Long term ex smoker cravings

Sphynx24

Iv been off cigarettes for a year now but still get intense cravings when I see someone smoking or smell smoke or if I'm stressed out. I haven't been using any nicotine products or any e cigarettes or anything as I think it's a slippery slope and could make it worse. How do long term ex smokers deal with cravings without nicotine?

stevek93

Same here, I am happy with my ecig though did you try getting one?

DANNY2014

like that during stressed periods I get intense cravings too I just keep thinking Of one will do no harm but I think back to all the ones that I used to have and those led to boxes. Everytime I gave up was harder and harder so I jus keep saying I don't smoke I don't need them... I try to consider that I'm still addicted to nicotine so it helps me to think this way when I crave. Cold turkey was my only way and I'm a year and a half now Off them the longest time since I started as a foolish 13 year old.. Best of luck hopefully you'll find your way of dealing with your cravings...

Caihanbut

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/97137264#Comment_97137264

are you still off them ????

claireeney

when i feel the urge i drink coffee and eat sweets and hence have gained a lot of weight in the 3 years since i gave up - yes still get the pang for one now and then. i think i can smell them now and i home on me own.

GoogleBot

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2057496960/long-term-ex-smoker-cravings

I have stopped smoking for over 20 years. I had memory related cravings for a couple years.

Every time when craving approaches me, I tried to think or recall some happy/positive memory instead. And eventually it goes away for good. 

To my surprise I found 2019 research below that confirm I was doing right thing.

"extensive research in humans, indicating that the act of remembering can cause forgetting. For example, we have found that when people retrieve a past event, other memories that compete with and hinder retrieval are more likely to be forgotten. "

In other words, at the very moment negative memory approaching you try to recall happy and positive memory from the past instead.

More info link below

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-018-07128-7?utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=commission_junction&utm_campaign=CONR_PF018_ECOM_GL_PHSS_ALWYS_DEEPLINK&utm_content=textlink&utm_term=PID100097331&CJEVENT=7f075f35083511ed814e007a0a18050f