Online Guide to Quitting
Back: Staying QuitStaying Quit
Keeping Your Guard Up
Your body has changed since you began to smoke. Your brain has learned to crave nicotine. So certain places, people, or events can trigger a strong urge to smoke, even years after quitting. That's why you should never take a puff again, no matter how long it has been since you quit.
At first, you may not be able to do things as well as when you were smoking. Don't worry. This won't last long. Your mind and body just need to get used to being without nicotine.
After you've quit, the urge to smoke often hits at the same times. For
many people, the hardest place to resist the urge is at home. And many urges
hit when someone else is smoking nearby. Look at your 
Craving
Journal (PDF) to see when you might be tempted. Then use the skills you've
learned to get through your urges without smoking.
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