Nicotine Withdrawals

When quitting, almost all ex- smokers experience some type of nicotine withdrawals, often these withdrawals are enough to make a quitter go back to the habit. Here are some symptoms of what to expect, how long you may have to deal with those symptoms, and some management tools to use to get you through to the other side of nicotine withdrawal.

Symptoms

New ex-smokers can expect symptoms such as headache, increased coughing, nervousness and a strong urge to smoke. These are mostly due to the detoxifying of the body and the brain’s adjustment for the lack of nicotine in the system. The intensity of these and other symptoms may vary greatly depending on the amount of tobacco product used. These are not the only withdrawal symptoms that new quitters experience. Some other symptoms may include fatigue, weight gain, trouble sleeping and digestive issues, among other symptoms.

Timeline

Quitters can expect severe withdrawal symptoms to last approximately 2 to 6 weeks, although cravings can last much longer. At the 12 week mark, many ex-smokers start to become comfortable with their new lifestyle. As the brain re-adjusts its pathways to a pre-smoking state, it can send strong signals to smoke. It may help to keep a diary during this time to keep track of your successes. Keep it positive, and even if you slip and smoke, keeping up with your quitting diary may help you stay focused on kicking the habit. Some social media makes keeping a diary extremely easy, and if you choose this method you can share your successes and failures with friends who can support your efforts.

Management

Denying the brain it’s request for nicotine leads to a quicker recovery, however many ex-smokers choose to manage these cravings through smoking cessation, herbal remedies, nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) or craving management drugs such as Chantix. Smoking cessations does not introduce any new chemicals into the body, and is least likely to cause any new side effects. Herbal preparations are generally thought to be safe, but be sure you clear them with your doctor and a homeopath as well, as certain herbs are contra-indicated for people with certain conditions.

NRT, which replaces the nicotine your brain is craving, often has new side effects such as heart palpitations, strange dreams and dry mouth, among others. Depending on the type of NRT you choose, you may experience upset stomach, irritated throat or nasal passages, as well as other symptoms. NRT also has a chance of creating dependency on the drug, and may even increase your brain’s need for nicotine. Craving management drugs such as Chantix have a long list of possible side effects which include such things as deadly skin rashes and homicidal tendencies. Be sure to talk to your doctor about these possible side effects before starting any craving management therapy.

Resources:
http://whyquit.com/whyquit/A_Symptoms.html
http://www.quitsmokingsupport.com/withdrawal1.htm
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000953.htm