r/stopsmoking • u/thisissoannoying2306 • 6d ago

Anxious day and the cravings are becoming unbearable.

Today has been the worst day since stopping 7 weeks ago.

I had some anxiety-inducing paperwork to do. Stuff I have been procrastinating for month now and which makes me worry a lot.

And I’m feeling an almost unbearable craving to use my usual “anti-anxiety drug”, that helped me through every crisis in the last decades. Just like a huge hole in my breast that can only be filled with smoke and nicotine. I’ve tried to get distracted, to drink water, to eat, whatever. Nothing helps. It’s been going on non stop for hours now, it’s a very physical sensation.

I’ve been doing so well up to now, it was pretty easy to stop, as I was in a relaxed environment, far from home and with only non smokers. Now I’m back home and back to reality, and my mind keeps telling me to smoke again and search an excuse to go for it. It’s crazy, I’m supposed to be over nicotine by now…

I haven’t given in yet, will try to get an anti-anxiolytic to sleep and hope for the best that it’ll be gone by tomorrow. But these cravings are not just a passing thing for me, I’m literally obsessed with smoking right now and I can feel the need literally physically. Why does everyone always say it just takes a distraction and it’s just in your mind. It certainly doesn’t feel this way right now :-)

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u/MyNameIsSkittles 3940 days 6d ago

Do something for your dopamine, thats what your brain wants. Going for a walk is an easy way to help with that

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u/thisissoannoying2306 6d ago

Good idea. But it’s late and dark now where I am. But will do that first thing in the morning, maybe going for a quick run or something.

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u/Outrageous-North953 34 days 6d ago

Morning sun is supposed to be especially good for dopamine, I read. Also, did you do the paperwork? How did it go? Completing tasks is another way to rewire your reward system. I've been facing all kinds of tasks I was dreading, just chasing non-nicotine highs. Hope it worked out for you. Sending strength. You so got this. It will get easier.