When you stop smoking, you may start experiencing withdrawal symptoms, such as craving tobacco. Tobacco itself is not what causes addiction but, instead, an ingredient in the tobacco plant known as nicotine.
Other common withdrawal symptoms include feeling irritable and difficulty concentrating.
Several medications and strategies can help you manage your withdrawal symptoms and successfully quit smoking.
1. Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT)
Nicotine is a chemical found in the tobacco plant that is highly addictive. NRT can help relieve your tobacco cravings by reducing withdrawal symptoms. Several types of NRT are available, which offer rapid or slow releases of nicotine in your body.
Slow-releasing NRT relies on nicotine patches, while rapid delivery products consist of chewing gums, nasal sprays, medicated sweets, and inhalers.
2. Behavioral counseling
Combining behavioral counseling with medical treatment can increase the success rate of quitting smoking compared with behavioral intervention only. This usually includes regular follow-up visits with counselors alongside NRT.
Counseling can include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) sessions, which may help you:
- understand what triggers your need to smoke
- learn techniques and strategies to help prevent relapses
- learn ways to manage your cravings when they occur
Another part of behavioral counseling includes motivational interviewing. This involves exploring your goals and motivation to make lifestyle changes while pinpointing what may be stopping you from achieving your goals and how you can improve.
3. FDA-approved medications
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved several medications to treat nicotine addiction, which can help people quit smoking.
FDA-approved medications to use as smoking cessation aids include bupropion (Bupropion SR) and varenicline (Chantix).
Taking bupropion alongside NRT may increase the success of quitting smoking from 11% to 19%. Bupropion can help you quit smoking by reducing the effect of nicotine and providing relief when you experience cravings.
Varenicline works by reducing your withdrawal symptoms and reducing nicotine cravings. This medication is particularly effective in helping people quit smoking, increasing smoking cessation from 12% to 28%. However, the FDA has added a warning for this medication as it can cause mood changes, depression, and suicidal behavior.
If you or someone you know is considering suicide or self-harm, please seek support:
- Call or text the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline 24 hours a day at 988.
- Text “HOME” to the Crisis Textline at 741741.
- Not in the U.S.? Find a helpline in your country with Befrienders Worldwide.
- Call 911 or your local emergency number if you feel it’s an emergency.
While you wait for help to arrive, stay with someone and remove any weapons or substances that can cause harm. You are not alone.
4. Finding support
Several organizations and groups offer support and resources to people who are trying to quit smoking:
- The National Cancer Institute (NIH) offers a live support chat.
- The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) runs a free helpline available in English and Spanish at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
- The American Lung Association offers group and individual online support groups.
It may also be helpful to speak with a smoking cessation counselor who can provide information and support about what steps you can take to start your journey. They can also help you find a local support group.
5. Stress management
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) reported that practicing mindfulness meditation and other relaxation techniques to lower and manage stress can help people who are trying to quit smoking.
The efficacy of meditation in people trying to stop smoking was comparable to those of conventional counseling programs.
If you’re trying to stop smoking, consider adding mindful practices into your daily routine, such as:
- meditation
- gratitude journaling
- yoga
6. E-cigarettes
The use of e-cigarettes (vapes) containing nicotine may help you quit smoking at a similar rate to nicotine patches. However, more research is needed to understand the long-term effects of e-cigarettes.
What to expect when you quit smoking
The side effects that people experience after they stop smoking can vary. However, almost everyone experiences the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal at some point. This occurs when your brain stops receiving the nicotine intake you used to get from smoking, triggering a craving for tobacco.
Some withdrawal symptoms you may experience when you quit smoking include:
- feeling restless or jumpy
- feeling irritated, upset, or grouchy
- having tobacco cravings
- difficulties concentrating
- trouble sleeping
- having food cravings
- gaining weight
- experiencing anxiety, sadness, or depression
If your withdrawal symptoms are affecting your day-to-day life, consider speaking with a healthcare professional. They can suggest treatment options and lifestyle measures that can help relieve symptoms.
Summary
When you stop smoking, you may start experiencing withdrawal symptoms, such as craving tobacco, insomnia, and difficulty concentrating.
Several strategies can help relieve withdrawal symptoms and support you during your journey. A combination of NRT, behavioral counseling, and support group meetings can help you quit smoking successfully.
If you need help covering the cost of medications, the free Optum Perks Discount Card could help you save up to 80% on prescription drugs. Follow the links on drug names for savings on that medication, or search for a specific drug here.
