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Smoking withdrawal, better knowing as nicotine withdrawal symptoms, is a reaction of the body to the lack of nicotine that it is used to having. Anyone that quits smoking can expect to experience smoking withdrawal for at least a week or two, and sometimes longer. Being ready to deal with these physical difficulties is a huge asset that can help you overcome the symptoms and eventually succeed in your "quit".
Nicotine is a toxin and stimulant. Like it does with cocaine or any other hard drug, the body becomes dependent on having certain levels of nicotine present at all times. In fact, many studies have shown that quitting nicotine is as hard, or harder than quitting Cocaine or Heroin. How does it work?
Once nicotine reaches the brain, the brain releases substances called dopamine and adrenalin. Dopamine gives us a feeling of well being. By way of comparison, It is the same exact process and feeling that runners experience after a particularly grueling run. This feeling has often been described as "runners high".
These artificial releases of chemicals become the "new normal" but they are completely predicated on the presence of nicotine. The body sees any change to the "new normal" as a threat. Smoking withdrawal can be seen as a mechanism to force you to take in nicotine. It is imperative that you understand this. Just like your body triggers your sense of thirst when it needs water, it will trigger your craving for cigarettes when it needs nicotine.
It takes the body about 72 hours to be rid of nicotine. From the moment you quit, your cravings and smoking withdrawal symptoms will increase in intensity and eventually peak at around the 72 hour mark. Unfortunately, they will not go away, because the psychological dependency on nicotine is still present. It will take weeks for your body and mind to adjust.
So now that we know that the body will fight smoking cessation with everything it has, what can you do to ease the suffering?
- Be Mentally Prepared: Now that you know the process and know what to expect, you must ready yourself and prepare for a tough fight. Keep in mind that the cravings that come from smoking withdrawal only last for 5 minutes at a time. All you need to do is outlast each and every one of them. Take it one day at a time or even better, one craving at a time.
- Get Support: Talk to your family and your co-workers. Explain that you are in the process of quitting and that you may need their patience and understanding while you go through smoking withdrawal. Believe me, you will have moments when you have little patience and when your temper may flare up at the smallest provocation.
- Exercise: Easier said than done, especially if you have been a long term smoker. But this is very important. Remember the release of Dopamine? You can trigger that same release by walking or running. In fact, any physical activity will release this chemical. It's a bit healthier to trigger the release by exercising rather than by inhaling 250 chemicals.
Smoking withdrawal will happen each time you quit. Understand why and how it happens will help you to successfully quit smoking. Remember that the malaise will reach a peak after a few days, but then it will gradually diminish until it is gone forever. The ultimate goal is well worth it though. Keep that in mind at all times.
