For many people, the fear of withdrawals is what keeps them from trying to quit smoking. They fear not knowing how long the withdrawals will last, what to expect, and will they be able to handle it. Don’t let these fears keep you from becoming a successful non-smoker. This article will cover these fears so you know what to expect.

What are withdrawals?

Your body has become addicted to nicotine and when you take it away, your body is going to react strongly. This reaction is what is referred to as a withdrawal.

Do withdrawals last very long?

The withdrawals will be strongest at first. You will have the most difficulty with them the first three to four days. After this time, they will gradually taper off and continue but not be as strong for the next two to three weeks.

When are withdrawals the worst?

Because you body is reacting to your taking the nicotine away, it is going to react the strongest during the first three to four days. During this time your body is getting rid of the majority of the nicotine and because you aren’t replacing it, you experience withdrawals. After these first few days, the withdrawals will become much more manageable and it will be easier to resist urges to smoke.

How do I handle the withdrawals?

The best way to handle any difficulty in life is by being prepared. This holds true for smoking and handling withdrawal symptoms too. Since you know you are going to experience withdrawals, plan ahead. When you are having strong symptoms try to be patient. Determine that you will not give in to the urge to smoke and wait for the urge to pass. Try taking small, relaxing breaths that imitate smoking. Take a deep, slow breath – hold it for a few seconds and then slowly release it.

Some other tips to try during withdrawals are to take a drink of water and hold it in your mouth for several seconds, get up and move around until the urge passes or have a list of activities that you can do when an urge to smoke hit you. Experiment and see what works for you, but the main thing is to have a plan and be prepared.

What are some of the most common withdrawal symptoms?

• Dizzy spells
• Coughing
• Dry throat
• Having sleeping problems
• Headaches
• Anger
• Irritability

What are withdrawals like?

Just like every person is different, each person will experience withdrawals in a different way. Withdrawals hit some people hard and they have a difficult time handling them and for others, withdrawals aren’t very noticeable.

Try to remember that even if you do have a bad experience with withdrawals, they won’t last long. By planning ahead and being prepared, before you know it, you will have made it through them and have become a successful non-smoker.

Jason Ladock

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