Will cigarette cravings (when nictotine levels are low) decrease soon?!

[muddyfunkstar]

You'll reprogram yourself eventually. You're not actually craving a cigarette, you're just craving the nicotine it delivers. If you satisfy that craving with snus, then soon you'll associate the craving with snus, not cigarettes.

[simplesmoke]

Thanks for the feedback!

I guess I was just looking for positive confirmation that the mental cravings for a cigarette will subside. And for the most part that is what it sounds like..

I managed to make it through the weekend till now and just had one cigarette. So in the last 8 days it has been only 1. And that 1 I had after getting angry, that is the one trigger I had not had to deal with yet. Even at the time I was having a snus and then having a smoke ontop of it actually made me feel almost sick - Got really really tired also after. Although it was good! Which I was really hoping it would not be, so there would be some positive reinforcement to my brain.

I would have to say my cravings through the day are decreasing. And I know they have to be mental since I injest more nicotine through the day with snus more then I ever did during a day smoking. Based on the Nicotine levels on that one chart with all the brands, the ultra lights I smoked claimed it was only .1 grams of nicotine at 25 smokes a day... With 4mg snus if the absorption rate is only 20% that is still .8 mg of nicotine per snus packet. If I have 10 in a day that is 3 times more nicotine in a day then when I smoked.

I would also just take a guess in a year from now when my body is used to that more constant nicotine flow from snus using something like the nicotine patch would be more effective to quit the snus. Rather then to quit smoking.. (I really like it, so I am not sure I would even try that) but logically it seems like a better transition method if your intent was to one day become nicotine free.

Out of curiosity any former smokers find that when they can't snus for whatever reason that they then consider smoking to get that nicotine? I am hoping no, that in a year from now when I wake up in the morning and get my snus later for whatever reason my mind/body is just focused on snus and cigarettes don't even enter the picture to fix the craving.

[BadAxe]

When i have a real urge for a cig, and not just a nic craving, I have a cigarette. Because I rarely enjoy them. So when I have one, it reinforces that I do indeed like SNUS better. Now, I have never been able to do this with any other aid I used to quit. If I had a smoke then, well, I would be a smoker again. But with SNUS, I have a smoke, and say, yep, I still like SNUS better. But it lets my brain let go of that " I WANT A CIGARETTE", and then my body tells me we really don't like them anymore.

[LincolnSnuff]

Out of curiosity any former smokers find that when they can't snus for whatever reason that they then consider smoking to get that nicotine? I am hoping no, that in a year from now when I wake up in the morning and get my snus later for whatever reason my mind/body is just focused on snus and cigarettes don't even enter the picture to fix the craving.

No. I have been on snuff/snus instead of cigarettes for about a year and a half now. I can't think of a situation that would prevent me from snusing, other than eating or brushing my teeth. The few times I have forgotten my swedish snus at home in the morning, I have picked up a tin of dip to get me through the day. I actually enjoy the occasional tin of Kodiak as a way to change things up a bit.

[whalen]

The cravings are always going to present a challenge, That is why I use a pinch of Fubar Grunt to take my mind off the cravings, it works! Fast!

[BradenL]

Man, just buy an e-cig!

[snusjus]

I would recommend chain-snusing strong or extra strong portions all throughout the day. To be more clear, keep a strong portion in your upper lip all day and discard each portion after one hour of use, then immediately put in another portion. This will keep your nicotine levels constant, preventing you from experiencing the effects of nicotine withdrawal. I used this method and never experienced any cigarette cravings. After a few months of doing this, you can either switch to regular-strength portions or use a strong portion every couple of hours.

[RobsanX]

Don't discount the psychological addiction to smoking. When I first started, I would sometimes snus until I was dizzy, but still crave a cigarette. It turned out that I was craving food, not nicotine. It used to be that when I was hungry, I would sometimes just have a smoke to curb the hunger. That psychological aspect of cigarette addiction carried over.

I fixed it by just having a soda, or a snack when I the craving for a cigarette hit me. Just something to boost my blood sugar. The cravings eventually went away, although to this day I can't go out drinking without wanting a cigarette. Sometimes I'll have one, and sometimes I won't. Usually never more than one, and the next day I don't crave cigarettes at all.

