Nicotine withdrawal syndrome: side effects of fighting a bad habit. Withdrawal syndrome of a smoker

The subject of attention modern society often becomes a problem of smoking. New laws should protect non-smokers from the influence of unhealthy habits. But what about those who already smoke? Quitting is not as easy as it seems. And it's not just about addiction. The smoker's body itself "resists" the release of the problem. This is due to the nicotine withdrawal syndrome.

General concepts of smoking cessation syndrome

SOC (short name of the syndrome) manifests itself after nicotine withdrawal in long-term smokers. It causes both negative sensations due to changes in habits (in social life, the sensation of the taste of tobacco), and abstinence - the deterioration of the state of all systems human body due to lack of nicotine in the body. Symptoms of nicotine withdrawal range from mild to very severe requiring hospital treatment.

Everyone knows that when smoking a person significantly shortens his life.

Consider the main features of this pathology:

The effect of nicotine on the smoker.

Nicotine is a substance from the group of alkaloids such as caffeine or capsaicin (found in hot pepper). When it enters the body, it causes cheerfulness, an imaginary surge of strength due to the release of endorphins (hormones of joy) and adrenaline. A person, while smoking, feels good, and when he quits, he begins to experience stress. The body gets used to the stimulating effect and cannot cope with the load itself. The second danger is endorphins. They contribute to the “pleasure effect” of smoking, which makes quitting even more difficult.

When does nicotine withdrawal manifest itself?

SOC appears as soon as the level of nicotine in the blood decreases - after an hour or two. The severity of symptoms depends on the length of smoking.

How long does a nicotine withdrawal last?

The duration of the syndrome depends on the patient himself. May take 1-3 weeks to remove acute symptoms up to 2-5 months to bring the body into full order.

Not all heavy smokers are able to quit smoking easily.

How is withdrawal syndrome diagnosed?

Except general diagnostics physical condition psychic research is carried out according to the form F17.3. To make a diagnosis, you need the presence of any two symptoms from the list.

Clinical picture of nicotine withdrawal

The consequences of nicotine withdrawal for the patient's well-being are, of course, palpable. Allocate such clinical manifestations this phenomenon:

craving for smoking or other nicotine intake;
causeless anxiety and irritation;
headache and increased pressure;
discomfort in the region of the heart;
inability to concentrate, various forms of tremor;
complaints of shortness of breath, constant suffocation;
strong sweating, weakness;
an allergic reaction to something;
exacerbation or appearance of cough;
"jamming" of cigarettes and intestinal problems.

Nicotine withdrawal syndrome is an insidious pathology. Symptoms do not appear sharply, without any particular peaks and dips. But you can divide them into certain stages:

The consequences of nicotine withdrawal for the patient's body

With an untimely visit to a doctor and the absence of appropriate therapy, the patient may experience problems with the body:

The cardiovascular system. There is a violation of the rhythm of the heart, there are problems with the patency of blood vessels, spasms of veins and capillaries.
Problems with metabolism. The patient loses control of his weight and appetite.
Digestive system. There is irritation of the intestinal walls, a weakening of the activity of smooth muscles, ulcers appear in the mouth.
Respiratory system - increased existing or chronic diseases of the respiratory system (bronchitis, tracheitis, inflammation of the nasopharynx).

Treatment of nicotine withdrawal syndrome

Depending on the severity of the symptoms, treatment can take place both in the hospital and at home. The second is acceptable only when the symptoms do not cause any concern, but even in this situation it is worth contacting a specialist.

