If you are trying to give up smoking, you are probably curious to know how long does nicotine withdrawal last? The time for withdrawal of nicotine or the time period when the nicotine withdrawal effects are felt the most, are feared by people who are regular smokers and are trying to give up the habit. The time span for which a person suffers from the withdrawal signs of nicotine tends to vary from one person to another. Every sign of withdrawal - be it psychological or physical, varies in severity and time span for which a smoker suffers from it.
Physical Withdrawal Symptoms
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that quitting smoking makes the body suffer from cravings due to the absence of nicotine in the system, which the body has got habituated to. The smoker suffers from a wide range of physical symptoms due to the sudden absence of nicotine in the body, and these include:
- Constipation
- Cough
- Dry mouth
- Fatigue
- Gas
- Headaches
- Increased appetite
- Insomnia
- Post nasal drip
- Sore throat
- Sore tongue/gums
- Stomach pain
- Tightness in chest
These types of symptoms can manifest in only a few hours of smoking the last cigarette. To answer how long does nicotine withdrawal last physically, the problems can persist between a few days and a few weeks.
Psychological Withdrawal Symptoms
CDC has conducted enough research which suggests that the addictive properties of nicotine are not less than that of cocaine, heroin or alcohol. The system revolts against the absence of nicotine in the brain through major changes in behavior when smoking is stopped. Your body attempts to adjust itself emotionally and mentally to the lack of nicotine, and you might suffer from problems in concentration, irritability and anxiety. As your brain tries to cope with the lack of nicotine, you may find your psychological withdrawal symptoms to last for quite a few weeks.
Tips to Cope with Nicotine Withdrawal Symptoms
Now that you know how long does nicotine withdrawal last, you might be interested to know how to cope with the withdrawal symptoms. You can cope with the physical cravings by making some simple changes in your lifestyle. Keep a sugarless gum to chew on, whenever you feel the cravings. Use sliced fruits and vegetables to substitute the cigarettes. You can also keep a pen in your pocket to hold whenever you feel the inclination to hold a cigarette. Inform your family members and friends about your own decision to quit smoking, and request them not to smoke before you or urge you to smoke. You did not get habituated to smoking overnight, and you cannot expect the cravings to go away in a short time.
However, it is worth noting that the short span of discomfort is worth the health benefits that you can get by quitting smoking. If you are able to struggle and succeed through this testing time, you can expect yourself to be saved of many health problems at a later stage.
