Tips to quit smoking and manage cravings (Part 1)

Cravings associated to sugar levels

When you stop smoking, your body reacts very quickly to the lack of nicotine in your system. Over the course of three to five days, you are likely to experience a number of the following physical symptoms as the toxins are flushed from your body:

• Increased irritability, frustration, or anger

• Anxiety, tension or nervousness

• Restlessness

• Difficulty concentrating z

• Fatigue

• Headaches

• Trouble sleeping

• Increased appetite and weight gain

As you smoke, nicotine is absorbed into your bloodstream and within 3 minutes, chemical reactions cause your body to trigger the release of sugar.  After quitting, you may feel dizzy, restless, nervous or even have strong headaches. This is because you are lacking the immediate release of sugar that cigarettes provide – and why you may have a bigger appetite.

 So, for the first 3 or 4 days after you quit, make sure you keep your sugar levels a bit higher than usual by drinking plenty of juice. It will help prevent the craving symptoms triggered by a lack of sugar and help your body re-adjust back to normal.

How to manage cigarette cravings

Remnants of old habits such as smoking with your morning coffee, after meals or business meetings, and while you’re stuck in traffic can trigger cravings. There are ways to anticipate those moments and deal with the possible withdrawal symptoms.

Cravings associated with meals

For some smokers, having a cup of coffee after a meal goes hand-in-hand with lighting up, and the idea of giving that up may look like a hard prospect. People have been able to successfully replace that special moment, at least in the early stages, with something that works for them. It could be a piece of fruit, a dessert, or a piece of dark chocolate. Eventually, you will re-discover the real savor of a good meal or a nicely brewed cup of coffee and will find that cigarette smoke spoils its taste.

Social Smoking

When friends, family, and co-workers smoke around you, you are in risk of never being able to give up smoking. If you don’t address this directly it can increase your risk for relapse. Talking about your decision to quit is the first step, your social circles need to know that you are changing your habits. It may involve a change of habit on their part too, for example, they won’t be able to smoke when you’re in the car with them or in your presence. 

Know that in every social circle there are non-smokers, sometimes former smokers, and people that can be of some inspiration in finding new and better habits. In your workplace, don’t take all your coffee breaks with smokers only, do something else instead, and find other non-smokers to have your breaks with. Your decision to quit could be a good role model for your friends and give them the incentive to quit as well. 

Source: helpguide.org

Other links:

Addiction and Health

How Drugs Work

What is drug addiction treatment?

Importance and Length of Drug Addiction Treatment

How effective is drug addiction treatment?

Causes and Physical Signs of Drug Abuse and Addiction