Medical treatment for withdrawal

There are several basic methods for helping with smoking cessation syndrome. Not all of them are equally effective, but each has adherents:

Nicotine replacement therapy. Treatment is based on replacing smoking with nicotine obtained in a different way. Nicorette belongs to this group. The drug is available in the form of chewing gum, skin patches, and lozenges. For some time, injections of 30% nicotine have been in use, the usefulness of which has proven controversial. Such therapy is productive, rather, as an auxiliary than as a main treatment.
Treatment with nicotinic receptor agonists. Active ingredients in drugs - alkaloids with an effect similar to nicotine. These are: cytisine, anabasine, lobelin, pilocarpine. Preparations of this group: Tabex, Champex, Lobelin, Cytisine. They are issued in different forms- tablets, drops, chewing gum and in the form of a biosoluble film. These funds are very effective, but they should be used only under the supervision of the attending physician, as there are contraindications.
Complex treatment. In this case, the use of tranquilizers, such as Wellbutrin and Zyban, is added to the above methods. The inclusion of these drugs in the process significantly increases the resistance to nicotine addiction and improves the cure rate. Such medicines are used only under medical supervision, self-medication can be dangerous.
Separately, there is a group of funds aimed at rejecting nicotine by the body. This is a solution of silver nitrate or blue vitriol, emetine, tannin. These drugs cause discomfort in the patient when smoking, but they are inconvenient to use and ineffective against nicotine withdrawal.

Many ex-smokers use nicotine replacement therapy to alleviate negative symptoms.

Relief of smoking cessation symptoms at home

You won’t be able to treat nicotine withdrawal at home - for this you need qualified help specialist prescribing procedures and medical devices.

But you should not rely only on someone, because everyone can help themselves to fight against bad habit And mild symptoms JUICE :

Smoking cravings can be reduced by drinking a glass of water slowly or doing some simple exercise.
To control appetite and overweight try not to buy sweets and lean on vegetables. Nuts and raisins are not suitable for snacking, as they are very high in calories. It is also important to eat with pleasure, tasty and healthy.
Constant fatigue will leave you after walking on fresh air- Walking, rollerblading, cycling.
A warm bath with relaxing aromatic salts, airing the room will help to defeat insomnia.
To reduce anxiety and irritability, you should give up coffee. Fill your life with colors - find a new hobby, take up dancing. Distract yourself with something interesting every time you feel like smoking.

Smoking is not only great harm human health, but also the problem of society as a whole. In modern society, quitting this bad habit is a necessity for someone who wants to be healthy and successful. And it's not as difficult as it seems - you just need to start wanting and setting a goal to quit smoking.

At the moment when a heavy smoker decides to quit his bad habit, he has withdrawal symptoms after quitting smoking. This condition is accompanied by very unpleasant symptoms that are characteristic of such an ailment as withdrawal syndrome, in which a person experiences burdensomeness, discomfort. In fact, these are all symptoms of nicotine withdrawal, which is very similar to the same withdrawal that drug addicts and alcoholics suffer from.

The manifestation of withdrawal

We offer to understand in more detail how withdrawal symptoms manifest themselves after quitting smoking:

it occurs immediately after a person stops smoking cigarettes;
the addict constantly wants to smoke a few cigarettes;
the smoker becomes quite irritable, nervous and aggressive when he has withdrawal symptoms after quitting;
the addict is worried about everything around him, accompanies him constant feeling anxiety, he is tense;
the patient often has headaches, he may fall into depression, stop sleeping normally;
it is difficult for him to concentrate, his limbs constantly tremble, especially his hands;
in a smoker, when he has withdrawal symptoms after quitting smoking, increases arterial pressure, heart ailments develop, such as tachycardia and bradycardia;
the smoker has shortness of breath, he constantly complains that he does not have enough air to breathe normally;
addicted person, due to being deprived of cigarettes, feels general weakness, he sweats all the time;
in a smoker, when he has withdrawal symptoms after quitting smoking, there is allergic rash on the body;
the patient begins to cough strongly and eat a lot, because his appetite increases;
there are problems with bowel movements (most often a smoker has constipation).

The effect of nicotine on the human body

Nicotine, getting into the human body, immediately begins to act on the brain centers. In the process, endorphin is released, which releases adrenaline into the blood. A person becomes cheerful, he feels a surge of energy and strength. Imagine what happens to the human body when it quits smoking. All those symptoms that we described when it came to how withdrawal symptoms manifest themselves after quitting smoking make themselves felt very clearly.

