Arrrrgghhh!
December 14, 2009 2:33 PM Subscribe
Quitting smoking: Please help with the "irritability"
And by irritablity read: Rage. Grouch on steriods.
I'm quiting smoking for New Year's (cliche, yes) and I've quit before, but my major stumbling block is the irritablity. Any ideas on how to combat it? (FWIW: I've tried patches/gum, wellibutrin and chantix, I'll be using chantix again as it was what worked best, so I'd like to stay away from the nic replacement ideas).
How to explain it to Mr. Cestmoi (he doesn't smoke and just doesn't understand the physical addition aspect)?
Any thoughts/recommendations etc. would be soo appreciated.
And by irritablity read: Rage. Grouch on steriods.
I'm quiting smoking for New Year's (cliche, yes) and I've quit before, but my major stumbling block is the irritablity. Any ideas on how to combat it? (FWIW: I've tried patches/gum, wellibutrin and chantix, I'll be using chantix again as it was what worked best, so I'd like to stay away from the nic replacement ideas).
How to explain it to Mr. Cestmoi (he doesn't smoke and just doesn't understand the physical addition aspect)?
Any thoughts/recommendations etc. would be soo appreciated.
B vitamins can help with mood issues, so it probably wouldn't hurt to start taking them now.
posted by apricot at 2:49 PM on December 14, 2009
posted by apricot at 2:49 PM on December 14, 2009
Cut down on your caffeine intake! I read somewhere that when you smoke you metabolize caffeine faster than non-smokers. I quit 3 years ago and when I did I cut my caffeine intake in half (by going "half-caff") and it really helped with that "climbing the walls" feeling.
Good luck! Once you get through the rough patches, you will be so glad you quit! I know I am.
posted by cottonswab at 2:51 PM on December 14, 2009
Good luck! Once you get through the rough patches, you will be so glad you quit! I know I am.
posted by cottonswab at 2:51 PM on December 14, 2009
I stopped a while back using champix (European name for Chantix). Definitely easier to stop using it, but I'm back smoking again and planning to quit in the new year also - and so what if it is a cliche any reason to stop is a good one. I didn't really get rage, but would be more irritated by stupid things. More than this though was the weird restlessness that would come over me every so often. What helped with me was taking it that any of that sort of stuff was confirmation that it was working, and that tended to help as it was a sign of success rather than failure.
It's hard to explain to someone who hasn't experienced addiction what it is like. You don't just have an addiction, you have a relationship with nicotine/tobacco. You think about it, you plan your time around it, and then it suddenly leaves the country and part of you isn't sure that you want it to go, and you miss it. That does pass though.
Best of luck, if you want to quit you will. I hope we are both successful quitting in 2010.
posted by Elmore at 2:53 PM on December 14, 2009
It's hard to explain to someone who hasn't experienced addiction what it is like. You don't just have an addiction, you have a relationship with nicotine/tobacco. You think about it, you plan your time around it, and then it suddenly leaves the country and part of you isn't sure that you want it to go, and you miss it. That does pass though.
Best of luck, if you want to quit you will. I hope we are both successful quitting in 2010.
posted by Elmore at 2:53 PM on December 14, 2009
Cut down on your caffeine intake!
I found that with Chantix my interest in coffee dropped also. I still drank a few cups a day, but not nearly as much of it.
posted by Elmore at 2:54 PM on December 14, 2009
I found that with Chantix my interest in coffee dropped also. I still drank a few cups a day, but not nearly as much of it.
posted by Elmore at 2:54 PM on December 14, 2009
I'm guessing your problem is worse around family and friends, because you don't have to wear your Sunday attitude with them, as you do at work.
Have yourself a couple t-shirts made that say something like "Please don't feed or tease the quitter" with a slash-circled cigarette, sort of like the signs protecting animals at the zoo.
