3 weeks without a cigarette and i still seem to want one??

[ad356]

i have not smoked a single cigarette in 3 weeks now but when im around someone that is having a cigarette, i still want one. i have not caved. can someone please tell me why this nasty want for a cigarette still wont go away. its getting on my nerves. i really want to know what gives. i would think after 3 weeks i should NO LONGER have any desire to smoke a cigarette. sometimes i think i should just smoke 1 cigarette, i would probably gag and cough on it and no longer want it. i just wish this stupid addiction would go to hell. i remember a doctor once telling me that if i stayed away from cigarettes for 48 hours that i would never go back to it. well be both know that is a bunch of non-sense. using the PV, i have not really experienced to many bad withdrawals but its still like something is missing from the PV that makes me want to have a cigarette.

all of this makes me wonder, what are the putting in cigarettes besides nicotine that makes them addictive. i think they arent telling us the whole truth and nothing but the truth regarding the content of cigarettes.

 

[Elphaba13]

Can I suggest something? Have one. Just one drag even. I've only been off the cigarettes for a week, (and was actually having one of my husbands every morning until 3 days ago) and honestly, your taste buds come back. Last night I had one real cigarette. I felt sick, and it tasted disgusting. That's when I knew I'd never go back. It felt like the first cigarette I ever had -absolutely horrible. Coughing and spluttering everywhere. After 3 drags I crushed it out and thought "I am NEVER doing that again".

Some people may disagree, and offer better suggestions. But for me, I honestly know I will never crave a cigarette again.

 

[washvap]

My suggestion would be to increase your nic level and see how that works for you. I bought some 24mg juices and I haven't had the urge since. But, I've only quit for a week now but that's a miracle for me at least.

Maybe get your self a 10ml bottle just to try it out and see how you like it. Hope that helps

 

[StormFinch]

Elphaba's suggestion is actually a good one. you might be surprised that you won't need another and can go back to vaping happily. You could also try upping your nicotine in times of temptation, and finding a tobacco or other strong juice to vape only during those times might help.

Personally, I was smoking one here and there for almost a year after I started vaping. Sometimes it was one a month, or one a week. Other times, stress periods mostly, it was one a day. It took going to a variable voltage mod for me to quit completely. I think the stock batteries weren't putting out enough power, and all the fiddling was just stressing me out. Since my mod came in though I haven't had a single craving.

 

[juicejunky]

I agree with elphaba13, don't beat yourself up. Have one. Even if it tastes good to you (unlikely), it's not that hard to go back to vaping. If higher nic doesn't help, read the threads about Swedish snus. Some people have a real hard time giving up those extras in cigarettes.

 

[KDK]

Don't be so hard on yourself. I f you really crave a cig, have one. You probably won't even finish it, but even if you do, so what? Think about all the ones you didn't have because of the e-cig! Many of us have taken weeks if not months to completely give up the analogs, and that's OK. It's not a failure if you don't do it all at once. Sometimes it just takes time. And, like the previous poster said, try increasing the nic level.

 

[Cil]

May i suggest another tactic, that worked for me. I went onto the official NRT for a week, mostly the gum and, although it was hard, when I returned to my e-cig it was a revelation and by that time I hated the smell of cigarettes plus I also looked up all the crap that's in traditional cigarettes and also all the diseases they cause.
A good friend of ours has emphysema and she is only 41, so I tried to think of myself haven't to drag and oxygen tank around with me for the rest of my life, not nice!
I know this is a bit drastic, plus i know the e-cigs aren't officially tested, but common sense tells me they have got to be better than analogs.

Good luck, again don't beat yourself up, do what is best for you.

I haven't had a cig for 1.5 years.

 

[mylose64]

When you want a cig, use your PV. It seems obvious, but if I get the slightest urge I just vape like crazy. I still crave a cig now and then.

And yes, Elphaba13 has a good idea. I smoked a cig a week ago to try this new brand that malboro came out with. My friend bought a pack and I asked to try it. I probably smoked 4 drags before I tossed it.

Do everything at your own pace and whatever works for you. Just because your a vapor doesn't mean you can't smoke a cig

 

[Nomoreash]

The Doctor that has the 48 hour theory has probably never smoked.

What your missing in vaping is the 100s of other chemicals and additives put in analogs. You don't have to wonder, research it. Some of it will scare the hell out of you.

