Rough time

[MLMR]

Hi. I hope it will helpt to write this off my chest. Im having such a bad day, same as yesterday. The cravings keep on coming, its way worse than the first week. Nothing seems to help for long -> cold water, distraction, breathing. Not sure If I want to yell or cry. I keep telling myself theres no danger, as long as I dont actually light up. What a nasty addiction, bahhh.

[Brioski]

I’m so sorry mlmr, that totally sucks, I can almost feel it for you. I would do both, yell and cry….and curse and punch the air and water, etc. bring everything out the whole wheelhouse….the craves are the worst they’re ever gonna be….they sucked big time well around 28 days and then totallyyyyy got better. Keep pushing bc u got this gf…..do u have TikTok? That was a great distraction for me when I didn’t want to walk and nothing else worked at the moment. 
How are u feeling now? Sorry u posted 2 hrs ago

[DenaliBlues]

Oh M, I’ve been there. Bigtime. There were phases of the quitting process where I felt massive waves of cravings… restlessness, grief, feelings of falling, feeling desperately incomplete. 

 

I promise that it gets better. Every craving conquered builds your quit muscles. This is the “tantrum” stage where the addiction wants its control back. But you will NOT die without smoking. And you will NOT feel this way forever. 
 

The cravings are commercials, not commands. They are just noisy blah blah trying to sell you s—t you don’t wanna buy. Change the channel. Again and again. Because your quit is precious and worth protecting with all your might.
 

You are doing the right thing by writing here and acknowledging the experience. Re-read everything you can about addiction, and double down on staying busy.

 

You can do this.

[QuittingGirl]

I know exactly what you are going through!  That first month is horrible, tons of terrible urges, emotions that are going crazy.  My family hated me that first month because I was so nasty!  I would suck on cinnamon sticks or plastic straws as they helped me, or you can also chew gum.  Go for a walk and try to do things that will make you forget about the urges.  I know it's not easy, but it really does get better.  I'm at 3 1/2 months now and I barely get any urges and when I do they are very short (maybe they last a minute, if that long).  So I promise you it does get better!!  Hang in there!!! 

[Reciprocity]

As you know and others have also said, there's just some awful days we all go through during our early quits, whether that be first week or a little latter on. I recall a few of those days still myself. I was really unsure if I could drag myself through those days or not. 

 

I must say, I think being on a quit smoking forum helped me a lot. Just knowing others had experienced the same thing and had made it through gave me that little bit of extra encouragement I needed to make my own way through those horrid days so hang in there @MLMR. You will be made whole again soon!

[MLMR]

Thanks all for replying. Im almost embarrased now. I went to the beach, took a very long walk. It helped. I would love to answer in my own language now, cant find the words. It was tough. Made it though. Thanks again, so much. 

[jillar]

Yay @MLMR, I'm so glad you got past this! Everyone gave you such good advice and as you can see we all know how much times like that sucked.... They'll soon start getting fewer and farther in between so hang in there

[DenaliBlues]

Glad you are feeling better. Attaway to ride out the wave! 
 

R/E feeling embarrassed, I would offer a counterpoint:

 

Expressing our struggles is a strong act of showing up for ourselves. Addiction thrives in darkness and isolation, so speaking up lets some air and sunshine in, and strengthens our quits.

 

It also helps others. Anything you say offhand today might really help someone else who is struggling tomorrow. Personally, I benefit hugely from exchanges like this and reading everyone’s comments… they give me insight and bolster my quit.
 

So please keep sharing!

 

[overcome]

7 minutes ago, DenaliBlues said:

Glad you are feeling better. Attaway to ride out the wave! 
 

R/E feeling embarrassed, I would offer a counterpoint:

 

Expressing our struggles is a strong act of showing up for ourselves. Addiction thrives in darkness and isolation, so speaking up lets some air and sunshine in, and strengthens our quits.

 

It also helps others. Anything you say offhand today might really help someone else who is struggling tomorrow. Personally, I benefit hugely from exchanges like this and reading everyone’s comments… they give me insight and bolster my quit.
 

So please keep sharing!

 

 

This is defiantly worth reading again, could not agree more, well said. 

[Doreensfree]

You have been given great advice.

Early quits are tough..

Watch our funny animal threads.

When you need to take your mind of things ..  

[jillar]

1 hour ago, DenaliBlues said:

R/E feeling embarrassed, I would offer a counterpoint:

 

Expressing our struggles is a strong act of showing up for ourselves. Addiction thrives in darkness and isolation, so speaking up lets some air and sunshine in, and strengthens our quits.

 

It also helps others. Anything you say offhand today might really help someone else who is struggling tomorrow. Personally, I benefit hugely from exchanges like this and reading everyone’s comments… they give me insight and bolster my quit.
 

So please keep sharing!

 

^^THIS!!^^

[QuittingGirl]

I will say by the end of the month hopefully you will be at least 25% better, probably closer to 50%.  I'm an impatient person and I wanted the urges to be gone on day one, which unfortunately didn't happen,  but the best thing to get rid of the urges is Time!!  You know the old saying, "Time heals all wounds"....and it's so true. The more time passes the easier it will get.  Get yourself one of those tickers like we all have and it will show you your progress, how much time has passed since you last smoked, how much money you saved and how many cigarettes you haven't smoked!  I come on here every day just to look at the ticker...LOL!!!  Also, stick around this forum because the people on here are so great!  They all know exactly what you are going through because everyone that has quit smoking had a "first day, "first month", etc.  We all had "firsts".  Everyone helped me a ton the first month and have been helping me all along.  I don't think I could have done it without these wonderful people!!!  Just keep coming back on here every day.  

[overcome]

Think I am going to have to agree with @QuittingGirl we want to see your ticker. 

[Brioski]

SO happy you’re feeling better M!! They’ll go and come and go again. What Denali said is RIGHT ON