Cognitive Quit Smoking

Hi Cath,
Congrats on your 54 days quit. Sounds like for the most part you’ve
got it in hand.
As for the after meal sensations, I think those were/are a combination
of a couple of factors… 1- a dose of nicotine causes the stomach to
produce acid which, in effect, initiates digestion, 2- any awareness of
abdominal sensations were associatied with a smoking response, 3- there was
a mechanical association i.e. put down the fork/use a napkin/push back from
the table/reach for a cigarette.

My suggestion is to be prepared to move away from the table immediately
when you finish eating. If walking isn’t a viable option, is there some
other way to get some gentle exercise? Clear the table, maybe wash the
dishes. I’d be hesitant to replace the old ‘cigarette desert’ with any
kind of oral alternative, with the exception of brushing and rinsing.

Brushing to change and freshen the environment in your mouth is always a
good idea. An astringent mouth wash, something like Lavoris, doesn’t seem
to go with a cigarette at all whereas something ‘minty’ might.
And then there’s the patience part of it Eight weeks is an wonderful start. But after enough years of repeated
patterns, it does take some time to move into a different way of being.
Some quitters do have a harder time with the meal/smoke pattern than with
some others like driving or breaks. But in time, with ABCs and thought,
Warren will come around.
Steve

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