Withdrawal from nicotine, an addictive drug found in tobacco, is
characterized by symptoms that include headache, anxiety, nausea and a
craving for more tobacco.
Nicotine creates a chemical dependency, so that the body develops a need
for a certain level of nicotine at all times. Unless that level is
maintained, the body will begin to go through withdrawal.
For tobacco users trying to quit, symptoms of withdrawal from nicotine are
unpleasant and stressful, but temporary.Almost all people who try to
quit have some form of nicotine withdrawal. Generally, the longer one has
been a smoker and the more nicotine and higher number of cigarettes
consumed, the more likely it is that withdrawal symptoms will occur and
the more severe they are likely to be.
Furthermore, people who are regular smokers (smoke at regular times
each day) will tend to have particularly strong cravings and exacerbation
of withdrawal symptoms at times and in places or situations where they
usually smoke.
Most withdrawal symptoms peak 48 hours after you quit and are
completely gone in six months. But even after that you may still have to
deal with the fact that you are probably eating more than you did as a
smoker and may need to lose some weight.
In active tobacco users, a lack of nicotine produces a wide range of
withdrawal symptoms, including any or all of the following:
- Headache.
- Nausea.
- Constipation or diarrhea.
- Falling heart rate and blood pressure.
- Fatigue, drowsiness and insomnia.
- Irritability.
- Difficulty concentrating.
- Anxiety.
- Depression.
- Increased hunger and caloric intake.
- Increased pleasantness of the taste of sweets.
There are several strategies for treating nicotine withdrawal. Nicotine
supplementation in the form of gum or patch can be helpful. A variety of
other psychopharmacological agents have also been used with some success
in maintaining abstinence and reducing withdrawal symptoms from nicotine.
These agents include clonidine; antidepressants, particularly fluoxetine
(Prozac); and buspirone (Buspar). Bupropion (Zyban) was approved in 1996
by the Food and Drug Administration as a treatment for nicotine
dependence.
Using buproprion or nicotine replacement therapies alone doubles the odds
of successful quitting and using a combination of these methods increases
success rates even more.
Buproprion and other antidepressants are not habit-forming, and since
nicotine withdrawal can increase the odds of depression, and can help
reduce this possibility.
Since nicotine itself has antidepressant effects and many smokers
unknowingly smoke to self-medicate depression, use of such medications can
be particularly helpful for such people.
A screening for depression may be useful as well to ensure proper
treatment and increase the odds of maintaining abstinence.
People trying to quit smoking often become discouraged when they don't
succeed at first. Research shows that the more times you try, the more
likely you are to succeed -- so don't give up!
Prognosis
Nicotine withdrawal is short lived and should pass on its own. While
withdrawal is the most uncomfortable part of quitting, the real challenge
is beating cravings in the long run and staying abstinent.
Complications
The most likely complication will be a return to smoking. Weight gain due
to increased eating also can occur. This is much less unhealthy than
continuing to smoke and those with concerns about weight should address
them while quitting so that they do not undermine their attempts to stay
away from cigarettes.
Calling your health care provider
See your health care provider if you wish to stop smoking, or have already
done so and are experiencing withdrawal symptoms. Your provider can help
provide treatments, some of which are only available by prescription.
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