It's a nice-humored way of reminding loved ones that you will have little or no sense of humor for the next little while, but you still care about their safety.
posted by toodleydoodley at 3:04 PM on December 14, 2009
Have yourself a couple t-shirts made that say something like "Please don't feed or tease the quitter" with a slash-circled cigarette, sort of like the signs protecting animals at the zoo.
It's a nice-humored way of reminding loved ones that you will have little or no sense of humor for the next little while, but you still care about their safety.
posted by toodleydoodley at 3:04 PM on December 14, 2009
Nicotine is a nasty drug, it's positively malicious in the ways it twists your brain when you're trying to kick the habit. You should recognize irritability as one of those tricks. It's an excuse nicotine provides you to rationalize why you should go back to smoking. For me at least viewing the whole thing as a battle of wits between myself and an imagined malevolent demon inside my head called nicotine actually helped me through the process. When the cravings, irritability, weird thoughts etc. would hit, recognizing them as tricks and traps set by the demon helped, I would say, "I see what you're doing and I won't fall for it". I may have been slightly crazy, but it was temporary and I haven't smoked in 5 years.
posted by Long Way To Go at 3:15 PM on December 14, 2009 [4 favorites]
posted by Long Way To Go at 3:15 PM on December 14, 2009 [4 favorites]
Here is how I have it mapped out in my head. Some of the specifics might be backwards or not entirely correct, but the idea stands:
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that our brains use to control motivation. When dopamine drops, we become motivated. When we are hungry, dopamine drops and that drop combined with the hungry feeling motivates us to eat. Same thing for sex and anything else we feel pleasure for having done. (Dopamine = pleasure, satiety, comfort, etc)
Smoking disrupts that pattern, because nicotine causes a release of dopamine. It still works, but very often, we feel the "I gotta do something" dopamine motivation, and instead of figuring out what it is, we smoke and satiate it artificially.
When we quit smoking, those signals suddenly become much "louder" to us. The discomfort of the motivational dopamine drop seems way more uncomfortable than it used to. We become edgy and irritable.
(Also, there is the simple mechanism of the habit itself releasing dopamine. Fingernail biting or toe tapping or whatever gives us comfort, and trying to stop doing those things gives us discomfort. Smoking even more so.)
To my way of thinking, there are two ways to overcome that- power through the discomfort until we get used to the new (or pre-smoking) way our brains work through sheer force of will, and a realization that it really is all just in our head. Or some kind of pharmaceutical way to mute it down a little, to make the transition easier. I found that the patches worked great for quitting cigarettes- kept the nicotine addiction at bay while I fought the habit part of the problem. Or the smoking pills, which adjust brain chemistry the same way only different.
The other thing is to listen to those motivator feelings and try to satisfy them. If you are hungry, don't put it off like you used to be able to do by smoking. If something is pissing you off, find a way to not be pissed off, rather than short-circuiting that feeling by smoking.
ZGood luck!
posted by gjc at 3:25 PM on December 14, 2009
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that our brains use to control motivation. When dopamine drops, we become motivated. When we are hungry, dopamine drops and that drop combined with the hungry feeling motivates us to eat. Same thing for sex and anything else we feel pleasure for having done. (Dopamine = pleasure, satiety, comfort, etc)
Smoking disrupts that pattern, because nicotine causes a release of dopamine. It still works, but very often, we feel the "I gotta do something" dopamine motivation, and instead of figuring out what it is, we smoke and satiate it artificially.
When we quit smoking, those signals suddenly become much "louder" to us. The discomfort of the motivational dopamine drop seems way more uncomfortable than it used to. We become edgy and irritable.
(Also, there is the simple mechanism of the habit itself releasing dopamine. Fingernail biting or toe tapping or whatever gives us comfort, and trying to stop doing those things gives us discomfort. Smoking even more so.)
