More than 440,000 people die of smoking-related deaths in the United States each year. According to the American Cancer Society, cigarettes are responsible for more "deaths than alcohol, car accidents, suicide, AIDS, homicide and illegal drugs combined." Cigarettes contain numerous chemicals, tars and nicotine, the latter being as addictive as heroin or cocaine. Nicotine withdrawal is one of the reasons smokers have difficulty quitting. The American Cancer Society states that withdrawal symptoms are both physical and mental.
Physical Effects
Withdrawal symptoms can occur within a couple of hours of the last cigarette, and usually peak about two to three days later. The American Cancer Society states that these symptoms can last for a few days or up to several weeks. Symptoms include dizziness, depression, feelings of frustration, anger and impatience, anxiety, irritability, sleep disturbances, trouble concentrating, restlessness, headaches, increased appetite, weight gain and cough. These symptoms will improve with time, and there are also medications that can help with the physical side effects of quitting smoking.
Mental Effects
Quitting smoking requires making serious behavioral changes. Many smokers have certain triggers that prompt them to light up. Activities such as driving a car, drinking a cup of coffee or having an alcoholic drink; smoking after a meal, certain friends and other cues signal the brain that it is time for a cigarette. Some people note that when they quit smoking they don't know what to do with their hands. Others find that they constantly need something in their mouth. These behaviors are responsive to behavioral modification programs. The American Cancer Society states that the more intense the smoking cessation program is, the better the chances of success.
Other Symptoms
The American Cancer Society recommends that smokers talk to their doctors when they quit smoking. The body handles medications differently when smokers quit, and prescriptions may need to be changed. The stress of quitting can also leave a former smoker feeling fatigued, constipated and have flu-like symptoms. Some smokers become worried over the amount of thick green or dark-colored mucus they cough up initially, but this is normal after quitting smoking.
