Nicotine Withdrawal: What To Expect

Making the decision to quit smoking is one of the best things you can do for your health and your way of life. Smoking is addictive, and you will suffer some form of nicotine withdrawal. Sometimes the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal can be too much, and you fall off the wagon. That’s okay.

Medmate wants to give you a guide to what nicotine withdrawal symptoms are like, how long they can last and what you can expect. It’s a battle for some, and it’s a battle well worth winning.

If you are struggling with your attempt at giving up smoking, you can call us for some help. Our phones are open 9 am to 9 pm, seven days a week.

What Are Nicotine Withdrawals

Nicotine withdrawals are physiological and psychological symptoms suffered by a person when they abruptly stop using nicotine products, typically cigarettes. They occur due to the body’s dependence on nicotine, which alters brain chemistry.

Physical symptoms can include cravings, headaches and increased appetite. Psychological symptoms can include anxiety, mood swings and difficulty concentrating.

How Long Do Nicotine Withdrawals Last?

The severity and time frame for nicotine withdrawal differs from person to person. Some people can go ‘cold turkey’ with very few withdrawal symptoms at all. Others suffer so badly that they take up smoking again.

Understanding how your body reacts to withdrawal is part of the process of making a successful quitting strategy from smoking. It can take someone multiple goes to finally crack it, and that’s okay.

In general, the acute phase of withdrawal, where the most intense symptoms can occur, lasts for 1-3 weeks.

Symptoms can linger for a few more weeks, and even surprise you months after you’ve quit. While physical cravings will subside, psychological ones can be with you for some time.

Finding support for you during your quitting journey helps when the psychological symptoms revisit you.

What Are The Symptoms Of Nicotine Withdrawal?

Here is a list of both physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms you can experience when quitting smoking.

Physical Withdrawal Symptoms

• Intense cravings for nicotine
• Headaches
• Increased appetite
• Irritability and mood swings
• Fatigue and tiredness
• Sleep disturbances, such as insomnia or vivid dreams
• Digestive issues, like constipation or upset stomach
• Increased coughing
• Dry mouth
• Sweating and chills
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Muscle aches and pains
• Tremors or shakiness
• Changes in heart rate or blood pressure (sometimes)

Not everyone will experience all of these symptoms, and each person will experience them at different intensities. Seek help from professionals to support you through this.

Psychological Withdrawal Symptoms

• Anxiety or increased nervousness
• Difficulty concentrating or focusing
• Restlessness or agitation
• Mood swings and emotional instability
• Depression or feelings of sadness
• Increased irritability and frustration
• Impatience and decreased tolerance to stress
• Changes in appetite and eating patterns (related to emotional triggers)
• Insomnia or disrupted sleep patterns
• Cravings and thoughts about smoking or nicotine use
• Feeling a sense of loss or emptiness without nicotine
• Reduced sense of pleasure or satisfaction in daily activities

Again, not everyone will suffer the same symptoms or with the same intensity. Always seek help from medical professionals if they get too much.

Quit Smoking Timeline

Here is a typical nicotine withdrawal timeline of symptoms when you quit smoking. Your symptoms may last longer or shorter, of course.

Day 1:

• You may feel Intense cravings for nicotine..
• Physical symptoms like irritability, restlessness, and increased appetite may be noticeable.

Day 3:

• Nicotine withdrawal symptoms peak around this time.
• Physical symptoms can include headaches, difficulty concentrating, and heightened irritability.

Day 7:

• Many of the acute physical withdrawal symptoms begin to subside.
• Breathing may become easier as lung function begins to improve.

 2 Weeks:

• Physical improvements continue as the body starts to heal itself.
• Sense of taste and smell become sharper.
• Energy levels may increase.

1 Month:

• Physical symptoms of withdrawal will have mostly subsided.
• Breathing and lung function continue to improve.
• Your overall sense of well-being may begin to improve.

6 Months:

• Breathing significantly improves, and lung function continues to recover.
• Coughing and shortness of breath decrease noticeably.
• The risk of smoking-related heart disease starts to decline.

What Treatments Are Available To Help Me Quit?

There are many different forms of treatment you can seek to help you on your quitting journey. Some include medications; others include mindfulness and relaxation.

• Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT): NRT provides controlled doses of nicotine to help reduce withdrawal symptoms. It comes in various forms, such as nicotine patches, gum, lozenges, nasal sprays, and inhalers.
• Prescription Medications: There are medications available, such as Bupropion (Zyban) and Varenicline (Varenapix), which can help reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms. These medications work differently, so it’s essential to consult a healthcare professional to determine the most suitable option. An online prescription can be obtained through the Quitmate website.
• Nicotine Vaping Therapy: Vaping is another term for an e-cigarette. The vape is a battery powered device that contains a liquid. Vaping liquids can contain nicotine for use as nicotine replacement as part of a smoking cessation program. Vaping is significantly more effective than nicotine replacement therapy.  The difference between smoking and vaping is that smoking delivers nicotine by burning tobacco. Smoking is dangerous as the toxins produced by burning tobacco damage your body and cause lethal smoking related illnesses. Vaping delivers nicotine by heating a liquid in a less harmful way. Vaping is a safer alternative than smoking cigarettes. Vaping is not harmless, but it is much less harmful than smoking. Vaping is at least 95% safer than smoking according to the Royal College of Physicians. This estimate is based on independent reviews of the scientific evidence by both Public Health England and the UK Royal College of Physicians. 

   “Although it is not possible to precisely quantify the long-term health risks associated with e-cigarettes, the available data suggest that they are unlikely to exceed 5% of those associated with smoked tobacco products and may well be substantially lower than this figure – Royal College of Physicians”. 

  Most of the dangerous toxins in cigarette smoke are not present in vapor. When smokers switch to vaping, levels of toxins and carcinogens measured in the blood, saliva and urine (‘biomarkers’) are substantially lower and for many toxins are the same as for a non-smoker. The risk of cancer from vaping has been independently estimated to be <0.5% of the risk from smoking. 

  Switching from cigarettes to vaping is a way to immediately minimise harm. An online prescription can be obtained through the Quitmate website (if clinically indicated).

• Behavioural Therapy: Counseling or behavioural therapy can be effective in addressing the psychological aspects of quitting. Behavioural interventions can help individuals develop coping strategies, identify triggers, and modify habits associated with smoking.
• Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques: Practicing mindfulness, deep breathing exercises, or meditation can help manage stress and reduce the urge to smoke.
• Acupuncture: Some individuals find acupuncture helpful in managing nicotine cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
• Motivational Interviewing: This counselling technique focuses on increasing a person’s motivation to quit and building confidence in their ability to do so.

Talk To A Doctor Today!

Quitting smoking is not easy. It can take someone multiple efforts to succeed, and that is okay. The fact that you want to is a huge first step. By understanding the withdrawal symptoms, knowing what to expect, and where to find help, you can make the job so much easier.

If you want to talk about quitting and discuss all the options available to you, why not Talk to a Doctor, thanks to Medmate?