Thoughts of smoking can creep in and throw you off balance if you're not prepared for them. Perhaps one of the biggest reasons people break down and light up that first cigarette is due to junkie thinking. How do you defeat those tempting thoughts to have just one? Understanding how your mind tries to negotiate while withdrawing from nicotine addiction is an important first step. Most, if not all quitters experience those urges to give in and smoke, especially during the first few months. Addiction doesn't let go without throwing some mental chatter and bargaining our way. As one of our forum members, Gaylene said so well:
- 'A good way to think of them(thoughts of smoking) is---ElNico is dying. These urges are him struggling to get you to feed him. The longer he goes without being fed the dimmer his voice will get. He will starve to death. As he gets weaker, the strength he is losing is being transferred to you. You are gaining strength each time you are successful at not smoking. If you were to light up, ElNico would smile his evil smile and say, "I tricked her into feeding me, so now I'm gonna be in charge again!" Don't let this happen.'
Common Rationalizations*
Rationalization: I'm under a lot of stress, and smoking relaxes me.
Response: Your body is used to nicotine, so you naturally feel more relaxed when you give your body a substance upon which it has grown dependent. But nicotine really is a stimulant; it raises your heart rate, blood pressure, and adrenaline level. Most ex-smokers feel much less nervous just a few weeks after quitting.
Rationalization: Smoking makes me more effective in my work.
Response: Trouble concentrating can be a short-term symptom of quitting, but smoking actually deprives your brain of oxygen.
Rationalization: I've already cut down to a safe level.
Response: Cutting down is a good first step, but there's a big difference in the benefits to you between smoking a little and not smoking at all. Besides, smokers who cut back often inhale more often and more deeply to maintain their nicotine intake. Also, carbon monoxide intake often increases with a switch to low-tar cigarettes.
More: "It's Too Hard to Quit Smoking!"