To my way of thinking, there are two ways to overcome that- power through the discomfort until we get used to the new (or pre-smoking) way our brains work through sheer force of will, and a realization that it really is all just in our head. Or some kind of pharmaceutical way to mute it down a little, to make the transition easier. I found that the patches worked great for quitting cigarettes- kept the nicotine addiction at bay while I fought the habit part of the problem. Or the smoking pills, which adjust brain chemistry the same way only different.
The other thing is to listen to those motivator feelings and try to satisfy them. If you are hungry, don't put it off like you used to be able to do by smoking. If something is pissing you off, find a way to not be pissed off, rather than short-circuiting that feeling by smoking.
ZGood luck!
posted by gjc at 3:25 PM on December 14, 2009
Another thing is to not play any tricks on yourself. I have a couple of aunts who are perpetual smoking-quitters. And every time, they work themselves up into a lather about "oh, gawd, the smell of that cigarette makes me want to smoke, keep everything that reminds me of smoking away from me!" Thus guaranteeing that when someone accidentally leaves an ashtray out, they will have an excuse to smoke.
In other words, make it about YOU and your decision, not other people. Who cares if Uncle Ronnie stinks of cigar smoke, because I don't smoke any more. Creating a false reality to get through the quitting guarantees that when the real reality comes back, you won't have any experience dealing with it.
posted by gjc at 3:29 PM on December 14, 2009
In other words, make it about YOU and your decision, not other people. Who cares if Uncle Ronnie stinks of cigar smoke, because I don't smoke any more. Creating a false reality to get through the quitting guarantees that when the real reality comes back, you won't have any experience dealing with it.
posted by gjc at 3:29 PM on December 14, 2009
After many, many years as a 25 cigarette a day smoker, I quit with my husband (a pack and a half a day smoker) in 1997, and we were both so p.o.'d that we had our worst fight ever. Over absolutely nothing. We survived.
I will tell you since I quit for just 3 years with Smoke Enders that tapering and other alleviation methods don't seem to work in the long term. You essentially want your quit to be so painful and unpleasant that you never, never want to smoke again, so you don't have to go through quitting again.
I will also tell you that this, too, will pass, and fairly soon. It will only take you a week or two to shed the physical craving . . . it is the psychological/mental/emotional one that is tougher and takes longer. As for dealing with that, it is helpful to identify your "junkie thinking" around cigarettes (like "I just want one," when in reality you want to smoke tons forever, or "I can just cut back" when you know you can't.) It also is helpful to remind yourself you always can smoke if you decide to do that, and mentally list the top reasons you choose not to do so . . . right now.
Good luck! I love not smoking . . . among other things, I no longer am convinced I'll die of lung cancer, don't cough all the time, wear clothes and live in a house that smells pleasant, and can really appreciate my food and wine.
posted by bearwife at 3:33 PM on December 14, 2009
I will tell you since I quit for just 3 years with Smoke Enders that tapering and other alleviation methods don't seem to work in the long term. You essentially want your quit to be so painful and unpleasant that you never, never want to smoke again, so you don't have to go through quitting again.
I will also tell you that this, too, will pass, and fairly soon. It will only take you a week or two to shed the physical craving . . . it is the psychological/mental/emotional one that is tougher and takes longer. As for dealing with that, it is helpful to identify your "junkie thinking" around cigarettes (like "I just want one," when in reality you want to smoke tons forever, or "I can just cut back" when you know you can't.) It also is helpful to remind yourself you always can smoke if you decide to do that, and mentally list the top reasons you choose not to do so . . . right now.
Good luck! I love not smoking . . . among other things, I no longer am convinced I'll die of lung cancer, don't cough all the time, wear clothes and live in a house that smells pleasant, and can really appreciate my food and wine.
posted by bearwife at 3:33 PM on December 14, 2009
Cranberry juice (or if you don't like cranberry -- substitute orange juice.) Keep a bottle on you, and sip it regularly for the first week to keep your blood sugar up. Doing so diminishes the intensity of nicotine cravings, reduces irritability, and seems to shorten the duration of physical withdrawal.
