How to Manage Nicotine Cravings

According to MayoClinic.com, nicotine is the chemical in tobacco that makes you want to keep smoking and stay dependent on it. When smoking, nicotine releases neurotransmitters in the brain that make you feel good. People keep craving that good feeling and keep smoking. Other factors such as stress, the smell of a cigarette and even driving your car can all make you crave nicotine. There are ways to manage nicotine cravings, however, that can help you kick smoking.

Things You'll Need

• Non-smoking friends
• Non-smoking restaurants and bars
• Healthy snacks to chew on
• Sugar-free gum
• Journal
• Non-alcoholic drinks

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Instructions

• 1

  Keep a journal of when and why you smoke. This will help you understand your smoking triggers before you begin your quest to quit smoking. Write down each time you light up a cigarette, and note how you feel at that time.

• 2

  Sit in the non-smoking section of a restaurant or bar that has a smoking section. Smelling smoke could make you crave nicotine, so try to avoid it at all costs.

• 3

  Spend less time with people who smoke because seeing them smoke could cause you to crave nicotine. Try to spend more time with your non-smoking friends until you completely kick your cravings.

• 4

  Keep your mouth busy. Because smoking is so tied to using your mouth, it's important to keep you mouth busy by chewing on sugar-free gum, snacking on something healthful like carrots or celery, or using a straw when you drink.

• 5

  Avoid alcohol. For many people, drinking and smoking go hand in hand. When you drink, you lower your inhibitions, and this might lead to you lighting up a cigarette. Instead, drink soda, iced tea or water.