combating cravings

[realsis]

Hi friends, I'm on day 34 of not smoking. I basically cruised up to this point without smoking but lately I've been under a ton of stress and I've been craving a smoke like crazy. I have NOT smoked but I'm sure having a bit of rough cravings right now. It's so weird cause I never had cravings before. Now I've got quite a bit of stress at home and all I've been thinking of is smoking. Guess i need a little support about now. I've gone this far and I don't want to ruin it. I don't think it's a nicotine thing cause I'm vaping 24 mg. I don't know what's making me feel this way other than pure stress. How do you all handle it when the stress comes? I don't want to give in but this past week has been a real struggle. It wasn't even this hard in the beginning when I first quit. Anyone have any tips or advice? I would much appreciate it.

 

[Nermal]

Dunno Sis. It would sure be a shame to waste all the self discipline you've shown so far.

 

[Bernard Marx]

I would say you could have a smoke or two and then start over tomorrow with the vaping. You probably won't even like the analogs very much. No one is judging you but yourself. vaping will win out in the end.

 

[Weizenheimer]

It is actually common to have cravings around that amount of days anyway. I fought them off by just vaping up a storm when they came on.

 

[Burnie]

I always kept some 36mg/ml loaded for the stressful times, and that helped me. Hang tough, it does get easier over time.

Vape On
Burnie

 

[Jugband]

Stress seems to be a trigger for everyone in the beginning, it sure use to be for me. Just try and vape through it. If you do slip up, I'm certain you'll find the analogs are not what you remembered them to be anymore. I like something I read here once, "Don't count the cigarettes you smoked, count the ones you didn't" Also, believe me! The cravings will pass one day for good if you just stay with it! Best of luck to you! You CAN do this!

 

[CountBoredom]

I read that cigs also provide an anti-depressant in the smoke--I suspect that is a big reason that stress triggers cravings. Vapor doesn't contain this substance, so its effect in this regard could be dampened.

Realsis, I've read about some of your circumstance in another thread. My advice is to do what you need to do to get your personal life on-track. You've come so far and it would be a shame to have a lapse in willpower. If you have the strength to fight the smoking battle in addition to the other things, then you need to steel your resolve and remain steadfast. However, bigger and more important issues in your life should take precedence. If you cannot fight both battles, deal with the more immediate problems and save the smoking vs. vaping battle for another day. You've proven you can do this--and the vaping gear will still be there when you're ready. As we all say to those who do not quit smoking the minute they pick up a vape, "It's about how many cigarettes you DON'T smoke." Besides, perhaps the taste will just make you turn to vaping even more...?

Please do not take this as a suggestion to give up on vaping; I'm merely suggesting that, given what you may possibly be facing, you not beat yourself up if you do decide to fall off the wagon. We're only human...

Best of luck, and remember that we're here for you!

 

[Burn_notice_fan_NY]

It's the threes that I heard about. Three days, three weeks, three months when the cravings become heavy. Hold off for a few days and you'll be good! If you do have one, just start again and think of how many you've avoided.

 

[lilpeach]

Hang in there! This too shall pass.

 

[minimalsaint]

If you want a cig, have a cig. This isn't a contest and nobody is judging you. As mentioned before, you probably won't even enjoy it, so take it as a lesson learned and move forward. Probably best to bum that cig though. Wasting money on a whole pack seems senseless.
Good luck with your personal affairs. When you're down, the only view you can see is up. Focus on the positive.

 

[Rat2chat2]

Yep, get ya some "reserve nerve" juice like I do. Higher in nic that what you are tooting. That way just knowing it is there if you need it....gets rid of some of the anxiety. Hate to see anyone being really hard on themselves and hope you work through this. You will get all the support you can handle from this group of wonderful people. Let us know how you are doing. Good luck to ya.

 

[Shootist]

I've been through this with another substance, now 22 years away from that other substance. It's not easy but it does get better.

Smoking, IMHO, is much harder to quit than anything else. I've tried many time over the last 4-6 years. Locked myself in my house for 5 days with no smokes. Figured I had it made. Went out to get some food and, "You Guested it", a pack of Cigs.

The main reason I think smoking is so hard to quit is you can do anything while you are smoking. Work, play, talk, whatever. Not so with other substances.

I suggest you find a support group, Smokers anonymous or something. Or maybe start a group, Vapers not Smokers.

Had a very stressful day a week ago. Work was getting overwhelming and then I got an email from someone that bought a very expensive item I had on eBay. They wanted to return it. I already, in my mind, had that money spent/allocated and now I had to give it back. Boy did I want a Smoke. So I just Vaped and Vaped and Vaped. In the end there was nothing I could do about it. It is what it is, I have no control over that other person or that situation. I just had to accept it. That to me is the key, Acceptance.

Grant me the serenity to accept the things i cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and the Wisdom to know the difference.

Not that my situation is the same as yours but you just have to deal with the hard times and Not smoke.

 

[Ld3441]

This is exactly what happened to me. Worry/stress is hard enough but adding not smoking to that can be overwhelming at times.

I agree with the suggestion of having higher nicotine on hand. When I was stressed I only vaped the higher nicotine and it did help tremendously. I stayed on the higher nicotine for a few weeks and it was hard to "step down" again once things in life calmed down.

The other thing I'd say is if it is really getting to you, have a cigarette it's not the end of the world if you do. As I was told at the time... it's not the ones you smoke you should worry about but celebrate all the ones you didn't smoke. It is not like you have to start all over again. I did have a couple during that time but it really didn't help so I didn't give in to it any more. I hope your stress eases up for you soon. Good luck to you!

 

[Yasmin65]

Heya realsis... yeah.. it not easy.. but hang in there... it took me a year to get over the 'cravings'... I've been better last couple months but honestly struggled the first year.

Long term benefits are worth the fight.

Stay strong.


Koala hugs from Australia.


Yasmin

 

[daviedog]

Stress Busters

Chocolate
New pair of shoes
Bottle of wine
New friend
& Time..

 

[Painter_]

I have been hit a few times by bad cravings during stressful times. I always carry a tank with a higher nic level. The one flavor I found that squashes the cravings for me is hazelnut. I think that it is because I smoked Marlboro Reds and they nutty flavor and the hazelnut also has a nutty flavor. I have been vaping 3 mg for the past month and the tank I of hazelnut that I have is 18 mg.

A somewhat funny story to go with this is, I had a old friend from out of town come visit me at my office and after meeting for about an hour He said that he wanted to go have a smoke so I joined him. He pulled out a pack of my old brand and I pulled out my mod. Once I caught a whiff of the cig my mouth started to water and I wanted one really bad. I went inside back to my office and grabbed the hazelnut and vaped my ... off until I did not want the cig any longer.

 

[Nightshard]

I sometimes think about it when i see a character smoking in a movie or tv, but then i remember why they are called stinkies and the thought goes away.