In general, it should be noted that the hormone endorphin plays an ambiguous role in the human body. A person feels pleasure from it when he plays sports. The process by which this hormone is produced this case occurs naturally, which cannot be said about how it is produced in the process of smoking. Nicotine is beginning to be introduced into many biochemical processes in the human body:

it synthesizes acetylcholine, a substance that excites the brain at the cellular level;
provokes the release of adrenaline, stimulating work endocrine system, especially it affects the pituitary gland, as a result of which a person becomes dependent on nicotine;
the sensitivity of many receptors decreases, due to which a person begins to get used to the fact that he needs to smoke.

How else does withdrawal manifest itself after quitting smoking?

Every smoker experiences withdrawal symptoms after quitting smoking in different ways. However, in any case, in this difficult period, a person should be helped by people who are next to him. A smoker may experience the following health problems:

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A cold can occur, which is provoked by viruses and other types of infections.
Lotorangic organs are affected, especially the pharynx, ears and sinuses.
Diseases develop respiratory system, because the bronchioles narrowed under the influence of nicotine expand very sharply, and the smoker, who already has a reduced immunity, develops various diseases.
In addition, it should be noted that over the entire period while a person smokes, a lot of nicotine accumulates in his lungs and tobacco smoke, despite the fact that the body itself is trying to defend itself and remove everything from the body toxic substances. As a result, mucus is formed, which is simply not needed in the lungs. And because of it, ulcers open in the mouth of a former smoker. Nicotine reduces the protective function of saliva and not only.

Therefore, if you want to quit smoking and calmly experience the symptoms that occur when withdrawal symptoms develop after quitting smoking, then you should definitely consult a doctor who will help you survive the nicotine withdrawal syndrome. By the way, we want to note right away that the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal last for everyone. different time, this factor depends on numerous individual features smoker's body.

How is nicotine withdrawal treated in a hospital setting?

Everyone can safely endure the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal. But in some cases, this is simply impossible, when the cough intensifies, the symptoms of other ailments intensify. If withdrawal from cigarettes proceeds in a complicated form, then it is urgent to contact a narcologist who will help and tell you how to get rid of nicotine withdrawal so that infectious diseases do not develop against its background.

Most likely, the doctor will recommend to go for treatment in day hospital. He will prescribe drugs to the patient that will support the liver, the work of the cardiovascular and digestive systems. It is very important to agree to such treatment so that there are no mental problems, because they usually worsen at the moment of withdrawal after quitting smoking. In addition to supportive drugs, the patient will be prescribed psychotropic drugs, which are the most effective way how to make it easier to quit smoking. In addition, they will help improve sleep, mood, help eliminate irritability and anxiety.

How to deal with nicotine withdrawal at home?

If the withdrawal syndrome is not accompanied by complex symptoms, then the smoker may be prescribed outpatient treatment. This is a good way to survive nicotine withdrawal, if, of course, you follow all the doctor's recommendations during the treatment process.

There are several treatments to ease nicotine withdrawal:

Psychological treatment. It helps the smoker to tune in to the right wave so that he does not have breakdowns and other problems and develops a strong desire to quit smoking. To this end, psychotherapists work with the smoker, group and individual trainings, hypnosis sessions and many other procedures are carried out. Relatives of a smoker should at any moment provide all possible assistance to the patient - give a sedative or just talk.
The use of nicotine replacement drugs is also prescribed. These include tablets chewing gums, patches that help to survive nicotine addiction after quitting smoking. Among the same drugs are those that act on acetylcholine receptors. These drugs release the body from dopamines, which help the smoker feel normal and not use nicotine.
Assigned to the smoker and cytisine drugs. They work very effectively if a person, despite the treatment started, still continues to smoke. In this case, an overdose of nicotine will occur, as a result of which the desire to smoke another cigarette will disappear from the smoker. The main thing is that in the process of taking these drugs, also conduct acupuncture sessions, engage in breathing exercises and reflexology.
In the process of treating nicotine addiction, it is desirable to spend more time outdoors. You need to do something, for example, take care of a child, solve some problems, so that the withdrawal syndrome has passed with less pronounced symptoms.

