Question for Former Smokers

[Fitswimmer]

I've been off cigarettes for eight and a half years. I quit cold turkey and I've never gone back. However, every once in a while I get such strong cravings! For the last 3 days, I have wanted a cigarette so badly that it's taken an amazing amount of strength not to buy a pack. The only thing that stopped me was the price! They're $6.15 here!! YIKES.

How long does it really take for this to stop???

 

[Christine]

Not a former smoker but my dad was. He smoked up until he was about 30 and then quit because my mom wouldn't marry a smoker!!

Anyway, he is now 68 years old and says that there are times, still, that he wishes for a smoke. In certain circumstances, the urge is always there.

 

[LakeAriel]

I quit in 1996 while my Mom lay dying of lung to brain cancer. The chemicals are out of your system in days but you are left with psychological urges. After, I would say about 3 years, I never had an urge again. Stress, of course, will drive a person to grab whatever crutch or outlet seems attainable. I have gained a lot of weight since I quit, I guess I have grabbed too many Hershey bars, but it is preferable to the cigarette!. Good luck!

 

[ckay87]

I'm only at 4 years, so you know more than me. I just can relate.

It's maybe because we remember a feeling....whatever it was....that we want to have again. In reality, a puff would make us vomit. We just have a recollection of craving something and then having that craving satisfied. And that felt good. We want that feeling, we don't want to smoke, necessarily (?)

I don't even know how to put something like this into words. I don't think it ever goes away completely. It's the nature of all addictions, isn't it? We can train our minds to live without it, but it's always there. As a possibility. IMO, we'll always have to struggle with it.

Life is so great without it. There is more time, energy. I exercise like crazy and love that. I know I won't ever go back, but it's annoying that the thought is still there.

 

[rabx5]

Oh lawd- it's gonna be a long bumpy road for me- I just chew gum like crazy-

 

[MzDiz]

I'm almost at the five year mark, but I still get the cravings too. My dad quit in 1987 and he says there are days when he wants a smoke. It's crazy, there are times where I will almost reach for my pack of cigarettes before I remember that I don't smoke anymore. It's a strong addiction, that's for sure.

 

[Fitswimmer]

I swear, if they tell me that the bomb is coming I'm going right to 7-11, picking up a carton and I'm smoking as many as possible until the thing detonates.

 

[drag n' fly]

I quit almost 6 years ago. Sometimes if I smell someone smoking my brand I get a craving. Sometimes I dream about smoking. My Dad has not smoked in 35 years and still gets the craving. Just follow the three rule when quitting.

1. If the first three seconds pass
2. Let three minutes pass
3. If you make it pass three hours
and every three hours until the end of the day (I found this one the toughest. It took me a week to get past this one)
4. try three days
5. three months
6. three years

They say if you can make it past the three year mark you most likely will never smoke again. If you fall off the wagon get right back on. Look at the small picture not the big one. Each step is a goal. It is so worth it! I used the patch for three weeks and never looked back!

 

[horseshowmom]

My husband didn't smoke, but he chewed tobacco. He quit before we got married, because I didn't find the habit at all attractive.

We've been married almost 23 years, and he still has the urge from time to time. He said the certain situations can bring it on too (like hunting). He said he never would have thought that it would still have an effect on him this far down the road.

 

[It's A Happy Day]

A former smoke here too - 7 years in May It seems to depend on my level of stress or certain activities that bring on the urge. It doesn't seem to happen too often but when I am out with the girls having a couple drinks, something is missing Nothing like a cold beer & a cigarette Or when DH & I have a whopper of a fight, I would so Love a cigarette but that won't solve the problem. With the cost of a pack these days I will be darned to buy them again & I don't want my kids to see me smoking so I let the moment pass and I don't think about it too much.

 

[ckay87]

Kinda OT, but I had this impromptu, but candid talk about smoking with my teenage DS. I'm all patting myself on the back for being mom-of-the-year for having this open, honest talk. I said something like "I know I'll never go back to it because I never want to go through quitting again."

And he's like "What about because it's bad for you?"

oh yea, that's right. Go talk to your dad, I'm a mess. Lawd.

 

[GoofyBaseballMom26]

It's been about 10 years for me and I think I'm past the craving stage. It's been a long time since I've thought about it.

Good for you for quitting...... don't give in to the urge!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[JunieJay]

Just a little under 4 years for me. Every so often I think I'd like to have a cigarette, or just one drag, but then I get to thinking I'd really NOT like having lung cancer and I get over smoking real quick. My Dad died of lung cancer at 52, so its good incentive to stay quit.

 

[MushyMushy]

I quit in 99 and the cravings are still there, especially when I do something that reminds me of smoking -- driving down the highway, drinking alcohol, sitting on my back porch.

Every once in a while, I'll go out and buy myself a really expensive pack of flavored cigarettes and just have at it. Yes, I'm bad, but it satisfies me. I'm VERRRRRY careful not to turn it into a regular thing. I probably buy 2 packs a year.

Hey, whatever works, right?

 

[Nala2007]

I quit in 03, not quite cold turkey, but I would have a smoke if I had a drink...the urge is pretty much gone now though. The last one I had was last June in Vegas...but I can't even walk past the smoking area at my work it smells so bad to me. Just hang in there!!

 

[froglady]

30 years smokefree, and I had a brief craving yesterday. I also will sometimes dream that I'm smoking.

 

[BalooTheBear]

I've been off cigarettes for eight and a half years. I quit cold turkey and I've never gone back. However, every once in a while I get such strong cravings! For the last 3 days, I have wanted a cigarette so badly that it's taken an amazing amount of strength not to buy a pack. The only thing that stopped me was the price! They're $6.15 here!! YIKES.

How long does it really take for this to stop???

Well.... I smoked 1-2 packs a day for over 16yrs. I haven't had a cigarette in more than 20yrs, but I still get cravings.........

I also quit cold turkey. What's really bad is - that sometimes I'll have dreams about really wanting a cig. and I'll break down and have one (In my dreams..).

Now that's weird.........

So, to answer your question - I don't know how long it takes, still waiting to find out...

 

[Disneyaunt4]

I swear, if they tell me that the bomb is coming I'm going right to 7-11, picking up a carton and I'm smoking as many as possible until the thing detonates.

I'm at the 3 year mark and truthfully I have not had the urge for one yet. But I do know don't have one or it will be all over. Instead save that money and go to Disney World

 

[Kitty 34]

I quit in '96 and have never had a craving. I quit via acupuncture which definetly stopped all cravings even when I first quit.

 

[MinnyGranny62]

It has been around 20 years since I quit.(smoked for 26 yrs)and I have never picked up one since. Never crave for a smoke but this took many years and will power. Good luck and just think how much healthier you will be.