I quit 4 years ago after 2o something years of smoking.
I used the patch to feed me nicotine while i broke the physically nervous habit of having something to do with my hands. And knowing i had that craving, made me feel good knowing i was getting the nicotine while I was overcoming the mental part of it.
Then when I felt like that battle was over, at least the major hurdle, i stopped the patch so i could deal with that (it was not as bad as the physical habit of having one after a meal, with coffee, in the car, or if i had wine). During a craving, sounds simple but works, deep breaths, deep breaths of clean air in your lungs is perfect.
To keep me busy, i chew sunflower seeds, it takes a while to get that seed out of its shell, so it keeps my hands busy. Gum is another good thing. Do you crouchet or knit?
I also had the attitude that if I am to live, I can never have another cigarette in my life EVER. Once that sank in and it did take time wrestling with it, but It works.So I don't play around with the idea that I can smoke later that will lead me to be a smoker again and again.
Deep clean air breaths change my mind about having a cigarette, not to mention, that it was hard enough to quit the first time. I will never go through "quitting" again. it was the hardest but most rewarding thing I have ever done for myself. Good luck and email me back with any questions or if you just need someone to talk you through ok?
Oh yea, I smoked a 1/2 of cigarette the morning I quit and kept 19 1/2 cigarettes in my purse for a whole month. If I was to quit, it had to be my decision and not because I ran out or someone was making me (I am rebellious that way).It was my choice and I controlled the situation.
Good luck, K.