[Snus Boost]

Good point. The cigarette manufacturers put sugar in cigarettes to raise your blood sugar when you smoke to make it more addictive. That is also why american Snus tastes so much more sweet.

[simplesmoke]

Don't discount the psychological addiction to smoking. When I first started, I would sometimes snus until I was dizzy, but still crave a cigarette. It turned out that I was craving food, not nicotine. It used to be that when I was hungry, I would sometimes just have a smoke to curb the hunger. That psychological aspect of cigarette addiction carried over.

I fixed it by just having a soda, or a snack when I the craving for a cigarette hit me. Just something to boost my blood sugar. The cravings eventually went away, although to this day I can't go out drinking without wanting a cigarette. Sometimes I'll have one, and sometimes I won't. Usually never more than one, and the next day I don't crave cigarettes at all.

Thanks, very interesting.. I was craving a smoke (more so days ago then now, it is waning somewhat.. but it still can hit when I have a nice nicotine buzz from the snus) when I was having full force nicotine buzz from the snus. I actually got headaches and some level of indigestion the first week of snussing, I have adjusted though.. That is why I keep refering to the psychological aspect. I just assumed it was because of something I have done for so many years. (hand to mouth aspect when I finish something, to kill time etc..) And wanted confirmation from others that quit with snus, hoping that will go away at some point.

I will have to experiment and see if it is my body wanting to feel some boost in blood sugar that it might also be missing now at times. I know it can't be the nicotine! I smoked ultra lights that according to that chart of nicotine levels of smokes, was just .1 mg of nicotine per cigarette. I use 4 mg portions and if I am only ingesting 20% of that nicotine in an hour that would be like .8 mg. So based on general #'s, by moving to snus having around 10 portions a day, if I go by that chart I have increased my nicotine intake to many times what it was, even if I was getting triple what the cigarette nicotine chart says.

I know its not all in my head though because without snus I have never been able to go without smoking this long before. So even though the chart says my smokes were only .1 mg of nicotine I somehow was getting more or I am super sensitive to nicotine. I know others that have quit smoking and they seem amazed that it could be that stress free.

Just hope my teeth/gums can handle the snus and don't fall out.

[simplesmoke]

Man, just buy an e-cig!

I have tried an e-cig, bought like 3 different kinds and tried several types of the juice. Most I got though was like a day of not smoking with that. Not sure why but it was not as satisfying as the snus I guess.

---

I honestly had no idea when trying the snus that it would be so effective. It was like the opposite of every other aid that I have tried. I had no specific hope, like this is going to work type process. Just figured I would try it and see how well it curbed my cravings.

One other thing I want to note which is weird for me, it seems no matter how much I talk about smoking/read about it in forums, see people smoking, etc.. it does NOT make me want to go do it while I have been using snus. At least not in the last 8 days.. I can't remember the first several days now. For me it has just been my own personal triggers I associated with smoking I guess. Lately it does seem random, so maybe there is some tie in with blood sugar.

[razaangraze.g]

the nicotine will be out of your blood stream in a week.. so the irritability, and overall anxiousness associated with a craving will most likely be decreased by then. still, as you know, smoking is more than a physical addiction- its habit (like you said, your first instinct would be to go outside after your family is gone), and can be triggered by lots of things (stress, alcohol cconsumption others smoking, etc). stay away from smokers, first of all. the smell of smoke will be very hard to deal with, especially for the first couple weeks. find other things to keep yourself busy, but try not to resort to food. a lot of people correlate weight gain with quitting smoking, but that's because people eat more to avoid the unpleasant feelings of withdrawl (food, after all, does give us pleasure). good luck with everything, and remember, don't be discouraged if you fall off the bandwagon.. get right ba

[simplesmoke]

Well another 15+ days and I have had probably 2 half smokes total. (Both were triggered from anger)

Hard to beat that one trigger! I think that will be the tough one for me.

Otherwise, my mental cravings are definitely occurring less and less.. I appreciate the confirmations that they will decrease. It made it easier at that time.

