Nicotine withdrawal
When people use tobacco products on a regular basis, their bodies develop a need for nicotine. If they don't get nicotine, they start having nicotine withdrawal symptoms.
Withdrawal symptoms and cravings for nicotine vary from person to person. They often depend on how much nicotine a person is used to getting. The more nicotine the body is used to, the more severe symptoms are likely to be.
Symptoms of withdrawal include feeling:
- Restless.
- Irritated.
- Angry.
- Anxious.
- Sad or depressed.
- Hungrier than usual.
People going through withdrawal may find it hard to:
- Sleep.
- Deal with stress.
- Concentrate.
Nicotine withdrawal symptoms usually begin about 24 hours after a person quits smoking or using tobacco products. Symptoms are the worst between 24 and 48 hours after the person quits. They can last from a few days to 4 weeks. The average length of time a person deals with withdrawal symptoms is 3 to 4 weeks. The craving for cigarettes and increased appetite can last for months.
Treatment for nicotine withdrawal includes medications, counseling or support groups, a nutritious diet, and regular exercise.
| Author | Jeannette Curtis |
| Author | Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS |
| Editor | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS |
| Editor | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA |
| Associate Editor | Tracy Landauer |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
| Last Updated | May 25, 2007 |
WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise