Cuthbert

How's it going?

verdi

I smoked for a few years (in 2012 I smoked almost 1 pack and a half a day), and I quit 22 days ago. It was easy once I read Allen Carr's book, really. I'd recommend it to anyone who wants to quit smoking - and to those who don't think they want to, too (I included myself in this group). Once one realises what is all about, quitting is easy. I kept telling myself that I would quit the moment a cigarette didn't feel nice with a cup of coffee, without realising that moment would never come.
I know enjoy my coffee a lot more, and I can actually feel the taste of it in its full splendour. Good luck to all of you who are trying to quit. Just remember there is never a right time to quit, so better do it now than later or never.

Cuthbert

Cool as fhuck mate, well done

Have you seen the DVD?

Circe

Heh, I wasn't really bothering to say much because not a whole lot has happened. I feel a craving pretty much constantly (although the strength of it goes up and down quite a bit) but right now I'm stuck at home all the time so it hasn't been much of a problem. My mum (who quit about a decade ago) suggested I chew a load of gum because it helped her but I've never really liked the stuff so I'm not going to give it a try unless absolutely necessary. I think the real challenge will be in a few days when I'm back to school and around a few people that go out at lunch for a few cigs, and when I walk past my usual supply shop on the way home every day.

verdi

Nope, wasn't even aware there was one. I guess it's not necessary anymore now, though :P
Tonight will be my first night out drinking beer without my old friend. Won't have to go outside every 20 minutes, especially with all the snow. Brilliant

Cuthbert

I think I read in an NHS leaflet that cravings only last 5 minutes, so just be strong.

How have you been finding getting to sleep? That was horrendously difficult for me.

First time drinking is always difficult. That used to be where I would fail. I have learned that if I am slightly tired before I start drinking and drink pints of water in between each beer, I don't want to smoke. In fact once I am at that level where I feel tipsy, every drink from then is a pint of water. I also drink weak lager.

verdi

I get cravings sometimes, but they go away within 5 minutes. Been eating a lot, though
Fluffy, fortunately my best friend hates cigarettes, and he seems happier than me about the fact that I quit, so I can drink confidently, knowing that he'll punch me in the face if I even mention a cigarette. But I really don't want to smoke, either way. I have those cravings now and then, but they're the result of years and years of a bad habit. Even as I am having a craving, I am completely aware that I do not want to smoke: it's just my brain that temporarily thinks I do.

Circe

Just realised my horrible use of the word craving there. Yeah, I didn't mean an actual craving (having them constantly would be a nightmare) but I h
do have a feeling of not getting what I need pretty much constantly, if that makes sense.

verdi

You feel a certain emptiness. It's completely normal. If I were you, I'd be happy about it. I know I am! It's just your body getting used to the loss of a habit. I don't know for how long you smoked, but your body came to see it as a habit, so it's now mourning its loss. A lot of people feel depressed (I had mild depression for about 3 days), because the feeling can be compared to that of losing a close friend or a relative. After all, you could always count on that cigarette to calm you down, to keep you company, to celebrate with you, etc. Just keep in mind that it's all in your head. Bad habits die hard. You really should be happy that you're giving it up. Your body doesn't really like it - FOR NOW -, but it will thank you further down the road. There is absolutely no good reason for lighting up a cigarette. None. Zero.

The feeling will go away. Replace it with a healthy habit and let yourself be consumed by that habit. I embraced the practice of drinking tea. Now I don't need it anymore, but I still do it all the time. Tastes great and it's probably much healthier than all those fumes damaging your lungs and heart.

verdi

By the way, I hope you're not using any nicotine patches or nicotine gum.