I did find that my body does not deal with swallowing the juice as well as I would like from snus. Hope that gets better over time also. Around a week ago I thought I was burned out 100% on the General mini mints or that I was having issues with the artificial sweetner that I have made my goto for now. Turned out I was getting nauseous from the gutting of the juice and associating that with the mini mints. (it would take half the day+ to start effecting me) After a day of a different snus (then feeling the same) started spitting it out and got the same nicotine buzz but by the end of the day was not getting turned off of snus. Now I am back on the generals without any issue. Now I just swallow like 40% of the time and if and I am outside swallow very little.

Hoping eventually I won't need to spit.

And I am using just mini portions, I am addicted to nicotine but have sensitivity to it I guess.. odd.

[saffron]

simplesmoke, I think folks missed a critical piece of your question. You asked if the cravings would go away when your nicotine levels are low. I think the correct answer is no.

I have been using snus for about 4 years now. Even when I had been without ciggs for several years, the cravings always come back if I ever let my nicotine levels get low. Easy answer, I almost NEVER let it get low. I moderate my snus usage carefully, and either chain snus or go at most maybe 20 minutes without a snus in. IF I keep the snus going, I never think or want a cigarette. I don't, I will.

And just a word of warning. After not smoking for 3 1/2 years, my wife and I fell into a 5 month on and off again smoking habit brought on by unusual stress in our lives. It was a crappy time that we finally seem to have beaten back. But the warning is real. The need for cigarettes will always lurk, at least for me and my wife. So best advice, keep using snus, but ensure you are using enough to COMPLETELY meet your nicotine levels.

[simplesmoke]

simplesmoke, I think folks missed a critical piece of your question. You asked if the cravings would go away when your nicotine levels are low. I think the correct answer is no.

I have been using snus for about 4 years now. Even when I had been without ciggs for several years, the cravings always come back if I ever let my nicotine levels get low. Easy answer, I almost NEVER let it get low. I moderate my snus usage carefully, and either chain snus or go at most maybe 20 minutes without a snus in. IF I keep the snus going, I never think or want a cigarette. I don't, I will.

And just a word of warning. After not smoking for 3 1/2 years, my wife and I fell into a 5 month on and off again smoking habit brought on by unusual stress in our lives. It was a crappy time that we finally seem to have beaten back. But the warning is real. The need for cigarettes will always lurk, at least for me and my wife. So best advice, keep using snus, but ensure you are using enough to COMPLETELY meet your nicotine levels.

Thank you for the information related to how it is for you and your wife.

It sounds like the switch to Snus from cigarettes is different for everyone. I am optimistic that I will get to a point that when I do have nicotine cravings that it will ONLY be for snus. (I can hope)

I def have issues if I have to go much more then 60 minutes after I spit a portion out before putting another back in. I liken it to the "nic-fit" type feeling I would get when "I really need a smoke" feeling back when I smoked before. And in the beginning of switching to snus 30+ days ago when that nic-fit type feeling would come, I would think of a cigarette right away. (And numerous other times) I am starting to find that when that nic-fit type feeling comes 60+ minutes after the portion is out, I am thinking more (not 100% yet, but definitely more) that the snus is what I need and want. I would have to say my thoughts of cigarettes are NOT cravings anymore. They def are when I get angry (the ONLY 2 times I broke down and had a half cig in the last 17 days) But I am hoping to get beyond that trigger. But then again I have not tried to NOT use a portion during the day for 4 hours. Maybe I would have a big cigarette craving.

Also when I wake up in the morning and get out the door (which at this point have not had nicotine for 10+ hours) I don't put the first portion of the day in till after showering, eating and leaving the house to go to work (just like when I smoked) And during that time I am not thinking about smoking like I was the first week or two, I am thinking about that portion and how it will be after the nicotine hits me.

What I am hoping (but I know it is probably not the case) is that a year from now if I did not have my snus for a day that I would not think about smoking right away.. but given that I am addicted to nicotine I am guessing my mind would tell me hey you could just smoke to get rid of that large need your feeling right now.

I guess for now I will just be happy that I am not smoking and will just continue to snus away and see what happens