I decided to try to stop smoking on the first of the year.
I have nicoderm patches.
It is now 8 days and I have smoked 22 cigarettes.
I am now out of cigarettes and fighting the urge to go buy a new pack.
I read online about the quitting withdrawal symptoms.
I do not seem to be having the withdrawal symptoms as described and I'm wondering how effective my efforts will be to actually stop smoking.
Normally, in 8 days I would have smoked anywhere from 8 to 12 packs of cigarettes. My severe cravings happen in spurts with no definable trigger. There is no cycle timing to my cravings, they are sporadic.
There is no severity levels that are defined as to the strength of the cravings when I get them. Sometimes they are severe while other times they are less severe.
The nicoderm patches help but they seem to be weak help. When I do smoke a cigarette, I smoke while I am wearing a patch.
Of all the listed symptoms of quitting, I am having opposite results in most. While I can taste my food better, I still have no appetite. Instead of anxiety I feel mellow. I sleep better but I have energy.
Nicotine withdrawal. ... Symptoms include cravings for nicotine, anger/irritability, anxiety, depression, impatience, trouble sleeping, restlessness, hunger or weight gain, and difficulty concentrating.
One of the benefits I have felt is the ability to breathe easier.
That smoker's cough is gone. My sinuses are draining less frequently. I feel less itchy. It is like having relief from an allergy. I think I might be allergic to cigarette smoke?
I have an overwhelming urge to go buy another pack of cigarettes.
To the point that I know I will. I'm curious if;
After smoking so much for so long I should concentrate on easing down my habit?
A cold-turkey approach is pushing my limits?
I realized, as I was smoking those few cigarettes these last few days that I really don't like the act, yet I lit up, even tho I only lit up a few times. I did not enjoy smoking those cigarettes yet I continue to crave them?
I have been a robot smoker for years. I lit up without thinking about it. Now, I light up with high trepidation. I force myself to restrain myself from auto-smoking. I put my cigarettes where I had to work to get at them. I removed all ashtrays.
I'm open to suggestions.
I know I will buy another pack, probably sometime today.
I know I need to have cigarettes and NOT smoke them to effectively quit. I think if I can do that, I can beat this lifelong addiction.