Nicotine Addiction
Nicotine Addiction & Withdrawal
Physical addiction
What is it?
All tobacco has nicotine in it. It doesn’t matter if it is in cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco, or vaping products. Nicotine is a very addictive chemical. Within seconds of entering your body, the nicotine goes to your brain. Right away you feel good. But this only lasts a short time.
Nicotine changes your brain. You need more nicotine to get the same good feeling. This is why most people who smoke do so every day. It becomes part of your routine.
Some common signs of physical addiction:
- You lose control over when and how much you smoke.
- You keep smoking even though you know that it is harmful to yourself and others.
- You start to feel trapped by smoking.
- You get stressed when you run out of tobacco. Buying more is the only way to relieve that stress.
- You feel withdrawal symptoms when you stop smoking.
- You have tried to quit several times with limited success.
Psychological addiction
What is it?
When tobacco use becomes part of your daily routine, you have a psychological addiction. You need to change your routines to break this addiction.
Some common signs of psychological addiction:
- You connect smoking with common activities like drinking coffee or alcohol.
- You smoke at certain times like breaks at school or work, or after a meal.
- You smoke around certain people.
- You enjoy the ritual of smoking or vaping.
Nicotine addiction withdrawal
You cannot avoid nicotine withdrawal. This is your body healing from nicotine addiction. Withdrawal is different for everyone. It depends on your routines. Withdrawal can begin within 30 minutes after your last cigarette.
Symptoms are at their worst 2 to 3 days after you quit. Some can last a few weeks. Some people have symptoms for a few months.
A common symptom of nicotine withdrawal is depression. If you feel down or lonely after more than 2 weeks, talk to someone. You may have depression. Depression occurs most often in people who have had it in the past.
These are some common symptoms of nicotine withdrawal:
- anxiety or nervousness
- tobacco cravings
- constipation or upset stomach
- depression
- difficulty concentrating
- fatigue or feeling like you have less energy
- headaches
- increased appetite
- increased coughing
- insomnia
- irritability, frustration, or anger
- restlessness
- tremors, shaking or trembling that you cannot control
There are only 2 things that will relieve these symptoms:
- more nicotine
- time without nicotine
A common symptom of nicotine withdrawal is depression. If you feel down or lonely after more than 2 weeks, talk to someone. You may have depression. Depression occurs most often in people who have had it in the past.
