Hi BJ,
I dont know if this will help, but it might. Its just another coping strategy that might be usefull. I read about it a couple of years ago when I thought about quitting, but never got round to it, but have now found that it helps along with the other methods described and encouraged on this fantastic site.
The idea is that you initially confront your craving rather than avoid it. The best way to describe it is by example, so here goes:-
When a craving arrives it gives me an empty, nagging, nawing, very unpleasant feeling. First I take a few deep breaths then I face the enemy (nicodemon). Usually the nicodemon says to me that it will all go away if I have a cigarette. I answer it by saying, ok, well you are making me feel pretty awful but "physically" you are doing me no harm. You cant break my arms or legs, or give me bruises or a black eye or do me any real harm. Its just a feeling, and if I view that feeling objectively I realise that that is the best you can do, just a very uncomfortable feeling.
So I then tell nicodemon - well if thats the best you can do then go away, leave me alone, and then I distract myself with some other coping method, (eg water, go for a walk, etc). I feel that I am therefore taking my enemy on face to face and have found that each time he (nicodemon) returns he is a little bit weaker, and I am a little bit stronger and healthier, and one day he will just give up.
Well, sorry this post is so long but its a method that has helped me and just maybe it will help you or some other readers in some way as part of their arsenal against the evil nicodemon.
best of luck, you can do this.
[B]My Milage:[/B]
[B]My Quit Date: [/B]1/28/2008
[B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 20
[B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 600
[B]Amount Saved:[/B] �105.00
[B]Life Gained:[/B]
[B]Days:[/B] 3 [B]Hrs:[/B] 13 [B]Mins:[/B] 56 [B]Seconds:[/B] 20
