Withdrawal symptoms of not smoking

[filthiestfis]

My father recently passed away from cancer and I have given up smoking since then (2 and a half weeks) since there is no better opportunity than now. However, I am still feeling the cravings; the withdrawal symptoms.
I would like to know from ex smokers how long these symptoms continue for. Weeks? Months?

[barry1010]

It does get easier, but the 12 week stage seems to be hard for everyone. It is a major turning point.
If you are having difficulties, consider using patches or other aids.

[filthiestfis]

you mean that during the first 3 months its hardest?

[ummmm]

filthiestfis .... get the book 'Allen Carr's...Easy way to stop smoking'

It works...if you really want it to.

Even if you relapse he has a page....

Try it...it cost the same as a packet of fags...

Good luck xxx

My Dad died of liver cancer last year. My heart is with youxxx

[filthiestfis]

ummmm: my dad died of metastatic colon cancer which was present in his liver for some time.

[barry1010]

The first three months is the hardest, but for some reason people tend to relax after that barrier, believe they have beaten it, and think it's okay to have one cigarette.
It happens time and time again. Of course, it never is one, it is 20 or more.
Just be aware of that. It does get easier, and you will do it.

[LazyGun]

sorry to hear about your father filthie... It must be a hard time for you . You are doing the right thing giving up though.
Until March last year i was a pack and a half a day man... but I decided to give up because of the financial cost, the bother about having to go outside for a cigarette when socialising, and to be frank, the final recognition that I was an addict, which irritates the hell out of me.

For me, the first 5 days or so was the hardest... thats how long it seemed to take to break the actual chemical addiction. I elected to go cold turkey, because I dont really rate the idea of tailing off using patches or whatever.. but I know that they do work for a lot of people.
It took a further 6-8 months to be free of the urge to smoke, to find something to do with my hands when watching TV etc, but the craving was gone.
I found it very helpful to drink water or eat when i got the cravings, but the side effect of this was putting on a fair bit of weight which I am trying to lose now.
If I did it again, I would get lots of apples and oranges and have one each time i felt the urge to smoke. Now, i find the thought of smoking abhorrent, and the smell of smoking on those who have been out for a ciggie break is actually unpleasant.
Anyway good luck in your efforts... just bear in mind the goal at the end.. addiction free, healthier and much better off financially :)

[filthiestfis]

Thank you all so far...
The cost doesnt bother me as I never buy mine from here but rather very cheap ones.

It's really because I know that if my father's death doesn't motivate me to quit completely then NOTHING will. I don't want to become another cancer statistic and considering I have smoked for 10 years,the chances of that happening for me are high. There is always an excuse to light up again, as many smokers are aware of.
I feel like I would be dissapointing my dad and disregarding his suffering if I went back to it.
Im finding the cravings to be "there" all the time and they haven't decreased over time. I've got such a strong urge to smoke right now but there's no way I'm going to.

[filthiestfis]

I wonder...if I never smoke again...is the damage done to my body these last 10 years as a smoker irreversible?
Will the likelihood of me getting cancer stay the same or decrease with time, now that I have quit?

[LazyGun]

Filthie, most of the different types of damage done by smoking is reversible over time.

[cazzz1975]

you have to learn to ignore the cravings, I was still getting cravings after a year, though not as much as when I first quit, its been 13 years since I quit, I dont get any cravings now, if you have an occasional ciggie you are just strengthening your cravings instead of killing them

keep up what you are doing, stay determined, there is a light at the end of the tunnel !

[Wak]

I stopped smoking in the 1960s and found that Trebor Extra Strong Mints were a great help to reduce the craving.
Sorry about your Dad. I can imagine how you feel.

[Wak]

For anyone who still smokes and would like to stop, try this:-
I found that it is the first long draw on a cigarette that satisfies the craving, the rest of the cigarette just feeds the addiction and keeps putting the nicotine into your system.
On the first day, try to go one hour before you have a smoke and then ONLY HAVE ONE LONG DRAW and put the cigarette out. (Don't over do it and try to go too long or you will get too desperate)
Now, NEVER go less than the one hour (or however long you waited) before having another smoke and then only have the one draw and put the cigarette out.
Over the next few days gradually increase the time between smokes but NEVER reduce it and always just have the one draw and then put it OUT.
A Trebor Extra Strong Mint can help to increase the time between smokes if you get desperate and two cigarettes will probably last for the full week.
After about a week or 10 days you should possibly be able to go a full day without a smoke.
The next draw you have on a cigarette will probably make you feel either sickly or dizzy. GOOD!!
You are nearly there. If you can manage the full day without a smoke NEVER go less than another full day before you have the next ONE LONG DRAW and put the fag out.
When you can go three or four days without a cigarette you can start to consider yourself a non-smoker.
The slight craving will still be there for a few weeks but it will not be nearly as bad as it is when you just suddenly stop smoking completely.
I gradually weaned myself off cigarettes using the above method in the 1960s and have not had one since (or ever wanted one).
It worked for me and I sincerely hope it will work for you.

[ummmm]

I will still sincerely urge you to get the book.

It undoes the thought process for why we smoke.

For example, a reason for why some people say they smoke is 'because I'm bored'

Boredom is a state of mind....there is nothing interesting about a cigarette.

[theonlyone]

only you can give up smoking ...
but you have to want to and get
it in to your head ..I gave up ..
with the help of sugar free polo mints ..
good luck ...you can do it ..yes you can !!!

[terambulan]

suck strong sweets like Fishermans friends or chew liquorice sticks.......inhale on a straw. The addiction remains for years and only your determination will stop you smoking. Put the money saved into a bottle so you can see it increasing - dont forget to withdraw sweet monies.

[Panic Button]

I wish I smoked, because I could give up and save a fortune.

[filthiestfis]

I didnt think about the extra strong mints. Worth trying out.
Wak's method sounds really interesting and if I manage to break my self control and have one cigarette I will definitly try his method :-)
I've still got the urge now. Worst thing is my girlfriend smokes all the time!

[coccinelle]

It's very hard giving up when others smoke around you as you're still breathing in the nicotine so your body still gets a bit of its addiction. Tell those who do smoke to smoke outside or you leave the room.
When I stopped, during the first couple of days I felt I was dying as I felt so awful and no way would I ever live those two days again. After about a month I realised the cravings had gone, in fact I couldn't stand the smell of smoke around me. I went cold turkey and in that first month I brushed my teeth whenever I felt the urge so did put on some weight (7kg) but not as much as if I'd filled up on food.
Being a non-smoker is a huge weight off your shoulders and you begin to smell and appreciate things you couldn't before. Keep it up, you're only a few days away from being FREE.
Yes, after 10 years your chances of getting cancer is nearly that of somebody who's never smoked.

[filthiestfis]

Thank you for your message of support cochinelle. Cochinelle, why that name? Reminds me of a food additive