Good luck!
posted by edverb at 4:12 PM on December 14, 2009
Good luck!
posted by edverb at 4:12 PM on December 14, 2009
I've been quit for 3 years now after trying every season for 10 years. I think there's two reasons for the irritability: the bio-chemical one, and the psychological one.
In dealing with the bio-chemical one, more exercise and more water. And repeat.
For the psychological one, reframe your position. What helped me with the irritability was to remind myself that quitting was not only my choice (which it was), it was my deepest desire; that I was not missing out on anything - in reality, I was putting myself in a place where cravings would no longer bother me.
I used to find quitting very difficult when I'd look at a smoker and think, huh, they still get to smoke. Now my point of view is rather, oh poor sod, they still have to smoke.
posted by b33j at 4:22 PM on December 14, 2009 [1 favorite]
In dealing with the bio-chemical one, more exercise and more water. And repeat.
For the psychological one, reframe your position. What helped me with the irritability was to remind myself that quitting was not only my choice (which it was), it was my deepest desire; that I was not missing out on anything - in reality, I was putting myself in a place where cravings would no longer bother me.
I used to find quitting very difficult when I'd look at a smoker and think, huh, they still get to smoke. Now my point of view is rather, oh poor sod, they still have to smoke.
posted by b33j at 4:22 PM on December 14, 2009 [1 favorite]
If you haven't already, start tapering off how much you smoke as much as possible. When I quit I had worked myself down to only one or two cigarettes a day, and I think this really helped shorten the period where I was a raving jerk.
I would also pretty much allow yourself other (non-addictive) vices with abandon for the first week or two. Like chocolate? Eat it. Cheese? Soda? Whatever your thing is.
I would sit Mr. Cestmoi down with some articles that explain the science (brain changes, dopamine, etc...) and the effects (crazy insane irritability for a while). If he isn't a smoker I would think he'd be 100% behind your efforts, and could endure a week or two of flying off the handle.
posted by grapesaresour at 4:38 PM on December 14, 2009
I would also pretty much allow yourself other (non-addictive) vices with abandon for the first week or two. Like chocolate? Eat it. Cheese? Soda? Whatever your thing is.
I would sit Mr. Cestmoi down with some articles that explain the science (brain changes, dopamine, etc...) and the effects (crazy insane irritability for a while). If he isn't a smoker I would think he'd be 100% behind your efforts, and could endure a week or two of flying off the handle.
posted by grapesaresour at 4:38 PM on December 14, 2009
I don't know anything about nicotine and caffeine, but definitely different drugs affect the way you metabolize caffeine. And also caffeine can make you more anxious/irritable. Definitely something to think about. However do not try to quit caffeine and cigs at the same time!
posted by radioamy at 4:45 PM on December 14, 2009
posted by radioamy at 4:45 PM on December 14, 2009
I quit with Chantix. A few months later:
"Wow, that was awesome quitting -- but damn, the Chantix made me such a raging, irritable asshole for that month or so."
"Uh... don't you think that was the nicotine withdrawl"
"...Oh snap..."
If your SO loves you, you'll get through it! It's not fun, but its WORTH IT.
For the psychological one, reframe your position. What helped me with the irritability was to remind myself that quitting was not only my choice (which it was), it was my deepest desire; that I was not missing out on anything - in reality, I was putting myself in a place where cravings would no longer bother me.
I used to find quitting very difficult when I'd look at a smoker and think, huh, they still get to smoke. Now my point of view is rather, oh poor sod, they still have to smoke.
Exactly -- it sounds SO trite, but it honestly was a revelation when I realized that I didn't want to smoke. It wasn't something being done to me for me to gripe about, it was something I was doing consciously out of my desire to break the chemical slavery. This is really important, because you're the only thing that can save yourself from the web of justifications and tricks your nicotine starved brain will weave.
posted by wrok at 4:47 PM on December 14, 2009
"Wow, that was awesome quitting -- but damn, the Chantix made me such a raging, irritable asshole for that month or so."