What are the consequences of withdrawal symptoms after quitting smoking?

The question of how long withdrawal lasts after quitting smoking is quite difficult to answer, because the answer will depend on the individual characteristics of each person. In addition, if the process of adapting the body to such a state will occur with difficulties, then complications may arise, which include the following nuances:

Sleep may be disturbed because nicotine increases blood pressure, and if a person refuses it, then the opposite situation occurs. If the pressure becomes higher, then this is just a consequence of attachment to smoking.
There may be problems with digestive system accompanied by nausea and vomiting. After all long time a person had to live in one rhythm, and now his internal organs have to deal with stress. Be sure to adjust your diet to alleviate the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal. By the way, the same nuance affects how long days will pass urge to smoke after quitting.
A smoker may cough up phlegm. This is a natural phenomenon, there is nothing to worry about. It can last as long as withdrawal lasts after quitting smoking. Inhalation and special gymnastics for breathing can alleviate the condition of a person.
Also, the smoker often has pain in the teeth and in the head. All this provokes vasospasm, the duration of this condition will depend on how long the nicotine withdrawal lasts. To alleviate the condition, you need to take drugs that act as painkillers.
The entire period, how long nicotine addiction, may be accompanied by skin problems - acne appears on it, it peels off, because nicotine poisoned it.
In the first days after quitting smoking, a person may develop viral diseases. All this happens against the background of reduced immunity of the smoker. The duration of the disease will depend on how long the nicotine withdrawal syndrome lasts.
Some smokers begin to eat more to replace nicotine, as a result of which they increase overweight. If you want to stay in shape for the duration of your withdrawal from cigarettes, then give up fast food and other foods that are not considered healthy.

Top benefits of nicotine withdrawal

After a person gives up the habit of smoking, he has a lot of positive emotions:

his cough disappears, but during that period, how long the nicotine withdrawal will last, it can still continue;
the sinuses become cleaner, as a result of which the sense of smell improves and shortness of breath disappears;
the smell of tobacco smoke disappears (this moment will depend on how many days the nicotine addiction passes);
There will be no heart disease and oncological;
A person’s performance will improve faster, more energy will appear, but this moment depends on how long the nicotine addiction goes through for each individual smoker;
The smoker improves the condition of hair, skin and nails.

How many days does it take to quit smoking?

If you're wondering how long cigarette cravings last after quitting, then you should know that nicotine withdrawal occurs in three stages:

First day. After a person goes at least one day without a cigarette, he will have a strong desire to start smoking again. If you do not give him a cigarette, he begins to destroy and break everything around. Because of this, he cannot concentrate on anything. He has a decrease in appetite, efficiency, laziness occurs, and indigestion occurs. But if a person can hold out, then his condition after the first day will noticeably improve. It will depend on this how long the nicotine withdrawal will last.
Apogee period. This stage occurs in 2-3 days. It should be noted that it can be called a turning point through which not all smokers go. Whether you pass it or not will determine how long the withdrawal from smoking cessation lasts.

Everyone knows that when smoking a person significantly shortens his life. Actively working anti-tobacco propaganda, current bans on smoking are bearing fruit. All more people think about how to get rid of addiction forever. But for many, such plans remain in their thoughts.

Not all heavy smokers manage to quit smoking easily. After all, the nicotine component of cigarettes stimulates the work of the nervous, circulatory and respiratory systems, takes part in metabolism. Without problems, people are prevented from forgetting about smoking by nicotine withdrawal syndrome. The body cannot adjust to a nicotine-free regime and pushes a person back into the arms of cigarettes.

Smoking cessation is called "nicotine withdrawal" and occurs after quitting cigarettes.

Smoking cessation syndrome is manifested by an irresistible craving to smoke after giving up cigarettes. Tobacco smoking causes a serious dependence in the body on the psychological and physical level. When nicotine enters the body, the smoker feels euphoria and a burst of energy (these are echoes of the effect of nicotine on the central nervous system).

