For most people who use tobacco, tobacco cravings or smoking urges can be strong. But you can stand up against these cravings.
When you feel an urge to use tobacco, keep in mind that even though the urge may be strong, it will likely pass within 5 to 10 minutes whether or not you smoke a cigarette or take a dip of chewing tobacco. Each time you resist a tobacco craving, you’re one step closer to stopping tobacco use for good.
Find Your Reason
To get motivated, you need a powerful, personal reason to quit. It may be to protect your family from secondhand smoke. Or lower your chance of getting lung cancer, heart disease, or other conditions. Or to look and feel younger. Choose a reason that is strong enough to outweigh the urge to light up.
Consider Nicotine Replacement Therapy
When you stop smoking, nicotine withdrawal may give you headaches, affect your mood, or sap your energy. The craving for “just one drag” is tough. Nicotine replacement therapy can curb these urges. Studies show that nicotine gum, lozenges, and patches improve your chances of success when you’re also in a quit-smoking program.
Quitting smoking ‘cold turkey’
Quitting smoking suddenly, by yourself, without any support or outside help is known as going ‘cold turkey.’ This method requires a lot of willpower and mental strength to manage cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
Although this is a common method, it is less effective than using nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) or other quitting medication.
