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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Craving For Cigarette After Giving It Up?

Hello Doc. I am 57, 66 Kgs,165 cms. I am completely off cigarettes for the last 72 days. After all these days of smoke free I had a terrible craving today afternoon but somehow managed to beat if off with some deep breathing and cold lemon juice. Why did I have the craving after such a long time ?
Mon, 11 Aug 2014
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Psychiatrist 's  Response
Hi,
First I want to congratulate you for successfully remaining abstinent from smoking for more than 2 months.

Sudden urges often arise when you memory of smoking gets activated by different clues like being in the place where you smoke, or seeing cigarettes..

Sometimes you get confused by body signals may make you remember smoking and increase the urge. You need to identify thirst, hunger, anger, loneliness or tiredness which are present when you feel urge. Act accordingly by
*drinking water or juice
*eating food
*Keeping calm by physical and breathing exercises
*spending time with family and friends (non smokers)
*taking rest and maintaining peaceful environment
*get involved in your favourite hobbies especially during peak hours when you used to smoke much.

craving is always is like a wave.. it will come, raise and fall... so surf over it.. just postpone your urge for sometime and get involved in other interesting activities. Wish you have a happier smoke free life.
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What Causes Craving For Cigarette After Giving It Up?

Hi, First I want to congratulate you for successfully remaining abstinent from smoking for more than 2 months. Sudden urges often arise when you memory of smoking gets activated by different clues like being in the place where you smoke, or seeing cigarettes.. Sometimes you get confused by body signals may make you remember smoking and increase the urge. You need to identify thirst, hunger, anger, loneliness or tiredness which are present when you feel urge. Act accordingly by *drinking water or juice *eating food *Keeping calm by physical and breathing exercises *spending time with family and friends (non smokers) *taking rest and maintaining peaceful environment *get involved in your favourite hobbies especially during peak hours when you used to smoke much. craving is always is like a wave.. it will come, raise and fall... so surf over it.. just postpone your urge for sometime and get involved in other interesting activities. Wish you have a happier smoke free life.