Giving up smoking - does anyone know how long it takes to actually break the physical addiction?

Question

I'm talking about the body craving nicotine. I heard it was 2 weeks, and after that it's a habit and association problem. I gave up for 6 months once but was lured back because all the interesting people were found hanging out round the back having a puff. Non-smokers are so boring. The only reason I'm contemplating it now is because as a smoker I really suffer when I'm out socially and not allowed to smoke. Going outside in the cold is not the same at all, and I just feel like going home. With the ban looming I'll having to either stay at home or give up and I'm not the kind of smoker who can just have one occasionally. For me it's part and parcel of relaxing with a drink. I don't know if other smokers feel this way, but as a reason for giving up I've never heard it mentioned in any of stop smoking campaigns. I'd like to know what kind of agony I'm in for - nicotine replacement is not the answer for me, I've got to kick the nicotine habit cold turkey.

Answer 1

It takes 1-2 weeks but the real problem is the psychological aspect, the habit.

Answer 2

I gave up drinking at the same time as giving up smoking, and its worked best for me.

I've never tried the 'cold turkey' method, I started on the patches and then forgot to chance it. I figured after wearing the same patch for about a week that it was out of my system and didn't bother with another one.

The withdrawl seems to be very different for different people, I never got 'cravings' even when forced to not smoke for 12 hours or so - whereas some people I know get excruitating withdrawl symptoms. These tend to be the people who cannot go longer than an hour without smoking.

I'm so glad that I wasn't a smoker this winter - nothing beats being inside all warm and cosy and seeing someone outside in the wind and rain just for a smoke!

Sounds to me like you want this, so maybe you should just go for it - the symptoms won't last very long, and hopefully you'll feel much better for it.

Good luck :)

Answer 3

It took me six attempts to quit my 20 a day habit.

Each time I used nicotene replacement except the last time.

I went cold turkey after cutting down gradually. Takes time, but only had 2 proper cravings since I quit and that was 7 months ago.

I had cut down to 5 per day before I kicked it and over a period of 3 months. Takes time, but it works.

The nicotene withdrawal is not what you should be concerned with, it is breaking the psychological habit that is tough, but stick at it and if you really want to do it, you will.

It really is mind over matter, I am living proof of that!

Good luck x

Answer 4

Try speaking to your doctor, or 'phone the smoking helpline on tv and newspapers. I went to' Freshstart' recommended by my doctor, all is explained about nicotine, chemicals and addiction, patches, etc are available at prescription charge prices and meetings are held locally to you where you can talk to others trying to stop smoking, they are not patronising, they are very helpful, but you must be serious about wanting to stop, because will power is involved.I smoked for 38 years, and stopped 22 months ago, with help from 'Fresh Start' There are also other nicotine replacements besides patches , which would be explained to you at the meetings.

Answer 5

preparing yourself is the key to getting past the physical addiction, the social problems that you perceive and the long term quit.

nicotine, even though it has completely gone from your body, has changed your brain chemistry in such a way, that even a sniff from someone else's burning cigarette will trigger the addiction response.

knowing that you will always have the urge if you are exposed, will help prepare you against it.

Remove everything in your life associated with cigarettes first. ash trays, lighters, empty packs, all reminders in your daily space that say "have a cigarette". (but don't throw out your cigs or smoke your last one yet, you have to adjust to the new environment first)

Write down exactly WHEN, WHERE and WHY you will smoke. Make it as long or as short as you think you can handle. The shorter your list the harder it will be, so be generous at this stage.

Make the Title of your list: Rules for Smoking and at the very top, Rule number one is: I will follow these rules of smoking. If I break a rule, then......(you must create a consequence for yourself and it's good to have someone quit with you if you can, but if not, at least tell someone you are in the process of a quit and tell them the rules you made for yourself so they can remind you if you conveniently forget)

After a few weeks of following your own rules of where, when and why it's okay to smoke, start eliminating the rules, one by one as your comfort level increases. Just put a simple line through it, but you should still be able to read it. Continue living by these rules until your comfort level is such where you can eliminate another. At this point, rewrite your list with the second item you crossed off at the top with a line through it, under Rule Number One. You have successfully eliminated an item from your list! Do not write down the first item you crossed off. It should no longer occur to you to smoke at that time/place or reason, whichever it was for you. Continue this process until all have been eliminated from your consciousness. At this point, you have one last rule to write for yourself: I am a nonsmoker. Nonsmokers do not smoke for any reason, anywhere, at anytime. If I smoke a cigarette, I have not failed, but only retreated back into my plan. (if you cheat, pretend it didn't happen. You can really do that, you know. If you sneak a smoke for some reason, the very next day you are a non-smoker again. Just remember your RULES for Smoking that cheating cigarette and remember that you are in control of the rules)

You will see that as you eliminate the times, places and reasons for smoking, you are eliminating your smoking, too.

In addition to these rules that you made, you will count the number of cigarettes you smoke from the time of your first cigarette to the time of your last cigarette. A few days should give you an idea of how much money you have been wasting on killing yourself and acknowledge that the cigarettes are indeeed taking years from your life.

After you know that cigarettes/nicotine is killing you, write down the things you could have done with 5-10 years of life.

A small notebook that you can carry with you at all times is good for all these rules and ideas. Look at them every single day and think about them every single day.

Make rules for yourself that will sabotage your addiction in ways that are subtle. Addiction is like a beast, always ready to attack you!
You have to be smarter than your addiction.

Wish I were able to be more clear, but if you search the internet for Nicotine Addiction, you will find a ton of resources to sift through and everything you read will help you on your way to sustaining a permanent quit.
Adhere to your rules.

Answer 6

For me I always found who I went out with. If went out with friends who did I would & knock back about 10. I heard it and pretty sure it was 2wks like yourself. Also heard 3wks to break a habit. Therefore go 4 a mth you r def going right way. That's because the Govt r prats how successful have they ever been on any campagin. Come on it don't take £mill to know what to do. You even know.

Answer 7

it takes 3 weeks to start a habit and 3 months to break each year you have had the habit so if you have smoked for 5 years you should be over your addiction in 15 months

Answer 8

I have given it up 13 months ago the craving did get less as time went on but i can honestly say it was nearly a year before the craving really stopped but its been worth it

Answer 9

Instantly

Answer 10

Your body will be uncomfortable for about a week...probably sweating...but after that you should be able to control it...
BUT YOU HAVE TO BEAT YOUR MIND FIRST!!
GOOD LUCK!!