Like any addiction, there will be emotional layers to uncover and work your way through.
I’m quitting again now, threw them in the bin and that’s that. Because I made the choice in my soul to quit, and won’t be trying to use ‘will power’ which never works.
I’d advise you to look for the justifications you make to yourself in the moments when you want to smoke. These might be something like ‘so and so is ******* me off so I’m going to smoke’. Or ‘we all die anyway, so what’s the point in quitting.’ Or even just ‘I like it, so I’m going to do it’. These can be really simple and not always related to the addiction!
I’d advise to replace the cigs with feeling the emotions that come up that you avoid by smoking. This is essential to this way of doing it.
They’ll start with anger (as I’m sure you’re aware), and irritability. Then you’ll probably have some fears come up and then grief underneath it all.
These are some of the layers I’m talking about. It can take time and I’m my experience you’ll relapse at moments here or there.
Go easy on yourself ! Beating yourself up and judging yourself is NOT HELPFUL and are just more layers to work through. As is the judgement of others if you get that too. Stand up for yourself and acknowledge it’s a choice you’re making - to smoke. Only once you do that can you acknowledge and make a choice not to smoke.
If you do it this way, then the urges won’t even come back. But it’s a process and it’s not always a quick, one time process. It depends how humble you are to your emotions.
There could be multiple emotions that cause you to reach for cigarettes.
But this is the best way to do it.
Pray plenty as well. God can help you
Good luck