Hii I’m on my third day of being smoke free but am really struggling.
I’ve read online that cravings only last a few days but other say months so I’m not really sure what sources to believe.
Would appreciate the insight from ex-smokers since I guess they’re the ones who really know!
Thanks
Hello Anastasia, sorry to hear you're struggling.
I personally think it's difficult to put a timeline on it. The actual physical dependency goes after a few days but then there's the psychological aspect to deal with as well. That bit isn't so easy to predict. I found I was still getting cravings up to about three months before I really started to notice a difference. Even then there was no definite line that I could say I had crossed - it just gradually gets easier until not smoking start to feel normal rather than shockingly abnormal! Sometimes you can go for days without a craving and then it hits you hard for no apparent reason. That stays for hours (or maybe a full day) and then you feel alright again. It's crazy!
I would suggest weathering the storm of the early days and you will stat to get good days, which become more and more frequent. Always be on your guard for triggers that come out of nowhere. When they do arise try to remember that it's perfectly normal and everything hasn't gone hideously wrong.
I found it very difficult at the start, even though I used an e-cig. It does get better though and it is definitely worth persevering. I've been off them for 3 years now (anniversary today!) and I've been off the ecigs for 2 and a half years.
Hope that helps and hope the cravings ease off for you during the evening.
Thanks for your response and congratulations on staying off them for that long can hardly imagine what that feels like but well done!!
No problem and thanks!
Great response from Roisin there. Knowledge IS power and the more you know what to expect the better equipped you are to deal with it.
I would really encourage talking to other people who are at the same stage as you in their quit. Nobody can understand how you're feeling better than somebody who is going through exactly the same thing. There was a group of us on the forum at more or less the same stage 3 years ago and there is no doubt that talking to other people , going through the same thing helped a lot.
Yeah I agree and am gonna try join some kinda forum for moral support lol. As much as friends who support me are appreciated, it’s hard to believe them when they’ve either never smoked or never quit!
Welcome Anastasia198 - huge congratulations on 3 days smoke free, well done! I am over 3 years smoke free cold turkey. Everyone is different in their withdrawals and cravings, but would say for me, severe cravings eased around the 3 to 6 months mark. As Nozmo mentioned, the physical withdrawals from nicotine is usually out of your system after 3 days if going cold turkey, then the mental battle begins as your body and mind begin the gradual process of rewiring, repairing and recovering. Take it one day at a time, even hour by hour if needs be. Be kind to yourself and take time out, what you are doing is going to be one of the best achievements of your life. Drink loads and loads of water, avoid caffeine and alcohol for the short term until things settle down. Eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables and get out in the fresh air daily to clear the head.
Below pinned posts are worth a read if not already done so, as knowledge is power!!
healthunlocked.com/nosmokin...
healthunlocked.com/nosmokin...
healthunlocked.com/nosmokin...
Keep in touch with us 
wow thanks for all the information I really appreciate it- especially the water trick, I feel a lot better after chugging lol. and that's also so amazing and inspiring to know you've managed to stay quit for that long. you should be really proud of yourself I hope I can make it that far too
How old are you and how old were you when you started to smoke ?.
26 and I started about 15
Anastasia Congratulations...You can do it !!!
Excellent advice from Nozmo and Roisen ...we all quitted about the same time on different methods but managed to overcome our cravings....(Yes we cried together, ranted together and laughed together)
As Nozmo said...There is no time line....or difficult to put a time line on...and please I am not being cruel and understand the suffering that first few days and months...
Anastasia.....The cravings Never goes away ........It just get less intense up to a stage where it is unnoticed...After a while when your senses return you will not believe how bad a smoker smells...but even after 3 and half years that freshly lit cigarette smells so good....but in such a way a flower smells (you do not want to eat a nice smelling flower??)
I will never smoke again because I have tasted the sweetness of life the way it should be...
My believe is...The cravings stop the moment you want it to stop....
Strongs and keep on posting ..it really helps..!!
Thanks for the response!u should all be really proud for achieving that and not giving up!!Thankfully my cravings have began to subside a little tho mentally it is getting harder. I feel a little jealous when I see someone smoking, even tho I know I shouldn’t lol
sorry to say i have been a non-smoker now for a year but still have cravings at least once a day if not more. Just suck a sweet or do something else it passes quite quickly.
Appreciate the honesty - will keep that in mind thanks
Over 1 week smoke free now Anastasia198 - how is things going?
1 month smoke free now Anastasia198 - how are you keeping?
How Long Will I Feel Like This?
