The second condition of quitting- Oral fixation; or as I call it, Furniture Gnaw

In the chapter in Romancing The Smoke where 

I discuss withdrawal, the second condition I 

encountered was the battle to disable the repetitive 

oral fixation of tobacco handling. A big part of the 

habit. I named it Furniture Gnaw. After about three 

days, I had the urge to gnaw on the nearest wooden 

doorjamb or metal drawer handle. Furniture Gnaw 

attempted to convince me that this behavior was a 

suitable alternative to replace cigarette smoking.

My mouth was craving constant attention. While this 

makes no sense, they were authentic mental and physical cravings. Like Tornado Face, very primal.

Furniture Gnaw from Romancing The Smoke

A pack a day smoker handles 20 cigarettes, putting 

them in and out of their mouths a dozen times each 

smoke. This habit requires a minimum of 240 heavy 

inhalations daily of heavy smoke laced with nicotine 

and other chemicals, many to keep you addicted. 


Before I did anything rash, like chew my way 

through the doggie door, this condition subsided.

For me, it lasted a little longer than a week. 

Carrots are now my diversion of choice.