What I would suggest trying during those times when the cravings increase is to have some higher nic juice ready to vape. You could load a carto with it, keep it with you and when those times strike just screw it on and vape away.

 

[Valsacar]

Upping nic will probably help (what level are you on now?) and the suggestion about trying one isn't far off. I did both things and haven't had any problems in... 8 months.

 

[zadane]

people will tell you to increase your nic level. which might help a little...

But the thing is smoking is something you did for years. it will take time to get past the urge to want one when you are around other smokers.

I know when I'm at work I get a craving for an analog like never before... just something about that place. I can be chain vaping and get hit with the urge to go outside and smoke... it just takes time to get past it.

 

[grandmato5]

Why do you think so many people that give up smoking return again weeks, months or sometimes years after they have quit? Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but you may never entirely loose your occasional desire to have a cigarette. Its only what you do about that desire that matters. My strongest urge to have one came about 6 weeks in out of nowhere. I was able to chain vape my way through it but it wasn't easy. I haven't had a cigarette in seven plus months now but every once in a while the thought of having a cigarette passes though my brain. Sometimes it sticks around for a while and other times its just a passing thought. It may not be hard to resist now as its just a though not a strong urge, but if someone was standing near me smoking and offered me a cigarettes when that though comes it wouldn't be easy to resist either. Good Luck and keep resisting that urge.

 

[lynleestar]

I quit cold turkey when I was 21 for 2 years, the cravings really don't go away. They fade, but I still had 'habit cravings'. The worst was and still is when I get out of the shower. I don't know why but I instinctively find myself wanting a cig when I get out of the shower.

I had dreams too. Vivid realistic dreams where I could smell the smoke. I would wake up feeling so disappointed like I really smoked.

Lately I've been having dreams that all my PV's are broken!

 

[Ande]

The doctor with the 48 hour theory has never smoked, and has apparently never spoken to anyone who quit smoking before.

Or he's just an idiot.

About the cig- I had one the first week with my PV, when the batteries were dead, I was a wee bit intoxicated and I was dying for a nic fix. It tasted bad, but it worked, and yes, I finished it. (It was the last one in the house, or I might have had more.) So I bought some extra batteries and a PCC, and that hasn't happened again

A few nights ago, in a cafe with a few friends, I had a craving that wouldn't go away- I vaped and vaped, but wasn't getting enough... so I took a drag from a friends marlboro. For some reason, that one tasted great. The next day, I went through this forum, and realised I hadn't EVER cleaned my atties, hadn't even blown them out. No wonder I couldn't get enough vapor. Now I clean my atties regularly.

The thing is, I (and you) smoked for a lot of years. The habit doesn't change over night.

And vaping is harder than smoking, you have to learn how, figure out your gear, get the right gear.

It takes time.

If you really want an analog, have one. But the important thing is that you keep working on your vaping.

Whether you smoke the cig or not, figure this vaping thing out. It's worth it.

Ande

 

[wdave]

I recommend vaping at a minimum of 24mg nicotine. 24mg is suggested as the equivalent of a normal cigarette. You may or may not be able to vape 18 mg, as it is suggested as the equivalent of a light cigarette.

I can personally guarantee that 36 mg will kill the nic craving. However there is still the issue of missing the flavor of tobacco itself. Don't believe the hand-to-mouth addiction nonsense.

I've done a lot of hand-to-mouth exercise with beer. Doing the same exercsize with water just doesn't seem to work.

HTH,
Dave

 

[krykiett]

I can't stress enough what other people have sad, but I can repeat them solidly: It is okay.

You are a human, you did the same thing for a long time, it's been a fraction of that time period that you've been vaping as a replacement. Yes vaping is an alternative, a replacement, it's not truly designed to be the stop smoking aid that some people use it for; don't get me wrong, it has worked and it will most likely work again in the future, but as all things used to quit, there can often be a success/fail/success series of events.

I know all this has been touched on, but it helps and it works: Have one. It should be gross. Up the nic level. From my understanding the pv delivery systems do not administer the amount of nic the way analogs do and that's part of us constantly vaping. Once you hit a nic level that craves your desires, you've gotten to the right spot. Otherwise, just as with smoking, you'll keep vaping constantly with little or no satisfaction. I think that's why some people try vaping and it doesn't work out. Because they see these 'high' levels of nic on the e-cigs and think it is WAY too much.

