EMERGENCY!!! Help! I'm Craving a Smoke!

[historyteach]

Help! I'm Craving a Smoke

If you have a sudden craving for a smoke, you will need an instant reaction. Fortunately there is always something you can do.

Which of these will help me right now?
I'll do the 4 Ds:
Deep breathe
Drink a glass of water
Do something else
Delay for 10 minutes (if it doesn't help, delay for 10 more: cravings rarely last more than 20 minutes!)

I'll figure out what's going on by asking myself:

What is causing this craving right now?


What can I do to change the situation?


I'll tell myself:

No matter what happens, I'm not going to smoke
This is hard, but I'm determined

Smoking won't make this better -- it will make it worse

No smoking!


Here's another thing I can say:
I'll take a time out:

I'll do a few minutes of deep breathing

I'll imagine I'm on a mini vacation

I'll talk to someone:

I'll call a friend or family member who supports my quitting

I'll contact a stop-smoking program


Most cravings will come up when you are out there in the real world, away from the computer. Print out the following summary page and carry it with you just in case you need it.

Thought this would be a helpful piece of information.
No, I am not having an emergency right now....but I've been there. I know how miserable it CAN be. And knowledge is power!
We have the power over those coffin nails!

Shalom!

[CAPTAINZING2000]

I keep my mind so busy the thought isn't present. After the intial craving is gone in a couple of days, the rest in in the mind!!!


Changing life styles is so very important. Sad, I stay away from my friends right now that smoke. You have to to keep your thoughts free from smoking.

[historyteach]

You're right; that psychological addiction is the reason most people fail. That's why changing our behaviors is so important; it breaks that psychological link.
You know what I say, Capt. Whatever works, do it!

Shalom!

[sun daisy]

I get a craving I take 3 or 4 long deep cleansing breaths. Kind of like when I was in labor with the kids!!!!!!! Really helps. Of course husband asks whats wrong? Your sighing again. Noooo I want a cig and now I don't. Works for me.

[sadcat]

I'll tell myself:

No matter what happens, I'm not going to smoke
This is hard, but I'm determined

Smoking won't make this better -- it will make it worse

No smoking!

I really just used this one yesterday. My AS was missing again, and I got the craving for a cig. Then I asked myself if that would bring him back sober and clean. -- I could easily answer NO, so didn't have a puff.

Thanks for being here with so many helpful hints.

[historyteach]

SadCat;
That's an excellent use of your new skills to keep you from smoking again! Congratulations!!!
Smoking never made anything better for me. Indeed, it always made things worse - less money in my pocket; more coughing; more sickness; longer sickness; smelly clothing, car and house....on and on....

Keep up the good work, and remember, post before you puff!

Shalom!

[notthirsty13]

Remember...where ever the mind is, the behind will follow.
Your thoughts are your thoughts. Stop thinking about the illusion of how
a cigarrette is your salvation...that voice is a liar. Instead listen to the
voice that chooses to lead a clean healthy life. The voice that says you want to live...and live a quality, fun. loving existance. The voice of the liar
is persistant because it knows...just like a whining child, if it continues to
badger and be persistant you will give in. And there is apart of you that knows there is no true gratification in smoking. Once done...you'll worry again about your health, money ect. The cycle would have began again.

Just don't answer the door when the voice of the liar knocks. Pretend no one is home.

[historyteach]

VERY NICE POST, Notthirsty!!!
Thank you for sharing!

And welcome to SR!!!

I assume you've quit? Either way, I know that liar's voice all too well. And it does indeed behave like a spoiled child, demanding it's own way. That liar, I call the nicodemon. He's lied to me so very often - one won't hurt; just because I'm happy, sad, mad...; I can't quit anyway; I've had one, so I'm lost anyway; I'm too much of a loser to quit... All of them are LIES! And I choose not to listen anymore. :nono:

No one is home when the nicodemon knocks!!!

Remember, keep the quit and post before you puff!

Shalom!

[notthirsty13]

I'm 17 days in, and hanging.

[historyteach]

GREAT!!!
I hope to see you here sharing your ESH often!

I am now One month, three weeks, three days, 8 hours, 47 minutes and 38 seconds smoke free. That's 2174 cigarettes not smoked, saving $598.03. Life saved: 1 week, 13 hours, 10 minutes.
If you want the link to keep track of your progress, it's www.silkquit.org
I find it to be quit an incentive!

Shalom!