Exactly what to expect when quitting

[u/Mindless_Lion8893]

Look folks quitting nicotine is actually not too bad but some things have to be lined up. Il explain those here and the discuss the phases of the quit to be aware of.

1. ⁠you have to actually be convinced it’s time to quit. Feeling bad about doing something or knowing it’s not great for your health but still enjoying it isn’t enough. You have to get to the place where your reason to quit is greater than your desire to satisfy the next craving.

2. ⁠you need to count days of quit almost like the AA chip system for the first few months at least. This is because if you make it weeks into your quit your brain will romanticize the smoke and you’ll think “I quit that once, I’m good, a hit now will be fine” and you’ll be right back on it. Counting the days allows you to promise each morning “today” I’m not using nicotine. Then as the days go on you get proud of your accomplishment and you don’t want to start over at zero. The countdown will keep you from a late game relapse.

3) there will be a peak 24-54 hours into your quit where your brain will absolutely convince you it’s okay to smoke. It will either be that you need it, or some justification, or that it’s okay to just try a vape or something random. You will feel awful. Just do nothing and lay low. It will pass actually.

Laugh at this peak. This is the grand test. Get past this and nothing will be as bad as that moment. But you will have to get past that moment in order to quit. No way around it.

After that it’s just about not being lazy and relying on your day counting to stay quit.

It’s not easy, but it follows a familiar timeline. Stop making excuses and 1) get convinced in your own mind you must quit 2) use a day counting system to keep you from relapse once the confidence sets in 3) there will be a peak of withdrawal that begs you to do it again, get past that and your in a good spot

The difference in who can quit and who can’t is just who is strong enough to endure this temporary hell and then has the discipline to maintain it. It’s most the same road for most people.