Dealing With Cravings

[nailit]

Are there any scientifically proven ways to deal with cravings? Do we even know what cravings are?
I havnt had a cigarette for over 7 months and yet all day today (and now) ive got the 'urge' to go and buy a packet of ciggs. Ive had cravings in the past few months but its never lasted all day. Coincidentally I could eat my way through a chocolate factory as well.
Just counting down the minutes 'till bedtime and hope tomorrow's different. (more accuratley counting down the minutes until the corner shop shuts and I cant buy 20 cigs and a family size bar of chocolate)

Really want to know if there has been any studies/papers published regarding cravings.
Thanks.

[DaisyNonna]

Every so often a craving will bite you in the bum.
Sit on it!

[nailit]

I'm sitting on it Daisy but its starting to get uncomfortable.

[DaisyNonna]

Wriggle a bit, stand up and then squash them.
Best of luck nailit.
One who has given up smoking years ago but occasionally is more than tempted.

[Elina]

Hi nailit, I'm not sure if there are any scientifically proven ways of dealing with craving, but I would have though distraction would be an important part of taking away a craving. This link is very interesting as to what makes us crave which is partly it seems a biological mechanism & part cue/assosiation .. which makes a lot of sense .. https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/addicted-brains/201202/the-science-craving

[Elina]

Association

[Elina]

So seeing someone smoke on t.v / having a mate call who smokes .. he might not smoke in your house .. but you can smell it on him .. both cue/ associations.

[ummmm]

Read Alan Carr's book...How to give up smoking.

My mum gave up when she was 26 and still has the odd craving.

She's 62 now!

[DaisyNonna]

Associations do not bother me Elina.
Can watch others smoking, smell the smoke.
Write about it here.
No problem.
Get very, very annoyed. Think about a cigarette.

[Elina]

I don't have cigarette or alcohol cravings .. I do like my sweet fix though. I've found if I don't have something healthy to snack on in work .. I'll go in the nearest shop & buy something rubbish to eat on the bus journey home. I get irritable when I'm hungry.

[Elina]

Sorry, I don't smoke .. so I wouldn't anyway lol!

[DaisyNonna]

Don't get irritable thinking about cigarettes, if I am hungry I eat something.
Not sweet.

[Elina]

I think tiredness is my problem daisy .. I go for sweet for that reason ... not good I know. I used to have porridge in work on my break, haven't taken it in of late & everything fell apart buying rubbish quick fixes.

[Bathsheba]

@Lina I'm a great believer in the power of porridge....a large bowlful mid-morning usually takes me through to early evening, no problem ;)

x x

[Elina]

I know Bath, I'm getting back on it, can't fault it .. it took me through till I got home for dinner.

[nailit]

Thanks for replies. Thanks for the link Elina, very interesting.

[jourdain2]

Don't know about studies, but it took ages for me to stop getting cravings for ciggies. I stopped in 1979 and I know that 10 years later I was still having the odd attack. 7 months is good going, well-done. Be of good cheer, I don't get any cravings at all now and I'm so glad I stopped. My sweetie consumption also went up for a while.

Honestly, diversionary tactics are in order, go for a walk, do anything to take your mind off the horrible things. :)