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1. selina marie

   

   1 posts
   Registered:
   24 Feb 2018
   06 May 2018

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   Each time I try to quit, I'm confident I can the night before my quit date, the morning I wake up on my quit date I can't for the life of me beat my morning craving. There's nothing I can do I start ripping my nails apart and getting panicky.  Any ideas on how to get past the morning cravings ? 
2. aurora

   

   94 posts
   Registered:
   08 Mar 2018
   06 May 2018

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   Hello Selina Marie
   
   I can relate.  for one year, I set a quit date and then panicked the night before and just couldn't jump off that ledge.
   
   I quit by buying Nicorette and having it on hand, and then a snowstorm hit and I didn't have cigarettes.  That was my quit day, March 5, and I've been going ever since - now over 2 months.
   
   The biggest hurdle is quitting; then getting past those cravings.  I used NRT - or nicotine replacement therapy to help me, and it worked.  Of course, I still had cravings, and I also did a lot of preparation leading up to my quit - making a quit plan and thinking of what I would do to avoid triggers or deal with cravings.
   
   Here are some ways I did it -
   Drink lots of water.  When you have a craving, drink water, at least a bottle
   Deep Breathing - Take some deep breaths - in through your nose as deep as you can; out through your mouth - all the air.  Do that at LEAST 10 times, and keep going if you need to. Do deep breathing as much as you need to.
   Have at least one thought or thoughts to replace the focus on wanting a  cigarette - I went through my reasons for quitting
   NRT - for me it was nicotine gum, and later nicotine lozenges, which helped a lot with the cravings, and I would take this when I knew I would normally smoke or want a cigarette
   Keep trying and let me know how you are doing!
   
   
3. eagerquit

   

   415 posts
   Registered:
   07 Mar 2018
   06 May 2018

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   Hi Selina Marie,
   
   I can certainly identify with your morning craving. I used to smoke as soon as I got up in the morning and that was really tough to get past. I had a number of major problems with smoking that created an urgency for quitting. I keep that list on hand and refer to it any time I feel the urge to smoke:
   
   The wheezing at night
   Blocked sinuses
   Clothes smelling of smoke
   Smoking in cold, snow and rain
   High blood pressure
   Burn holes
   The drain on money
   
   You would have your own reasons and should write them down. I also wrote down a bucket list of rewards to myself for quitting smoking and I also keep that handy. I have now been smoke free for two months using nicotine lozenges and gum. At first I did a lot of it but gradually weaned it down to just one or two a day.
   
   Quitting the habit of decades is not easy physically or psychologically. I visit this site often for support. I hope this helps.
   
   Eagerquit
   
   
4. treepeo

   

   832 posts
   Registered:
   29 Nov 2017
   06 May 2018

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   Hi Selina Marie,
   
   Mornings were hard for me, too, because I used to smoke 3 cigarettes before I left for work.  So I changed my morning routine a bit.  I slept in a little longer, because I didn't need the time it took me to smoke.  I had something to eat instead of smoking.  And sometimes I left for work earlier just to keep myself busy.  And when I craved, which was always, I asked myself if I was really serious about quitting this time.  And I was, so I didn't give in.
   
   I feel your pain.  Quitting isn't easy.  Sometimes you feel like you are losing your mind.  It's really tough.  But it IS possible to quit.  Have you tried using any NRTs?  
5. marianne, quit coach

   

   278 posts
   Registered:
   30 Nov 2017
   06 May 2018

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   Hello Selina Marie,
   
   Anticipating a huge lifestyle change is nerve wracking!  Especially when you have relied on your cigarettes for many reasons.  The thought of parting with something that has meaning to you is not easy.  
   
   Everyone has shared such important steps and mindsets they have adapted.  Does anything expressed resonate with you to help you on the morning of you set quit date? 
   
   We certainly want to support you with your motivation and building up your skills.  Feel free to share your thoughts further.  
   
   Believing you are going to turn things around and make it happen soon!  
   
   Marianne
6. brieffree

   

   1478 posts
   Registered:
   28 Nov 2017
   07 May 2018

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   selina marie
   
   Congrats in your decision to quit, do not be afraid nothing wrong happened if you stop Poison your lungs.
   
   Make a plan, drink a lot water.
   
   And welcome to a new life as NON smoker!
   
7. jenny12

   

   7 posts
   Registered:
   07 Mar 2018
   08 May 2018

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   I can totally relate with you on this one, morning was my favorite time to smoke. I used to jump out of bed as soon as my eyes open. Run downstairs and put coffee on and than step outside for that first one. After I would come in get my coffee, sit down check email and than of course outside I would go. I think I would have 3-4 within the first hour I was awake.
   The easiest way I could get through this was to totally change my morning. Now when I wake up I lay in bed and think about my day, usually about 15 mins I stay in bed after I wake. Than I go put coffee on while I wait I go brush my teeth. Than I have my coffee while doing some reading on the internet. I do only have 1 coffee in the morning now. I now I will only have 2 to 3 coffees a day now.