Experiencing Extreme Withdrawal From Quitting Smoking Cold Turkey
Quitting smoking and continuing to stay off the nicotine is an extremely tough battle. This is something that many smokers know all to well when they are attempting to end their addiction. A smoker who is quitting cigarettes is always going to experience withdrawal and cravings to some degree no matter what type of method they are using. The thing is, when you are going the cold turkey route you are going to experience withdrawal symptoms at a more extreme level. Quitting cold turkey intensifies withdrawal and cravings to a point that can be unbearable for many smokers trying to get through it all.
So, what is one to do when experiencing extreme withdrawal from quitting smoking cigarettes cold turkey? How can one prepare for these extreme levels of withdrawal? The best thing that you can do in order to prepare yourself for extreme withdrawal symptoms is to be aware of what it is to come. Sounds corny, I know, but it is something that you really need to do. Being conscious of the conflict you will be facing ahead is a whole lot better than going the route of naiveness and getting blindsided. You see, when you know what problems are ahead of you then you can properly prepare for them, and when you do experience extreme withdrawal and cravings it won’t be as much of a “slap if the face”.
Now, as far as actual actions to take in order to combat the effects of extreme withdrawal there are a few key things that you can do. Your main goal when it comes to combating withdrawal is to just get through and not succumb to the drug, nicotine. If you are able to get past intense feelings of cravings and withdrawal then you have one the battle. However, in order to really win you need to be able to do this on a regular basis. So, in order to get through intense cravings and withdrawal associated with quitting cold turkey, you should be planning out how you will deal with specific instances of both. Do you get extreme cravings when you are stressed out? Is it normal for you to reach for a cigarette after eating a nice meal (or any meal for that matter)? Is it uncomfortable for you when you are in a social situation with smokers and aren’t smoking yourself? These are the types of things that you need to think about when you are properly planning out how you will battle extreme cravings and withdrawal. You need to identify certain situations that set you off and then you need to figure out how you will get by during that period of intense withdrawal.
Remember, your own will power is your strongest asset when it comes to not giving into cravings. So, it is always a good idea to practice telling yourself things like, “This craving will go away in a few minutes” or “I don’t need to smoke. I am completely fine without a cigarette”, whenever you are triggered. It is basic affirmations like these that can really help in the long run if you actually stick to them and make it clear to yourself that they are indeed true, even if you don’t believe them at first. With that said, we all know of the extreme power of nicotine and how it can bring pretty much anyone to their knees. It’s because of this that you need to try and find something more physical that you can do in addition to using mental techniques, whenever you experience extreme withdrawal. Most people feel on edge when they are jonesing for a cigarette and a simple way to cope with this type of feeling is to chew on some gum. It keeps the mouth occupied and it’s an almost soothing repetitive motion. Another idea would be to try and talk to someone whenever you are feeling extreme withdrawal. The thing is, it really doesn’t matter what you do as long as it’s something that works for you. So, work on finding out different things you can do to combat more extreme withdrawal and cravings and then implement them regularly in order to make it a routine.
