Nicotine Withdrawl

When smokers try to cut back or quit, the absence of nicotine leads to withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal is both physical and mental. Physically, the body reacts to the absence of nicotine. Psychologically, the smoker is faced with giving up a habit, which requires a major change in behavior. Both must be addressed in order for the quitting process to work.

Withdrawal symptoms can include any of the following:

• dizziness (which may only last 1-2 days in the beginning)
• depression
• feelings of frustration and anger
• irritability
• sleep disturbances, including having trouble falling asleep, staying asleep and having bad dreams or even nightmares
• trouble concentrating
• restlessness
• headache
• tiredness
• increased appetite

These symptoms can lead the smoker to again start smoking cigarettes again to boost blood levels of nicotine back to a level where there are no symptoms.

If a person has smoked regularly for a few weeks or longer and abruptly stops using tobacco or greatly reduces the amount smoked, withdrawal symptoms will occur. Symptoms usually start within a few hours of the last cigarette and peak about 2 to 3 days later. Withdrawal symptoms can last for a few days to several weeks.