3-5 days and easing off after a week but for me it's really been a battle. I was never a heavy smoker so didn't think it would be like this. I know me and I am too competitive to let it beat me just underestimated the hold it had

[Nozmo Valued Contributor in reply to Hidden]

Yeah, it's a tricky old devil. I like your resolve though, good for you.

[RoisinO1 Administrator 3 Years Smoke Free in reply to Hidden]

Hey Hidden - what you appear to be reading is the physical withdrawal easing after 3-5 days, after 3 days, the mental battle begins and it is perfectly normal for everyone to go through at this early stage especially if doing it cold turkey.

It doesn't matter if you smoked 1 cigarette a day or 50 a day, the nicotine addiction is the same. But good news, for every day that passes, the stronger you become - below are some pinned posts that may be helpful to you if not already read:

healthunlocked.com/nosmokin.....

healthunlocked.com/nosmokin...

healthunlocked.com/nosmokin........

healthunlocked.com/nosmokin...

[Hidden in reply to RoisinO1]

Thank you for sending tools to use that will help

[RoisinO1 Administrator 3 Years Smoke Free in reply to Hidden]

No problem Hidden - you are doing great, one big tip I forgot to mention, be kind to yourself, pamper yourself, treat yourself as quitting is such an remarkable achievement

[RoisinO1 Administrator 3 Years Smoke Free]

Welcome Hidden and congratulations on 8 days quit, well done! Quitting will be the hardest thing you will ever do BUT the best thing you will do in your life - the benefits are never ending, I promise!

Keep yourself as busy as possible, lots of water, bit of exercise and above all read up on addiction and what is happening, have a look at the pinned posts across the way and just take one day at a time, it is a slow, gradual recovery process, but for every day that passes, the stronger and healthier you become. Post anytime you need to, wishing you strength and success

[Hidden]

Keep going

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Good luck on not smoking. Way harder than I thought, more of a psychological process for me and really underestimated the power it had on me.