| Withdrawal Cravings |
Withdrawal Cravings Tips
The withdrawal cravings that come with smoking cessation can be very intense. Frequently, by day 2 or 3, the
withdrawal cravings will peak. As in the story below, many report relapsing during this first week of nicotine withdrawal.
The gateway to relapse is the simple idea that smoking 1 cigarette won't hurt. Unfortunately, that cigarette leads to
another and then another. Here is a list of tips many people say helped them with their withdrawal cravings.
Using a stop smoking aid can double your chance of success over quitting cold turkey alone. However, if you are
mentally prepared for the cravings and have a plan in place, then you are in a much better position to quit smoking
regardless of the method you choose. But understand the cravings will not go away; you will have to face them for
several weeks. But don't worry, they do begin to lessen. But don't get overconfident. Treat smoking as a life long
addiction, just like an alcoholic does with drinking. Have the attitude that you are never truly over the addiction.
Sally's Relapse - Sabotaged by Withdrawal Cravings
underestimated the power of nicotine. She didn't have a plan to quit and she didn't get any help.
The withdrawal cravings that come with smoking cessation can be very intense. Frequently, by day 2 or 3, the
withdrawal cravings will peak. As in the story below, many report relapsing during this first week of nicotine withdrawal.
The gateway to relapse is the simple idea that smoking 1 cigarette won't hurt. Unfortunately, that cigarette leads to
another and then another. Here is a list of tips many people say helped them with their withdrawal cravings.
1. Chew gum or suck on lollipops
2. Keep a piece of hard candy in your mouth
3. Some like to drink water
4. Go for a brisk walk
5. Join a gym and go there for a quick exercise when a major craving hits
6. Call your non-smoking friends and hang out with them
7. Go to a non-smoking bookstore to read
8. Start a hobby like scrap-booking or gardening
9. Keep nuts in the shell around and eat them instead
10. Wash your hands or take a shower
11. Light candles or incense instead of cigarettes
12. Play tennis or other sport - it's hard to play and smoke
13. Do crossword or sudoku puzzles
14. Brush your teeth
15. Clean the house or do some chores
Using a stop smoking aid can double your chance of success over quitting cold turkey alone. However, if you are
mentally prepared for the cravings and have a plan in place, then you are in a much better position to quit smoking
regardless of the method you choose. But understand the cravings will not go away; you will have to face them for
several weeks. But don't worry, they do begin to lessen. But don't get overconfident. Treat smoking as a life long
addiction, just like an alcoholic does with drinking. Have the attitude that you are never truly over the addiction.
Sally's Relapse - Sabotaged by Withdrawal Cravings
"I stopped smoking about 2 days ago and the cravings are making me sick. I can't
sleep. I want to stop smoking, but I also want a cigarette soooo bad!!! I feel like if I just
have one, I'll calm down. I'm so fidgety. I'm afraid I won't make it..."
"Great, I fell off the wagon! I couldn't sleep, looked all around for some. Finally found
them in the trash. I can't believe I dug them out and smoked one. UGH!! Went to bed.
I smoked the rest today. I don't think I can ever stop. But I'll try again tomorrow. I don't
have any around, so I should be good, right?"
underestimated the power of nicotine. She didn't have a plan to quit and she didn't get any help.
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intense cravings while others may not. It's important to not have preconceived notions about what your cravings will be like. Just expect that you'll have them and be ready to deal them regardless of how intense they may or may not be. Remember this rule: expect and then plan for the worst, and you won't be disappointed. Develop strategies ahead of time to handle your withdrawal cravings. What will you do? Will you keep something close by to help? Who will you call? Also, plan for the withdrawal cravings to hit you at different times of the day and in different settings (home, school, work, etc.). Know what you'll do when they hit. With a little advance planning, you can overcome the stop smoking withdrawal cravings like a pro. |
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| Start enjoying what life can be! |
| Start an exercise program at home with Wii-Fit |
| Enjoy flavored chewing sticks when you need a hand-to-mouth distraction |