The essence of nicotine withdrawal

The nervous system quickly forms conditioned reflex: smoke - enjoy. This is how dependence on psychological level. Only the smoker himself can cope with such a reflex, by connecting willpower and the desire to stop ruining his health.

Psychologists advise when quitting smoking to replace the lost “pleasure” reflex with another, no less pleasant, but healthier one. For example, sports, dancing, jogging or any hobbies and hobbies.

The withdrawal syndrome when quitting smoking is called "nicotine withdrawal" by narcologists.

Nicotine is actively involved in all metabolic process human body. He interferes with the work of literally every cell. It also actively affects the entire peripheral nervous system. With a long period of smoking, this becomes the usual norm.

Symptoms of withdrawal syndrome

A person smokes to feel good. Dependence is also formed at the physiological level. When you try to quit smoking, your whole body will have to adjust to a new mode of functioning, without the participation of a nicotine stimulant. This is sometimes almost impossible.

How long does nicotine withdrawal last?

Nicotine withdrawal is expressed in many unpleasant symptoms. The duration and intensity of this process is individual for each individual. They depend on:

age.
Smoking experience.
The gender of the person.
The presence of motivation.
health conditions.
genetic factors.
The number of cigarettes consumed per day.

A person can even psychologically and unconsciously influence the appearance of nicotine withdrawal. He, having studied all subsequent possible unpleasant sensations, involuntarily sets himself up for difficulties. The smoker inspires himself with the idea that it will definitely be difficult and difficult to quit smoking, thereby provoking the development of this syndrome.

Risk factors for nicotine withdrawal

Specialists refer to the risk factors for the appearance of a pronounced withdrawal syndrome smoking adolescents. Young personalities, trying to look older and presentable, with their characteristic frivolity, do not think about sad consequences smoking . People who started smoking in childhood, the risk of developing nicotine withdrawal is very high.

Statistics sadly says that the craving for cigarettes is rapidly getting younger. Modern people they try the first puff as early as 10-12 years. According to Rospotrebnadzor, about 30% of children school age are smokers.

To risk factors for development severe syndrome cancellation applies and availability chronic pathologies. Moreover, in a smoker with experience, as a rule, there is not even one chronic illness. Among such persons it is difficult to find completely healthy. This fact leads to the appearance of a complex and prolonged nicotine withdrawal.

Symptoms of nicotine withdrawal syndrome

Nicotine withdrawal has no single symptomatic complex. There are some of the most common manifestations that most quitting smokers complain about. But in any case, it will be impossible to predict whether they will appear in a given person or not.

Nicotine withdrawal is complicated by the fact that tobacco dependence is formed at the level of psychological consciousness.

It is difficult to explain how many unpleasant symptoms will haunt a person - everything is too individual. Common complaints about smoking cessation include the following:

Neurological ailments. Changes in the functioning of the cardiovascular system are involved in their development. This:

headache;
dizziness;
weakness and lethargy;
increased sleepiness.

After the withdrawal of nicotine, which stimulated the pressure, blood vessels forced to change to new way. Which leads to such manifestations.

Mood changes. These disorders are associated with a lack of brain neurotransmitters. If smoking nicotine actively contributed to the production of “joy” hormones, then after the absence of a stimulus, the brain takes time to begin to form hormones on its own. Up to this point, the ex-smoker is being harassed by:

nervousness;
insomnia, poor sleep;
depressive states;
constant feeling of lack of sleep;
lack of joyful perception of the world;
asthenic manifestations (incontinence of emotions, intolerance to external stimuli: sound, light, smell).

Apart from negative factors when quitting smoking, positive dynamics are also observed in the body

Increase in appetite. One of the most common and characteristic symptoms of nicotine withdrawal. TO constant desire There are two reasons to eat after quitting cigarettes:

The absence of the necessary nicotine, which previously actively stimulated the metabolism.
Developed stress from the loss of habitual smoking. And any stress, most people are accustomed to "seize" delicious food.

