Manage the Challenges of Quitting

Withdrawal

Nicotine in tobacco is addictive. When you quit, the level of nicotine drops in your body. Because of addiction, your body wants more nicotine. Withdrawal is the way your body reacts to not having the nicotine it’s gotten used to. Withdrawal feels different for every smoker.

Symptoms

• Intense cravings for nicotine
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Drowsiness or trouble sleeping
• Bad dreams or nightmares
• Feeling tense, restless, or frustrated
• Headaches
• Increased appetite and weight gain
• Problems concentrating

Symptoms can start within two to three hours after your last cigarette.

You can learn ways to manage withdrawal, and there are medications that can reduce the symptoms in the early weeks and months after you quit.