"Uh... don't you think that was the nicotine withdrawl"
"...Oh snap..."
If your SO loves you, you'll get through it! It's not fun, but its WORTH IT.
For the psychological one, reframe your position. What helped me with the irritability was to remind myself that quitting was not only my choice (which it was), it was my deepest desire; that I was not missing out on anything - in reality, I was putting myself in a place where cravings would no longer bother me.
I used to find quitting very difficult when I'd look at a smoker and think, huh, they still get to smoke. Now my point of view is rather, oh poor sod, they still have to smoke.
Exactly -- it sounds SO trite, but it honestly was a revelation when I realized that I didn't want to smoke. It wasn't something being done to me for me to gripe about, it was something I was doing consciously out of my desire to break the chemical slavery. This is really important, because you're the only thing that can save yourself from the web of justifications and tricks your nicotine starved brain will weave.
posted by wrok at 4:47 PM on December 14, 2009
I quit smoking about 5 times using various cessation methods (usually the patch). The irritability was too much to deal with. The last (successful) time I quit, I quit cold turkey. I was insanely irritable for about 4 days, in which i picked 2 fights with people that were really satisfying, then the irritability went away. I would suggest trying to go cold turkey and being around people who won't hate you if you fight with them. And keep in mind that all the negativity WILL go away. Good luck! I've been smoke free for 6 months now and haven't looked back!
posted by katypickle at 5:09 PM on December 14, 2009
posted by katypickle at 5:09 PM on December 14, 2009
cestmoi15: “Quitting smoking: Please help with the "irritability" And by irritablity read: Rage. Grouch on steriods... Any ideas on how to combat it? ... How to explain it to Mr. Cestmoi (he doesn't smoke and just doesn't understand the physical addition aspect)?”
It seems as though having lots and lots of sex might solve both of those problems. That's just a thought, though.
posted by koeselitz at 6:32 PM on December 14, 2009
It seems as though having lots and lots of sex might solve both of those problems. That's just a thought, though.
posted by koeselitz at 6:32 PM on December 14, 2009
Pack a day smoker for over 20 years, tried everything, finally was recommended Allan Carr's The Easyway to Quit Smoking and it worked like magic. Even if you're using Chantix, I cannot recommend The Magic Book highly enough. I quit last August, and had NO irritability issues.
The way I framed it is, why be irritable? You're doing the best thing EVER, it's like escaping from prison, what's to be cranky about?
Be aware that smoking not only messes with your caffeine metabolism, but it also jerks around your blood sugar level. Cut back on coffee by about 50%, and buffer any blood sugar drops with fruit juice and frequent snacks, and you'll be set.
posted by ErikaB at 6:50 PM on December 14, 2009
The way I framed it is, why be irritable? You're doing the best thing EVER, it's like escaping from prison, what's to be cranky about?
Be aware that smoking not only messes with your caffeine metabolism, but it also jerks around your blood sugar level. Cut back on coffee by about 50%, and buffer any blood sugar drops with fruit juice and frequent snacks, and you'll be set.
posted by ErikaB at 6:50 PM on December 14, 2009
Response by poster: Elmore: pack a day (20 cigs/day) for over 20 years now.
And thanks for the answers so far, please keep them coming, I'm especially interested in nutritional issues (I've already cut down caffeine) and the framing (yay! I'm no longer addicted instead OMG I want one!).
Also, I know those in my personal life can overlook the beeyatch, it is really, really hard to keep a cool head at work, though.
posted by cestmoi15 at 8:08 PM on December 14, 2009
And thanks for the answers so far, please keep them coming, I'm especially interested in nutritional issues (I've already cut down caffeine) and the framing (yay! I'm no longer addicted instead OMG I want one!).