Problems of the gastrointestinal tract. The absence of the usual nicotine stimulant leads to constipation and stool disorders, a feeling of soreness in the peritoneum. Indeed, when smoking, nicotine is a stimulant of peristalsis, after its absence, the intestines need time to rebuild and function healthy.

Nicotine Withdrawal Calendar

The smoking cessation syndrome passes quite smoothly, without torturing a person leaps and bounds unpleasant symptoms. How exactly this abstinence manifests itself can be seen in the table below:

Time since last cigarette	Symptoms
1-3 day	sleep problems; slight irritability; loss of appetite; increased anxiety
3-6 days	restless sleep with frequent waking up; the appearance of depression; belching and heartburn; feeling of "squeezing" of the heart; dizziness when bending over; noise in ears
6-9 day	peeling on the skin, the appearance of small pimples; swelling of the face and limbs; some confusion; psycho-emotional instability; sensation of a mucous coma in the throat; abdominal pain
9-12 days	weakness; dizziness; gastrointestinal disorders; skin problems (dryness or vice versa, oiliness); dry cough; insomnia; daytime sleepiness
12-15 day	growing desire to smoke; severe nervousness; tearfulness; irritability; appetite problems; cough gradually turns into a wet one; depression
15-18 days	a strong increase in appetite; muscle soreness; abdominal pain; aches of bones; frequent colds
18-21 days	increased sweating; tremor of hands/legs; pain in the right precostal area; bitterness in the mouth; constant thirst; increased urination
21-24 days	strong wet cough; stool disorders; irresistible appetite; heartburn after eating fatty foods; dryness and flaking of the skin
24-27 day	persistent pressure drop; severe dizziness; allergic rashes and herpes; increased excitability; increased craving for smoking; continued insomnia
27-30 days	restoration of intestinal motility; improvement of the skin condition; reduction of cough syndrome; slight lethargy; drowsiness

After the first month since quitting cigarettes, symptoms physical addiction fades out. But the mental habit is still very great. For six months, a person will be drawn to smoke. He has vivid memories of how wonderful it was to smoke and enjoy the fragrant smoke.

The period from the second to the third month is the most difficult psychologically. According to statistics, it is at this time that people return to smoking again.

The vast majority of ex-smokers note that the withdrawal syndrome reaches its peak on the 4th-7th day after giving up the bad habit. This is exactly the moment when the body understands that there will be no more nicotine doping and it should be adjusted to healthy level work.

It is at this turning point that you should make every effort and not smoke again. In this case, everything internal systems they will begin to slowly "remember" their healthy existence and work in a new way.

How to help with withdrawal syndrome

To alleviate negative symptoms, many ex-smokers use nicotine replacement therapy. This method doctors recommend those people who have a long history of smoking, and the number of cigarettes smoked per day varied from one pack. What is used in this case?

Nicotine chewing gums (Nicorette, Nicotinell).
Patches with nicotine (Nicotinell, Nicorette, Niquitin).
Nicotine spray inhalers (Anti-tobacco, Nicorette).

In other cases, the use of these funds is not required. In most cases, nicotine "withdrawal" proceeds smoothly and does not deliver ex-smoker special inconvenience.

What is the first step in the treatment of nicotine withdrawal?

It is very important during the period of restructuring the body to a healthy level of work to pay attention to your own well-being. If too painful and unbearable processes appear, immediately consult a doctor.

At strong cough you should go for a consultation with a therapist, if you suffer from dizziness and migraine, you need to visit a neurologist. Against the background of refusal of nicotine in a person, many diseases can begin to develop.

Experienced narcologists advise on the background of withdrawal syndrome to sleep more. A person is already drawn to sleep due to the physical manifestations of nicotine withdrawal. And in a dream to cope with negative manifestations easier and faster. Some experts recommend quitting smoking during a cold.

