I have helped a number of patients quit smoking. Let me break it down to 2 parts. The psychological component and the physical component.
The psychological component of smoking usually breaks down to two things, and that's stress and habit. Most people will turn to a cigarette during times of stress to settle nerves, provide a little increase in mental acuity and take a time out (smoke break). Learning other coping behaviors that are healthier, such as deep breathing, meditation, prayer, etc that can provide stress relief are helpful. I've used ear acupuncture to help my patients as well. Breaking the habit is the next big thing, which by your cold turkey method you have already done. People that are trying to quit it helps to put the cigarettes in the trunk if they are used to smoking in the car. If they smoke in the house, then put them outside. Whatever it takes to break the automatic behavior around smoking.
The physical component. The number of nicotine receptors in your brain increased during the time you were smoking. If you remember back at first you could have 1 or 2 cigarettes and feel the effects for hours. Then as you smoked more frequently it became 5 or 6 cigarettes to feel the same effect. And you luckily topped out at 8-10 cigarettes a day. Over the next several years your brain will be recycling and cannibalizing of those receptor sites. In the four years I worked in the addiction clinic the doctor I worked for taught me that he would see cycles that at 6 months, then 1 year, then 2 years, then 3 years, the cravings would suddenly come back for a few weeks, maybe a month, then go away again. His advice, stay strong, remember why you quit before you pick up that cigarette and ask yourself, "is this really what I want to do with my life?"
Good luck with staying on track. Smoking is a tough one to quit, but it is probably the single most negative health behavior in our society.
ps. you can also get some anti-smoking herbal formulas, they contain Lobelia, which has a chemical ingredient called Lobeline which attaches to nicotine receptors, If you are taking lobelia and smoke then you will get nauseous and maybe vomit.
