Nicotine is the addictive chemical found in tobacco, and, according to Smoke free.gov, nicotine has an adverse effect on your brain and other body parts. Smoking withdrawal is the change your body goes through when you stop the use of nicotine. Anyone thinking about quitting smoking should know more about the symptoms of smoking withdrawal, which will help better prepare them for the generally uncomfortable effects of quitting.
Significance
According to the U.S. Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine, a smoker's body craves nicotine because nicotine has the characteristics of cocaine and amphetamines in that is increases body activities such as the rate at which the heart beats, the rate at which you breathe and your blood pressure. This habit-forming drug invigorates the body for about 20 minutes, but afterwards, the body craves more nicotine so it can feel the same stimulating effects. The severity of smoking withdrawal symptoms is usually in accordance with how dependent the smoker is on nicotine. Nicotine remains in the blood stream for up to 72 hours.
Symptoms of Smoking Withdrawal
The symptoms involved with smoking withdrawal will vary from person to person. The craving for cigarettes is one symptom many smokers must deal with. Other symptoms include depression, sleeping problems, poor mental clarity, a slowdown in heart rate and eating more. Smoking withdrawal also brings on symptoms of tension and nervousness. Some people who go through smoking withdrawal find they have a short temper. The height of the effects felt when the intake of nicotine is stopped occurs in the first 24 to 48 hours. It takes about a week or more for serious symptoms to lessen.
Considerations
According to The Surgeon General's 1990 Report on the Health Benefits of Smoking Cessation Executive Summary---Preface, posted by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, many find smoking withdrawal hard to handle and abandon their plan to quit smoking as a result. Medications available to help with withdrawal symptoms include nicotine gum, inhaler, lozenges, bupropion SR pills and varenicline pills and a patch containing nicotine. A prescription is needed to purchase nicotine inhaler, spray, bupropion SR pills and varenicline pills. Support groups that help with withdrawal symptoms can be located through a hospital, health center, or health department in your area if you need help. You can also get help with smoking withdrawal on line and over the phone, but seeing a counselor every week and getting help on line and over the phone will help you the most. Medical insurance covers treatment for smoking withdrawal, and some clinics cover the cost of treatment.
Warning
According to Smoke free.gov, people who smoke are more prone to depression than people who do not smoke. You should seek help for depression if you are always unhappy, feel uninterested in fun things, are uneasy, irritable, having thoughts of dying or harming yourself, if you have a problem sleeping, if you have a problem focusing on your thoughts, if your eating habits have changed, or if you have low self-esteem. Consult with your doctor, family and friends if you experience symptoms of depression.
Benefits
According to Smoke free.gov, the most favorable thing you can do to improve your health is to stop smoking. The Surgeon General's 1990 Report on the Health Benefits of Smoking Cessation Executive Summary---Preface, posted by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, states after having stopped smoking for a long time, people who quit smoking have more pride in themselves and are better able to control themselves. The most significant benefits after quitting smoking include heightened sense of taste and smell, a decreased feeling of worry, an increase in energy, better looking skin, fresher breath and better body odor since the smell of smoke is gone.