It is noted that in this case, the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal will be very mild or completely absent. This is explained by the fact that with a disease, the body throws all its forces into the fight against the disease, and there is simply no strength left for the manifestation of the withdrawal syndrome.

After the end of the illness, devote more time to sports and active exercise. This will help the body cope with nicotine withdrawal faster. Do not forget about the growing appetite these days. In order not to gain excess weight, review and adjust your own diet.

In the first month of the syndrome, it is recommended to drink more, take vitamins, consume more dairy products, switch to vegetables and fruits. Fall in love with the bath - the sauna with its healing climate will help the body to return to normal faster. Good luck!

Smoking withdrawal syndrome or nicotine withdrawal is a state of the body when a smoker experiences an acute desire to smoke. Basically it's a reaction. nervous system to failure, which is explained by the repetition of actions, that is, habit, and physical factor when the level of nicotine in the blood drops to a critical level. Scientists have identified the most common withdrawal symptoms. They are safe for health, and it is real to survive this period. The reaction to quitting cigarettes appears after a couple of hours and is characterized by:

irritability, anxiety, scattered attention;
dizziness, headache, noise in the head, cough;
increased appetite, dry mouth.

On hit cigarette smoke in the body there is an active release of endorphin (hormone of joy) and adrenaline into the blood. As a result, heart contractions accelerate and blood pressure rises. If nicotine stops flowing, a person feels all of the above signs.

How long does nicotine withdrawal last

The intensity of the manifestation of symptoms upon withdrawal is different, due to many factors. It is difficult to answer this question unequivocally, because the degree of suffering depends on the duration of smoking, the number of cigarettes, and the purpose of smoking. That is, on whether a person smokes to relieve stress and relaxation, for pleasure or to improve their status in the eyes of others.

Nicotine withdrawal usually lasts from 2 to 18 months. Up to one year there is a formation new habit. During this period, it is especially important for a person to find a useful addiction, a new occupation or hobby.

It often happens when people who smoke with little experience endure the so-called “withdrawal” among the people much harder. And heavy smokers, having set a clear goal to “quit once and for all”, successfully cope with the problem, not paying attention to ailments. Everything is purely individual and depends on the moral preparation and mental state.

How to survive it all

Nicotine withdrawal syndrome is easier to bear under the supervision of a psychologist and narcologist. Experts conduct interviews, individually select methods, necessary examinations and procedures. They allow you to find out true reason smoking and get rid of the habit as soon as possible, while making the treatment as comfortable as possible.

Headaches and dizziness are caused by constant oxygen starvation experienced by the smoker. As a result of quitting smoking, this is abruptly replaced by an abundant supply of oxygen. How to help with this? You can lie down for a few minutes, relax your neck muscles, do a light massage, put a damp towel on your forehead or back of your head. Doctors also recommend holding the legs in the pelvis with warm water before going to bed, so you can relax and sleep better.

Dry mouth is caused by the systematic ingress of smoke into oral cavity irritating salivary glands, that leads to increased salivation. After quitting smoking, a person experiences dryness in the oral cavity, which brings constant discomfort. To relieve the symptom, you need to drink water or juice in small sips and hold your breath for 5-10 seconds.

The cause of cough is the "desire" of the body to get rid of tobacco plaque and mucus that cover Airways and lungs. When a person stops smoking, the lung cells that have survived begin to work rhythmically. The cough usually lasts for several weeks with discharge thick sputum light or dark brown.

It is strictly forbidden to take antibiotics during this period, but expectorants may be prescribed by a doctor. To moisten a dry cough, it is recommended to systematically do inhalations.

The source of tingling in the extremities is that nicotine dilates blood vessels and increases blood flow in them. In itself, this phenomenon indicates the restoration of the functionality of the body. Great for symptom relief walking tour, cold and hot shower, rubbing with a damp towel or washcloth of medium hardness of tingling spots in the ankle area on the legs.

We go to victory

Think positively, because if you look at your symptoms as something bad, terrible that happened in your life, you won't get anything good out of it. Already on the fourth day, all the unpleasant symptoms of smoking cessation are significantly reduced. The body during this period is cleansed, and the condition improves significantly. And the feeling of fear, despair and anxiety just needs to be experienced.

