How long until I feel better?

[kizwiz]

I stopped 20 days ago and still crave like mad. I have patches and ecig!

[nixy 27 Months Winner]

Hi kizwiz, sorry to hear you are still craving, maybe its early days, but I stopped for 6 months and still thought about fags but it did get better so hang on in there and you will get there in the end. I am on champix at the moment but have tried patches and found that whatever I use I still get cravings. I did stop for 6 months but started again and am now 23 days into my new quit. Good luck

[monky Administrator Cake sniffer outer]

Aup Kizwiz, I welcome you to this lovely quit support site

As for you still craving at 3 weeks, this is pretty normal as we are all different, they will get less and easier to deal with as you go You are doing so so well, you try to keep positive and focused on your quit, so when you do get a craving, you can kick it out the flippin door and get on with your new smoke free life

Good luck, Pete

[kizwiz 1 YEAR WINNER in reply to monky]

Thanks monkey, so far so good. Really glad I found this Site, think it's going to help having like minded people to talk to.

[monky Administrator Cake sniffer outer]

Hey Kizwiz, I've just found this post wich may help you, Jillygirl, one our lovely members posted it a few days ago

Dealing with Cravings

Even though you’ve officially quit smoking, the urge to smoke may come and go. Many times, cravings can result from being hungry, angry, lonely, tired, or bored. Think back to your triggers for smoking and use your action plan for how you’ll deal with cravings and keep the tips below in mind to help you through them. Remember that trying something to beat the urge is always better than trying nothing.

Keep other foods around that can help you get through a craving. Try carrots, pickles, sunflower seeds, apples, celery, raisins, licorice or sugarfree gum.

Wash your hands when you have an intense craving.

Stay busy, especially with activities that use your hands.

Don’t get down on yourself.

Think positively and find healthy outlets for stress or anger. If something bothers you, learn to relax quickly by taking deep breaths. Take 10 slow, deep breaths and hold the last one. Then breathe out slowly.

Picture a soothing, pleasant scene. Think only about that peaceful image and nothing else.

Light incense or a candle instead of a cigarette.

Go outside, or move to a different room. Try changing what you are doing.

Remember, having just one cigarette will hurt. Don’t allow yourself to go down the path of justifying the urge to smoke. It will undo the work, commitment and progress you’ve made thus far.

Months or Years After You’ve Quit

Cravings can pop up even after you’ve been smoke-free for months or even years. What if you do smoke? The difference between a slip and a relapse – going back to smoking as you used to – is within your control. You can use the slip as an excuse to go back to smoking, or you can look at what went wrong, learn from what happened, and renew your commitment to staying smoke-free.

If you do relapse, try not to get too discouraged. Quitting smoking is difficult and it takes most people several attempts before they quit for life. What’s important is understanding what helped you in your attempt to quit and what worked against you. You can then use this information to make a stronger attempt at quitting the next time.

It’s important to remember that substituting other forms of tobacco, like low tar/nicotine cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, pipes or cigars is not a safe alternative to smoking. These products contain nicotine, are harmful to your health, and do not reduce your risk of smoking-related disease.

[andi22]

Hi Kiz and welcome to our lovely community. Of course the cravings will get better, not sure when they ever go away but they do get easier to deal with. Just tell yourself that you don't do that and shout them out the door and join in the daily chat to help stay focussed.

3 weeks tomorrow is great going. Good luck with the quit and see you again soon. Andi

[kizwiz 1 YEAR WINNER in reply to andi22]

Thanks andi, 23 days and counting. It helps to know I can come on here and vent.

[kizwiz 1 YEAR WINNER]

Thanks nixy for the support. I too stopped before for 5 months. Really trying to stay positive this time cos I started again due to feeling so sad about it. I know that's crazy but couldn't, help it. Maybe having support from you guys on here will keep me from feeling that way this time.

[EmJay Partner]

Hi Kizwiz, welcome to Quit Support

Positivity is key to success so it's good that you recognise this.

You're now 23 days in,make it to 28 and then you really do strengthen your chances of staying quit

Do we have your name up on our Wall of Winners - the place where every quitter is a winner? If not, let me know your quit date and I'll see that it's displayed

[kizwiz 1 YEAR WINNER in reply to EmJay]

Hi emjay. My quit date was 28th October.

[EmJay Partner in reply to kizwiz]

All updated Kizwiz, you are now on our Wall of Winners