surething

It's day sixteen of being booze-free. I haven't felt this happy and healthy since I was a young boy. The exhilaration after all the years of depression and misery is overwhelming (in a good way).

Anyway, on with the issue at hand!

I'm sure this is a common occurrence: an ex-smoker quits drinking and experiences recurring cigarette cravings. I fit the bill for that description. For the past two years, I have been off cigarettes. I haven't had a single puff since then and the odor of secondhand smoke repulses me. However, in the past few days I have been troubled with thoughts, cravings, and dreams of cigarettes. I will make it out fine, but I'm curious as to what's causing this. Is this simply my Addictive Voice craving another source of dopamine? Perhaps it's merely coincidence? Have any ex-smokers experienced the same thing I am going through? Thanks for the input.

Vigo

YES. When I quit drinking/drugs, I had not smoked a cigarette for over a year and a half. I didn't have the slightest urge to smoke, even when I was wasted drunk.

I'm now 11+ months clean and sober. I've been cravings cigarettes that entire duration, and started smoking on and off around month 9. I smoked both Saturday and Sunday of this last weekend, which is the first time I have smoked in consecutive days in years.

I would hate to get back into a daily smoking habit again. I've been able to limit myself to just weekends, but I don't even want to do that.

All that said, it hasn't any effect whatsoever on cravings for alcohol. I am disgusted and turned off by alcohol as I was the day I quit. Sometimes, though, I think smoking cigarettes makes it harder for me to convince myself that I shouldn't be smoking weed, which by all accounts is less harmful to your body (I'm not endorsing marijuana here, just stating a fact).

mwstylee

I used to be a major pot-head and cigarette smoker in my teenage years. Then quit that when my drinking career started around 19 in college. Didn't crave cigarettes for about 6 years. Now I'm quitting drinking and just picked up a pack last week...just something for my hands to do I thought.

I used to smoke a half-pack a day like back then, but it's been more like 2 cigarettes a day this time. I don't really even like the nicotine buzz anymore, and planning on finishing this pack just to "get my money's worth" ..but they don't do it for me anymore.

surething

I guess there's a reason the ashtrays overfloweth at AA! Note: I don't attend AA meetings.

Thanks for sharing your experiences. I have been using snus (smokeless tobacco) for the past few years and it has always kept my cigarette cravings at bay, but since quitting drinking the urge has reared its ugly head again. I'll just stick with the snus and resist the urge to smoke.

hirsty

to all the cigarette smokers.. Check out the electronic cigarettes/personal vaporisers.. They really do work!! I was doing really well off the cigs using my eGo Tank electric cigarette rockin the blueberry nicotine eliquid..

Sadly put it down and started smoking roll ups again.. Must get back on the eGo Tank!!

mwstylee

Oh yeah, I also picked up a pack of snus with the cigs last week. I used to enjoy chew back in the day but for some reason, snus has given me the worst gut ache. I'm happy my body is just out-right rejecting nicotine in all forms...don't need another vice!

Vigo

Oh man, I used to LOVE (Camel) snus. Actually, snus helped me "quit" smoking the first time I quit (that being my 1.5 year abstinence). I used to have it in my mouth during work, my boss was totally cool with it. Maybe I'll pick up some snus next time the urge to smoke hits me again. Thanks for the reminder!

totfit

Probably the quickest way back to drinking would be to pick up smoking again.

gaffo

I smoked two packs a day from 17-29, despite the fact that they killed many many members of my family. It's been too long (17 years) since I quit that vile habit to really compare the quit to that of beer but damn I do remember it being a BITCH! The AV has a gentle voice, trying to convince me that it would be okay to drink just one but the nicotine voice--brutal, like listening to a bad child have a tantrum. A couple of the friends that I quit smokes with still wage running street fights with nicotine, snuse, chew, and secret (ha!) smoking. My dad can barely breathe and my mom smokes.

Friends who make $15/hr smoking a $10 pack a day is a rotten thing. Of course, since I'm in my forties, my friends who still smoke sound and look terrible. I tell them to stop committing suicide in front of me, don't you want to play with your grand kids some day? I can't stay like that though, I just have to sit back and watch the gross slow death dance of the terminally addicted smoker. They won't quit, it's too strong. Look down outside the oncology ward, what do you see? Cigarette butts!

But hey, in the name of honesty, I have to say that yes, I still get cravings for a smoke once in a while, more since I quit drinking. Right now, a Camel straight would go fantastic with this steaming hot cup of black coffee. Ain't gonna happen. I'm thinking of my dear friend Jerry, in the morning I wish I didn't have to hear his wet hacking cough until it settles down. Then I worry if he's still breathing.

2granddaughters

I think the disease of alcoholism is a living thing ... that, like all living things, doesn't want to die.
When I began to get sober, I suddenly was plagued by numerous things that hadn't been much of a problem in the past.
I wanted to eat more, sleep more, work more, go to the casino, marry Pamela Anderson... you get the drift.

Best wishes on your road to recovery.

Bob R.


My old sponsor said: "It's alcoholism.. not alcoholwasm"

bmwcycle

I disagree. When I quit drinking a little over a year ago I was a social smoker , two or three cigars a week and depending on how much I was drinking and a few cigs as I got drunker.

I started smoking more cigars as more sober time went on and now I smoke about two a day, down from three to four a few months back.

I know it is not good for me, but I enjoy the idea of a cigar, the ritual of ending the day,relaxing and putting everything in perspective while taking 30 minutes to myself. I used to justify my drinking this way also and the ritual of putting the kids to bed and going on the patio to smoke has replaced the half bottle of vodka I used to consume.

again it works for me, not recommending to anyone else.

ForeverDecember

Interesting topic! I hadn't heard of the connection before.

I quit a couple years before quitting drinking, and had no cravings even when drinking. I still don't actually. But I have had a very vivid, realistic dream where I was smoking since being sober. I haven't had a dream like that in a very, very long time (can't even remember the last time) and I often remember my dreams.

I wonder if it's my brain's way of saying "Well if you won't drink at least start smoking!"

Luckily it tasted awful in my dream anyway