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Withdrawal Symptoms
When you quit using tobacco, your body will react to the lack of nicotine. This is called nicotine withdrawal. Common side effects of nicotine withdrawal are: cravings, difficulty concentrating, insomnia, depression, or feelings of anger, irritability, frustration, restlessness, or anxiety. These feelings will be strong at first, but they will gradually reduce the longer you stay quit.
Cravings
Cravings are caused by your body wanting nicotine. Cravings for tobacco begin within six to 12 hours after you quit and are the strongest during the first week. Generally you will have individual cravings that last 30 to 90 seconds. If you can delay the urge to use tobacco, the cravings will pass.
See Cravings for more information.
Difficulty Concentrating
Difficulty concentrating is one of the most common withdrawal symptoms. Quitting may “slow” the activity of different brain chemicals; this slowness may cause drowsiness or poor concentration. If this occurs, take a break to relax and refresh yourself. Do important tasks at those times of the day when you feel most alert.
See Difficulty Concentrating for more information.
Insomnia
While your sleep may be disturbed after you have quit using tobacco, you may actually spend more time sleeping. Sleep disturbances may occur during the first 48 hours after quitting, but your sleep will improve after the first week.
See Insomnia for more information.
Depression
Nicotine is a highly addictive drug. It acts as both a stimulant and a depressant, depending upon your mood and the time of day. It effects your mood by changing the levels of chemicals in your brain.
See Depression for more information.
Feelings of Anger, Irritability, Frustration, Restlessness, or Anxiety
When your body does not get nicotine, feelings of anger, irritability, frustration, restlessness, or anxiety may result. Again, these negative feelings may be due to changes in your brain chemistry. They generally begin during the first 24 hours, stay strong for one to two weeks, and disappear within a month.
See Irritability for more information.