Someone else touched on this: Get the RIGHT equipment for you. The pen style e-cigs that attempt to resemble analogs have a tendency to have crappy batteries and a poor quality of smoking. Many of the people who have vaped longer than a month have moved onto bigger and better units that hit the sweet spots. There are tons of pieces of equipment and it is overwhelming until you understand how it works, just like everything else we learn in life; sadly vaping does have a higher learning curve.

Keep at it. You can do it. Besides, it's okay to be human and make mistakes once in a while. And remember, you've got us to talk to

 

[ad356]

i started with a njoy, didnt like it at all, i was back to smoking my regular amount in no time. then i bought a 510 titan from totally wicked and while it was better it did NOT have adequate battery life. i found myself begging for cigarettes from my co-workers. i gave up on vapping for probably 7 months. recently i picked up a RIVA 510, and while it is better yet with a much longer battery life still seems to be something missing. i have lasted 3 weeks partially because i have refused to buy them. now i think im going to order some 24 MG juice when i order more. i have been using 18 MG juice and i just dont think it is strong enough. i could also try a LR atomizer? maybe that will help.

 

[wdave]

i started with a njoy, didnt like it at all, i was back to smoking my regular amount in no time. then i bought a 510 titan from totally wicked and while it was better it did NOT have adequate battery life. i found myself begging for cigarettes from my co-workers. i gave up on vapping for probably 7 months. recently i picked up a RIVA 510, and while it is better yet with a much longer battery life still seems to be something missing. i have lasted 3 weeks partially because i have refused to buy them. now i think im going to order some 24 MG juice when i order more. i have been using 18 MG juice and i just dont think it is strong enough. i could also try a LR atomizer? maybe that will help

I've been vaping for 2 years now and I still have a cigarette now and then. Sometimes, when I get around a lot of other smokers. I'll even reward myself once and a while. One of the best things about vaping is you can switch back and forth between vaping and smoking at will. You don't have to worry about picking up a single cigarette and immediately going back to 2 packs a day.

HTH,
Dave

 

[Levitas]

Someone said do a little research on some of the additives and it might scare the hell outta ya, it's true. I'm writing a research paper on smoking alternatives and what I've learned so far, you couldn't pay me to smoke an analog, ever.

I haven't had a cigarette in a little over 5 weeks, I think? and every now and again it crosses my mind 'Just one wouldn't hurt' I step back, grab my PV and VAPE the living hell outta it. If it's not enough, I break out the 100%PG Smooth Menthol and THAT always takes care of any craving.

Cigarettes aren't just about getting nicotine. You've been smoking the 'crack' version of nicotine all of your smoking career. Now that you're vaping, it's just nicotine, so it will take a while to get adjusted. Ammonia and levulinic acid are just two of the 599 additives in cigarettes. Ya wanna know what they do?

When nicotine in its original state is put into your body, it holds an electrical charge. That electrical charge makes it more difficult for the nicotine to absorb into your tissues (lung) and into your bloodstream. But, what ammonia and levulinic acid does is lowers the pH of the nicotine, making it more of a base thus making it super easier to enter your tissues and bloodstream. The end result, more nic hits your brain, more acetycholine receptors are blocked. More dopamine is released, etc etc. In a nutshell, nicotine turned into CRACKotine.

It's actually the same method from changing ....... to crack, using other chemicals to lower the pH of ....... and make it into crack. Pretty freakin' disgusting if you ask me.

Though, some other members have a great idea as well. Try smoking it, it'll probably make you sick and never want it again. That's a good way to condition yourself. Either way, know that you've got our support! Good luck to ya!

 

[ad356]

its pretty disturbing to find that cigarette share things in common with crack(freebasing). did tobacco manufactures study crack and figure out a way to do the same thing with nicotine? thats messed up. when i was growing up cigarettes were allot more acceptable back then than they are today. it was a common sight to drive down the expressway and see a big, huge Marlboro billboard. all of my freinds in high school were smoking at the time. magazine ads were also common. i have noticed that in the past few years advertising has all but dissapeared. i think the next step is the remove cigarette from directly behind the counter at the gas station. get rid of that huge "wall of tobacco products". put them in a back closet somewhere at the gas station out of sight. if you ask for them, you should be able to get them but if not they should be out of sight and out of mind. they should also remove the taxes. i know that sounds counter-productive by lowering the cost, but if you remove monetary gain from the government coffers, the government is going to be more likely to try to eliminate future addiction. the government doesnt care if you die, they only want your money.