Also, I know those in my personal life can overlook the beeyatch, it is really, really hard to keep a cool head at work, though.
posted by cestmoi15 at 8:08 PM on December 14, 2009
I've had luck with passionflower tea during the first several days to take the edge off. Other than that, determination and the knowledge that it's too fucking cold out there, plus that shit will kill you, goes a long way. Physical addiction only lasts for a few days, after that it's just a head game and a change of lifestyle. Get used to non-smoking and you're home free.
posted by waxboy at 10:59 PM on December 14, 2009
posted by waxboy at 10:59 PM on December 14, 2009
OK, here's the mantra we learned in our one week addiction oriented quit class in 1997, hope it helps you. Every now and then I still trot it out and recite it in my head if something about smoking briefly appeals to me:
"I'm wanting to smoke right now, because I'm addicted to nicotine. My drug is legal and available. But just one puff, and I'm back to smoking _____ cigarettes a day, like it or not. So right now, I choose to stand up to my addiction, because I want (list your top three of ten reasons, most important first. Mine are, better breathing, arrest lung disease, and a stronger, healthier heart.)"
A few other great things about not smoking is not having to run outside the airport or stand out in the cold to smoke, laughing without coughing, and keeping my money.
Everyone in our cessation class had gotten hooked on cigarettes well before age 18. I am so delighted to no longer be in thrall to the tobacco companies. I don't understand how they can endure themselves, since virtually all their clientele were snagged as kids. Aim a little of your anger at them . . . it is nice not to subsidize a basically evil industry.
posted by bearwife at 11:32 PM on December 14, 2009
"I'm wanting to smoke right now, because I'm addicted to nicotine. My drug is legal and available. But just one puff, and I'm back to smoking _____ cigarettes a day, like it or not. So right now, I choose to stand up to my addiction, because I want (list your top three of ten reasons, most important first. Mine are, better breathing, arrest lung disease, and a stronger, healthier heart.)"
A few other great things about not smoking is not having to run outside the airport or stand out in the cold to smoke, laughing without coughing, and keeping my money.
Everyone in our cessation class had gotten hooked on cigarettes well before age 18. I am so delighted to no longer be in thrall to the tobacco companies. I don't understand how they can endure themselves, since virtually all their clientele were snagged as kids. Aim a little of your anger at them . . . it is nice not to subsidize a basically evil industry.
posted by bearwife at 11:32 PM on December 14, 2009
You might look into Vitmain D supplements. I found out I was mildly deficient and started taking them this year (albeit sporadically) and have become far less irritable and am much better able to handle stress.
posted by fshgrl at 12:08 AM on December 15, 2009
posted by fshgrl at 12:08 AM on December 15, 2009
I like the "smoky thinking" examples here. You might have to find your own, to combat your own self-talk by reframing. For example, instead of "I hate that cigarettes are making me so cranky!" you might need to tell yourself "Wow, I'm having a hard time getting through the day without cigarettes. What can I do to make it easier on myself?" (make a cup of tea, tell the source of the irritation what's going on, etc - basically give yourself permission to be irritable, then look for ways to relieve it. Good luck and please check out the other resources on that site - I wish I had known about it when I quit last year.
posted by pants at 5:10 AM on December 15, 2009
posted by pants at 5:10 AM on December 15, 2009
Best answer: I've been dealing with this issue myself. I find that I have to ride out irritability. That there is little I can do about it, due to the nature of withdrawal, other than try very deliberately to alter my own mood (I literally snap myself out of it by reminding myself a few key things that make me feel happy and safe in the world).
I usually give myself a quit date where a few days will pass before I have to deal with anyone (at work) like a friday after work, or during vacation.
Drink as much water and green tea as you can to flush your system of nicotine - which will make the process of physical withdrawal that much faster.
Irritabilty is the result of withdrawal, the change, fear of the unkown, feeling psychologically deprived and the fact your brain is very physically trying to re-wire itself. You feel "deprived" of something your brain actually considers is essential for your survival (like air or water). That's why it's such hell.
