PixelPirate said:
I have my mind set, that my new years goal is to stop smoking cigarettes. Beginning December 30th 12am I will go cold turkey and will begin kicking my nicotine addiction. The main reason Im making is this thread is to ask for suggestions on how to get past cravings if you have quit yourself or know someone that has. Im not going to be taking any nicotine alternatives ( Gum, patch nor pills ). Just all natural recovery.
So, any tips?
Good luck! I've never smoked cigarettes, so I can't offer any first-hand advice. From what I understand about addiction though, the first thing to do during a withdrawal and detoxification process is to do everything you can to stay away from even a cigarette-related environment. Unfortunately, that requires a lot of isolation. The first few days are going to be tough, because chemical withdrawal will make you sick - to what degree, depends on your dose. The important thing to remember is the goal, that it is a positive and constructive one, and that you want it. In fact, writing it in big bold letters, on a piece of paper, I WANT TO QUIT SMOKING FOREVER! multiple times on separate pieces of paper and taping it to doors, your refrigerator, computer monitor, and such will remind you when you're tempted to run out and 'just have one'...because there's no such thing as just one.
Replacing the addictive activity with some other activity, a positive choice, can be a way to resist the temptation. If you flood your mind, so to speak, with a pre-occupation on another activity, your brain will be largely distracted from the temptation and signaling for more nicotine. Exercise has been cited as a common example of an activity ex-addicts (nicotine, and other substances) use to fight off dependency signaling. Putting yourself in situations where you CAN'T SMOKE is also a strategy. Spend time in public places where No Smoking is allowed, thus you don't even have a choice. Finding people that don't smoke to associate with is also an important part of recovery (with all types of addictions). No, I'm not necessarily saying you should go to an AA like environment (unless you feel you want to and need to), but finding people that choose not to smoke and spending time with them can also make it easier not to smoke, too.
It's important to note that the experience will definitely not always be pleasant. Your brain will be unhappy to not be fed the chemicals it was used to before, and it's going to come out 'screaming' for those chemicals until it loses a dependence on them. As long as you do what you can to 'smoke-proof' yourself and your home, the hard moments will pass and soon enough you'll be nicotine-free.
