Hi Drew,

I stopped smoking two weeks ago, and am nicotine-free officially for 11 days, and I identify with all of the symptoms you've outlined.

1) I also had a "surge of urge" over the past few days, which has hit me harder, unexpectedly, harder than the first few days. I am still dealing with this surge, but I am confident I will get past it-- and I urge you to adopt the same jaw-setting.

I suspect this late-surge of craves and urges might have a physical component, as the last of the smoking-related metabolites are being excreted from our cells and carried away through the blood-stream, to eventually be cleaned from our bodies.

With 4000 different compounds in cigarette smoke, there are probably some unknown addictive substances that have taken up residence in cells, changing brain chemistry in ways similar to nicotine but not yet understood as well-- this is the theory I adopt, as discerning the difference between physical and psychological craves is almost a spurious enterprise. I am confident my body and mind are becoming cleaner with each passing hour, and whatever the root cause of this particular surge of urges, This Too Shall Pass.

2) I have also shared your coffee experience. I have not cut back on my coffee, and may even have increased my consumption in reaction to craving. The coffee carries with it an attachment to the old nicotine addiction, and so from that association it has drawbacks, but at the same time, I feel some relief from withdrawal when I drink that first cup of the day. I intend to do without my daily dose of caffeine, eventually, but not for many months.

3) Drinking alcohol-- I can't relate, because I've never been much of a drinker. But I do know how being around other smokers, or in a heavy-smoking environment, can contribute to the association of smoking and drinking. But, just as with coffee, there is the ability to disassociate the activities. Probably you want to create a controlled environment, just you and the wife, and enjoy a beer or two together, sans cigarettes. Prove to yourself that you can enjoy a drink without the stinky fag, and acclimate yourself to your new, healthier way of imbiding.

4) I also experienced a recent heartburn episode, similar to yours. I ate some corn chowder at my favoritie restaurant. It had given me heartburn in the past, but this time it came on like gang-busters, a really harsh heart-burn, which subsided temporarily, but returned the next day with the next meal-- but I do not think my heartburn is directly related to the quit-- it is just a side-effect of getting healthier and feeling/smelling/tasting more.

All in all, your post reminded me that I am not alone, and there is nothing weird about all of the symptoms I have endured since I gave up sucking poison.

Hopefully, you'll get the same sense of sane similarity, and you and da wife will make it all da way... through the day, One Day At A Time.

Jim