I would go way out of your own way to be good to yourself at this point.
Take a minute to figure out exactly what stresses you out and prepare mentally or avoid those things for a while. Buffer yourself against any unnecessary stressors (just for a couple of weeks).
Avoid certain people (again, temporarily - don't feel guitly about this).
Exercise. It's a great outlet for pent up stress/bitchiness. It was harder for me to relapse (err, eaisier to stay quit) while seriously exercising.
Wine.
Cry. It reduces stress much quicker than deep breathing (and even wine). Deep breathing is great for any serious craving episode, but crying is faster! (privately, of course).
Tea. The process of making myself hot tea fills both the ritual-centric and "reward" voids that are left when I quit smoking. And it's healthy (almost as healthy as wine).
It's like you have to learn how to deal with emotions (both good and bad) and stress (good and bad) like a human being all over again. Without the nicotine in your system to "postpone" emotions, it's literally like having no filter. No filter and none of the tools necessary to deal with things. You have to learn all of this (and your brain re-wire itself) and it takes time. This is why I was irritable four months in. Everyone is different, and changes as different rates.
Personally, just understanding the machinations of withdrawal and healing have helped me continue to keep negative emotions to myself. Not that I don't still feel irritable, I do, but at least I haven't dragged anyone else down with me this tiime.
You've done this before, so at least you know what to expect in terms of your own irritability. I think that's why they say each time you quit it gets easier - because you start to know exactly what to expect, and see patterns in your own relapses, etc.
People I know who have quit for over five years (one person, for twenty five) say that the moodiness goes away after about six months.
Good luck!
posted by marimeko at 8:09 AM on December 15, 2009
I usually give myself a quit date where a few days will pass before I have to deal with anyone (at work) like a friday after work, or during vacation.
Drink as much water and green tea as you can to flush your system of nicotine - which will make the process of physical withdrawal that much faster.
Irritabilty is the result of withdrawal, the change, fear of the unkown, feeling psychologically deprived and the fact your brain is very physically trying to re-wire itself. You feel "deprived" of something your brain actually considers is essential for your survival (like air or water). That's why it's such hell.
I would go way out of your own way to be good to yourself at this point.
Take a minute to figure out exactly what stresses you out and prepare mentally or avoid those things for a while. Buffer yourself against any unnecessary stressors (just for a couple of weeks).
Avoid certain people (again, temporarily - don't feel guitly about this).
Exercise. It's a great outlet for pent up stress/bitchiness. It was harder for me to relapse (err, eaisier to stay quit) while seriously exercising.
Wine.
Cry. It reduces stress much quicker than deep breathing (and even wine). Deep breathing is great for any serious craving episode, but crying is faster! (privately, of course).
Tea. The process of making myself hot tea fills both the ritual-centric and "reward" voids that are left when I quit smoking. And it's healthy (almost as healthy as wine).
It's like you have to learn how to deal with emotions (both good and bad) and stress (good and bad) like a human being all over again. Without the nicotine in your system to "postpone" emotions, it's literally like having no filter. No filter and none of the tools necessary to deal with things. You have to learn all of this (and your brain re-wire itself) and it takes time. This is why I was irritable four months in. Everyone is different, and changes as different rates.
Personally, just understanding the machinations of withdrawal and healing have helped me continue to keep negative emotions to myself. Not that I don't still feel irritable, I do, but at least I haven't dragged anyone else down with me this tiime.
You've done this before, so at least you know what to expect in terms of your own irritability. I think that's why they say each time you quit it gets easier - because you start to know exactly what to expect, and see patterns in your own relapses, etc.
People I know who have quit for over five years (one person, for twenty five) say that the moodiness goes away after about six months.
Good luck!
posted by marimeko at 8:09 AM on December 15, 2009
This thread is closed to new comments.
Good luck.
posted by Etrigan at 2:36 PM on December 14, 2009 [1 favorite]