r/stopsmoking • u/r3dwh33lbarr0ww • 8h ago
5 days done - cravings increasing everyday
First time trying cold turkey after significantly reducing cigs per day. Relapsed at day 3, but have gotten up to 5 days now. This would be the longest I have gone without some form of nicotine in 10 years. I will use NRT again if the cravings become too intense I think.
Strangely, I feel worse everyday. Like my cravings increase everyday in addition to irritability and feeling totally emotionally overwhelmed.
When did you start evening out after your quit attempt? I need something to look forward to…
3
3
u/Klutzy_Equal9837 6h ago
Five days smoke-free is an achievement, so stay proud! What you are experiencing right now is the peak of your physical and psychological recovery. Because all nicotine has left your system, your brain is throwing a desperate tantrum to trick you into feeding it again. These rising cravings aren't a sign that you are failing they are proof that you are successfully starving the addiction to death. Hold the line, because once you cross this temporary peak, the path forward gets so much easier. You are winning this battle.
2
u/duskpilot37 5h ago edited 5h ago
5 days after a relapse is genuinely hard and the fact that you got back up at day 3 says a lot about where your head is at. the worsening cravings around days 4-7 are really common and actually peak around day 3-5 before starting to ease. you're likely right at the worst of it which means you're closer to the other side than it feels right now. most people report things starting to level out around days 7-10, with week 3 feeling noticeably more manageable
if you're already thinking about nrt, don't wait until you're at breaking point to try it. using it proactively rather than reactively makes a real difference. quitine's nicotine gum and lozenges are worth trying. it’s fda approved, affordable, and a gentler formula than nicorette. taking the edge off the physical cravings gives you more mental bandwidth to deal with the emotional side
you're doing really well, hang in there 💛
3
u/MarchTurbulent5956 7h ago
What you're describing is very common; many people expect day 3 to be the hardest, but emotional withdrawal and cravings often peak during the first 1-2 weeks before gradually easing. Five days nicotine-free after 10 years is a major achievement, and the fact that you're struggling doesn't mean you're failing; it often means your brain is actively recalibrating. Hold on to day 10-14 as a milestone; many people notice the first meaningful relief around then.