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The CDC claims that nicotine is a "very addictive drug" that can be "as addictive as heroin or cocaine." Nicotine is typically eliminated from the body within 2 to 3 days, however, physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms may last for much longer depending on the individual. If you are trying to kick the habit, this community is dedicated to giving smokers the...
Two - Mind over matter. If you want to try a trick I've been using, read on, but if you're feeling a bit quaky, I'd recommend you wait until you're on more solid ground.
Still reading? Good.
Pick a time when you're relaxed - when there are no cravings and you're your normal self - and imagine your next craving. What clothes you're wearing, where this is happening, what time it is, what the weather is like, what smells are in the air - the more details the better. Got it? Good.
Now imagine your craving taking form and shape and walking towards you. And it's ugly. I mean "cover the children's eyes before they start crying" ugly. Picture it raising an arm and sending those chills down your spine. Imagine it twisting that knob in the back of your mind that makes you go from "normal" to "nicotene SOB." Maybe now, it's flipping that switch that makes you want nothing more than a long drag. Once again, the more details, the better.
Now that you can see this little goblin/troll/whatever, imagine staring him down. And I think you know how that little bastard's going to act: screaming, breaking things, puffing out his chest - basically anything to get you to bend to his will. Picture yourself - and this is CRUCIAL - completely relaxed, taking deep breaths in through your nose, slowly folding your arms across your chest. Yes, the little bastard is going to carry on, but imagine yourself patiently waiting him out. Much like a child throwing a temper tantrum, you've got to imagine him getting tired and wearing himself out - and you've got to picture yourself still relaxed and breathing slowly. Because, after all, you haven't let this THING, this irrational little monster affect you.
Listen, I'd love to tell you there won't be any cravings, but that's unrealistic. They're coming, and you can't control when they're going to come. So you have to believe that when they do come, you're relaxed and under control. I know sometimes it might not seem that way, but really - now that you've pictured your cravings manifested - do you want THAT in control?
Hang in there.