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Freedom from Nicotine - The Journey Home

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Chapter 13: Homecoming

Topics:  Silent celebration | Diminishing thoughts | What should I call myself?


Gradually Diminishing Thoughts & Urges

Most ex-users report that recovery was less challenging than expected. Some report cakewalks. But it certainly wasn't for me.

There were a couple of moments where I felt totally overwhelmed. Thank goodness such moments were few and brief.

Woman standing in a field of sunflowers while rasing her hand.

The beauty of recovery is that, once beyond peak withdrawal, with each passing day the frequency, duration, and intensity of challenge is "generally" on the decline.

But like trying to watch a rosebud open, seeing the decline while living it can at times seem nearly impossible. Before we know it, the storms turn to breezes, with a possible gust now and then.

It's entirely normal during the first couple of years to experience occasional thoughts of wanting, or even encounter a remote, seasonal or infrequent use cue. It's also possible to retain a romantic attachment to using, a link capable of fostering desire until ready to let go of it.

One of the most popular discussions at WhyQuit's peer support group Freedom was entitled, "Tell a newbie how many seconds a day you still want a cigarette." Below are messages that were posted to the thread. Each opens by indicating how long the person had been nicotine-free. They then tell us how long each day they still want a cigarette.

Keep in mind as you read them that, for the most part, these are educated ex-users. It's likely that part of their reason for posting to this particular discussion was excitement over how much easier an educated recovery can be.

A former 3 pack-a-day smoker, except for a smoking dream/nightmare every 4 or 5 years, it's been two decades since I've experienced anything that could be considered a crave.

Maybe someday an urge or crave will occur again. Maybe tomorrow. But if so, I'm certain that I'll wear a smile during the entire brief encounter, as it will be a long-overdue reminder of the amazing journey I once made.




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Page created Aug. 1, 2020 and last updated September 21, 2020 by John R. Polito