I Know...

[Michael121]

I know I’m new to this and this is all kind of odd for me to be writing about my cravings and desires to smoke but I’m going to give it a shot.  It’s been 3 weeks now and all of a sudden, the past two days I have really been wanting just to have a cigarette.  I have read posts on here, gone through videos, know all the negative things associated with smoking, but man, there are some days I just miss it.  
I was about go to Vegas this past week but had to cancel for work related reasons and all I kept thinking was how nice it would be to be in a casino, have a cocktail and a smoke.  Maybe not going was a good idea but the thought of it is weighing heavy. I’m sure I know the answer, but does anyone think I can only smoke there (Vegas) and not bring it back?  Kind of like gambling and drinking, I hardy do either unless I’m in Vegas, could that be a thing?  

All thoughts I have are how they (cigarettes) made me feel when feeling stressed or irritable.  I try justifying it all and honestly feel crazy having an argument with myself over buying a pack or not.  
 

Cravings have gotten less; so just trying to make it through this one.  Thanks for listening.  I feel just typing this all out has helped, at least for this latest craving.

[jillar]

Good on you for posting Michael, I think you already know that its impossible for nicotine addicts like us to have "just one" or smoke "just while......". So now that we have that answered, there's something about the three's. Three days, three weeks, three months that make the craves suddenly come on strong. Don't quite know the science behind it but it happens to A LOT of us.

That being said, just that you posted tells me you REALLY don't want to cave and that alone should give you the confidence you need to get past it. It's only temporary and it will pass.

One trick I used when I was having a bad crave day was using my JAC (jillars air cigarette), I just pretended I was holding an actual cigarette in my fingers and then went through the motions of "smoking" it. It worked REALLY well at tricking my mind into thinking it was getting the real thing.

You're doing great and I'm so glad you cancelled your trip to Vegas, it's a horrible time with this virus to be in a casino! 

[Doreensfree]

This is Junkie thing Micheal....

You only have to ask yourself one question ....

Do I want to be  Smoker for the rest of my life .....

Something's  is always going to pop up .....

Excuses ....you can find them everywhere ....

Maybe you should have some time behind you ,before you go where smoking and drinking is allowed ..

Well  done for coming here ...this is how you save your precious Quit ....

 

[Sazerac]

Congratulations on your quit, Michael.

 

Hold on to your commitment with everything you've got.

 

Your craves and urges and triggers will pass.

 

Stay focused and reward yourself for beating this.

 

 

[Sazerac]

You, like us, are nicotine addicts.

We cannot have just one.

This is impossible and if you listen to the addiction instead of the Truth, you will remain a slave.

 

[Reciprocity]

No you can not smoke in Vegas then stay quit when you return home. It doesn't work that way. Nicotine addiction is a lot different than occasional drinking or gambling. You're probably not addicted to either of those.

IMO, you'd be nuts to throw away a 3 week investment in your healthier future. It's not as hard today for you to fight the cravings as it was three weeks ago so why cave now!

[Michael121]

Thank you all.  The support is very nice to have.  I am a non-smoker and want to remain one.  I have felt more confidence with each passing day, I was just sort of shocked at the last two days and the cravings coming up.  Thank you all again.  It has subsided for now, just have to maintain to never ever, Again.  
 

[Doreensfree]

Way to go Micheal....

You know you will be so disappointed in yourself ....

Be proud of that strong quit ....don't lose it for anything ...we promise you will in time be so glad you did .

[johnny5]

 

52 minutes ago, Michael121 said:

 I’m sure I know the answer, but does anyone think I can only smoke there (Vegas) and not bring it back?  Kind of like gambling and drinking, I hardy do either unless I’m in Vegas, could that be a thing? 

 

NOPE, if you smoke anywhere, you will bring it back.  You (and the rest of us here on this site) are nicotine addicts.  They key is to put smoking (and other nicotine use) behind you once and for all.  Things will get better with time and, at some point, you will no longer have to fight cravings like this.

 

You are doing great with 3 weeks smoke free and these first few days/weeks really are the toughest time.  It would be a shame to throw that away with a cigarette.

 

Keep the quit.  You will be glad you did.

[Mona]

The junkie mind tries to figure out a way to remain quit and get it's fix.  Does not compute unfortunately.  Glad you're feeling better...

[catlover]

As Johnny says, no matter where you smoke, you will bring it back and continue when you get home. I think you know that anyway. Definately junkie thinking and romancing the times, you did it before and enjoyed it. Its just nostalgia!

Leave it there in the past, and stay smoke free. It will get easier in time, and you will learn to love your new smoke free life, and feel comfortable that you dont  want or need that anymore.

Stay positive.

[Sazerac]

16 hours ago, Michael121 said:

I was just sort of shocked at the last two days and the cravings coming up.  
 

 

Michael,

Your quit is very young, very young.

You may experience some craves that come out of the blue and may be quite ferocious.

These are the dying embers of your active addiction, some brain receptors haven't been switched yet.

As time goes by, these thoughts will fade from aggressive to annoying to pffttt.

 

Also, the first year brings seasonal triggers so, expect these.

and really, throughout our lives triggers may pop up at particularly stressful times, a drama, a loss.

These should serve as reminders that NOPE is the way to stay free.

 

 

[JohnQ]

17 hours ago, Michael121 said:

... but does anyone think I can only smoke there (Vegas) and not bring it back? ...

 

Hello Michael,

 

Please keep in mind that smoking is Nicotine Addiction, one cigarette and you'll be an addict again.  I once blew a 2-year quit because of a similar idiotic thought. 

 

3 weeks quit is a great milestone because the Nicotine has gone out of your system, you should no longer have any physical withdrawal, those are just mental cravings which can be coped with.  Take a deep breath, drink water, find something to do and it will pass.

 

Quit smoking is probably the most precious gift that you could have given yourself, so do yourself a huge favor and protect this wonderful delicate gift.  You got this Michael!

 

JohnQ

[Doreensfree]

1 hour ago, JohnQ said:

 

Hello Michael,

 

Please keep in mind that smoking is Nicotine Addiction, one cigarette and you'll be an addict again.  I once blew a 2-year quit because of a similar idiotic thought. 

 

3 weeks quit is a great milestone because the Nicotine has gone out of your system, you should no longer have any physical withdrawal, those are just mental cravings which can be coped with.  Take a deep breath, drink water, find something to do and it will pass.

 

Quit smoking is probably the most precious gift that you could have given yourself, so do yourself a huge favor and protect this wonderful delicate gift.  You got this Michael!

 

JohnQ

^^^^^ This ^^^^^^

[NADA]

Yo! Have you heard of this thing called Coronavirus?  It's a deadly pandemic that is completely out of control in the U.S. It's main method of transmission is primarily close, indoor contact. Exactly the type of environment you would find in Vegas. The probability of acquiring it increases exponentially with the number of people you encounter.  Especially if they're from all over the country (potentially a "hot spot"). 

 

The fact that you're considering two agonizing ways to kill yourself 1.) the slow way from smoking 2.) the quick way from COVID-19, shows just how stupid and reckless addiction makes us. 

[notsmokinjo]

I found week 3 hard....and then a customer on the other side of the country asked on the phone if was ok because I didn't seem myself, so I mentioned my quit and he gave me advice that really helped me....

Don't worry about tomorrow, just worry about today. Promise yaself Today I am not going to smoke and then make sure you dont. You know you can not smoke for 24 hours, you did it yesterday and the day before. Only focus on the next 24.

It works.

 

[Doreensfree]

Jo is right ...one day at a time ...

Come and take the daily pledge ....it really is a powerful tool....!!!