Everything You Need To Know About Nicotine Withdrawal

 

Nicotine is an addictive substance found in various forms of tobacco and which causes about 80-90% of smokers to be hooked. When one quits smoking, their body adjusts to the shortage of this substance. Unable to handle how they feel after quitting, most people relapse to smoking after about a week.

Nicotine Withdrawal Symptoms

This is usually different for each smoker. Common signs include feelings of restlessness, irritability and sadness, difficulty in concentration, slower heart rate and lack of sleep. These can be managed and overcome successfully with the help of medication and behavioral changes. It's important to note that most of these issues, cravings included, will be less of a problem with each day of nicotine abstinence.

The cravings usually last longer than other withdrawal symptoms, something which is attributable to reminders of smoking. There are many places, people and things that could be categorized here. It's thus important to properly plan on handling cravings whenever they hit.

Risks

Despite the discomfort and high level of symptoms, nicotine withdrawal doesn't carry any health risk. Even the most extreme symptoms will disappear in about a week. Nevertheless, one should watch out if they experience prolonged feelings of sadness, especially if they've suffered from depression.

Medication for Withdrawal

Medicines could help one increase their chances of quitting smoking for good. However, effort is still required to overcome cravings as the medicines don't do all the work. Some examples of nicotine replacement therapy medication include gum, patches, inhalers, sprays and lozenges.

One could purchase gum, lozenges and patches without a prescription, which is usually required for nasal sprays and inhalers. Expectant ladies and those planning on it should consult a doctor before using any of these things. It would still be advisable to consult a dentist because the substances are known to cause side effects.

Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) should only be embarked on when one is ready to quit smoking. When starting out, one should use the full amount as instructed. As time goes, they can gradually reduce the amount and number of times they use the medication per day. A doctor could be of help in setting up an appropriate NRT schedule.