Physical and emotional withdrawal symptoms plague people who try to quit smoking. The intense symptoms often bring smokers back to smoking. People who smoke over a long period of time and smoke a great number of cigarettes a day have tougher withdrawal symptoms than beginners or casual smokers. The physical effects from the addiction to nicotine accompany emotional symptoms associated with certain times or situations when a person has regularly smoked.
Function
The major symptoms usually stem from nicotine, the addictive ingredient in tobacco products. Inhaled smoke is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream and goes throughout the body, eventually reaching the brain. This brings the smoker pleasurable feelings because nicotine acts as a depressant to block information between nerve cells. A few minutes after the last cigarette, the smoker wants more of the pleasurable effects and soon develops a tolerance to nicotine, the American Cancer Society explains. Smoking increases until the smoker reaches a desired level smoked each day. The addiction sets withdrawal symptoms in motion when smoking stops.
Benefits
Despite its hazardous potential, nicotine offers smokers some positive results, according to MedlinePlus. It may boost the mood to reduce anxiety during stressful periods. Smokers depend on nicotine for stimulation of memory or alertness during certain tasks or to relieve boredom. Smoking may also help suppress the appetite by acting as a substitute for food. Smokers can become emotionally attached to these positive factors.
Effects
When a smoker decides to quit, the physical withdrawal symptoms can begin within several hours and may peak two or three days later. The brain has become used to its regular dose of nicotine and sends signals that it needs more of it. This results in intense cravings for the drug. Symptoms may include anxiety, impatience, frustration, anger and difficulty concentrating, Medline Plus notes. Drowsiness and trouble sleeping often haunt people trying to quit. Other symptoms may include headaches, irritability or depression.
Considerations
Counseling, smoking cessation programs or support groups help many smokers get through the withdrawal symptoms. Workplaces, community centers, treatment centers and local organizations may offer counseling and support programs. Nicotine replacement therapy has also proven to be successful for many ex-smokers. The nicotine replacements include gum, patches, inhalers or nasal sprays. The therapy gives people small doses of nicotine to deal with the physical cravings while focusing more attention on the emotional issues facing people trying to quit smoking. The physical symptoms may pass in a few days, but smokers still need to concentrate on emotional triggers.
Substitution
Avoiding people and places associated with smoking becomes an important part of emotional withdrawal during the quitting process. Finding new places where smoking does not take place helps reduce reminders for ex-smokers. Defense mechanisms also include chewing gum or hard candy, munching on celery or carrot sticks, and using toothpicks or cinnamon sticks as oral substitutes for cigarettes. The American Cancer Society recommends exercise to reduce stress often linked to smoking and to feel healthier and avoid the temptations of smoking tied to emotional attachment.
