Section 3: Managing Cravings and Preventing Relapse
What is a craving?
Understand that a craving is a strong but temporary urge that can be triggered by physical withdrawal or learned cues.
A craving is a strong urge to smoke that can be triggered by an environmental cue, an emotion, a thought, or nicotine withdrawal.
Physical withdrawal craving
This can be linked to biological symptoms that appear as nicotine levels drop, especially in the early period of quitting.
Conditioned psychological craving
It can also appear later, triggered by learned cues like stress, coffee, the smell of smoke, certain people, or settings.
The important message
A craving being strong doesn't mean you have to give in to it. It can be noticed as an urge and be allowed to pass without smoking.
Key takeaways
A craving isn't an order; it's a temporary urge, and it can be triggered by different cues.
This content is for general information and is not a substitute for medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional about your own health.