You feel like you're about to break down. At this moment, it is extremely important to switch and remember why you came to this hard way. Having lit the first cigarette after a long break, you will feel a state of weightlessness, relief and some freedom, but this is not for long. Coming very soon strong feeling guilt for what they did and for not being able to keep the promise they made to themselves.

You should be primarily motivated by:

You will be able to prolong the youthfulness of the skin, and the teeth will no longer acquire a yellow tint;
Shortness of breath will cease to torment even after maximum physical activity;
No need to worry that there are no cigarettes in the morning, and headlong to the store for another portion of "poison";
Hair and hands will not smell of pungent nicotine aroma;
You can save a lot of money in a year.

Man is a rational being great amount opportunities. Quitting smoking is actually very simple, set a goal and achieve it. After all, it happens that we begin to worry about own health too late.

Every smoking man over time, comes to the decision to abandon the addiction. Most often, this cannot be done the first time, because at certain stages self-control is lost and cigarettes again become part of everyday life.

In order to quit smoking as comfortably as possible and have a lasting result, it is necessary to mentally prepare for it. Knowing all the possible pitfalls of their own consciousness, quitting smoking is easier to cope with periods of withdrawal and temporary weakness.

Smoking initiation and cessation after long period is stress for the body. Such an upheaval can lead to a number of unpleasant consequences. Quitting smoking, many report that they begin to get sick more often. For some, this becomes a reason to doubt the correctness of their decision. However, this condition is normal. In medical language, it is called withdrawal syndrome - a term applicable to different types addictions, including alcohol and drugs.

Important! The withdrawal syndrome (abstinence) is abrupt changes in an organism that is accustomed to the regular intake of certain substances. This means that, having got rid of daily intoxication, the organs and blood will begin to be intensively cleansed, removing the poisons accumulated in the cells. That is, they will have to work hard and adapt to a new life.

To avoid abrupt changes in smoking cessation, it is recommended to reduce the number of cigarettes gradually. But this advice is not for everyone. Many will remain smokers unless they quit at once.

Symptoms that occur when quitting smoking

All these troubles can frighten a person, make him regret a decisive and the right step on the way to health. It is important to remember that the symptoms are temporary, on average 2-3 weeks will pass, and normal health will return. The body needs time to transition to a new mode of operation. But after a total cleansing and general cleaning of all organs, it will function even better, and the sores will pass.

Prevention of withdrawal syndrome

In order for the symptoms of smoking cessation to pass faster, you need to help the body remove toxins and strengthen the immune system:

eat dairy products;
sleep more;
avoid heavy physical exertion and severe fatigue;
take a walk in the fresh air every day;
drink medicinal decoctions for supporting immune system and removal of slags and toxins;
adjust your diet so that one third of it is in vegetables and fruits, the other third is in proteins (meat, fish, dairy products), and the last third is in carbohydrates (pasta, cereals, potatoes, pastries, sweets);
drink more pure water.

Benefits of quitting smoking. Part 2

Such activities will help to quickly get rid of discomfort and weaknesses. In addition, they can form a habit the right way life.

How to prepare for quitting smoking. Stage 1

Smoking has been proven to be a disease. And on the road to recovery, every smoker goes through the same stages. Only one does it more successfully. And the other - with several attempts. Knowing what stages await on the way to victory, it is easier to be prepared and resist the temptation to smoke again.

Stage	Stage name	Characteristic	Recommendations
1	Making sense and decision making	Every smoker hears a lot of information about the dangers of smoking, sees scary pictures on packs of cigarettes. But not only this makes you fight addiction, personal motives are important: 1. Tired of feeling like a slave to a habit: going to the store just because you ran out of cigarettes; freezing on the balcony during a smoke break, etc. 2. Low self-esteem, awareness of one's own powerlessness in front of a bad habit. 3. Physical discomfort: shortness of breath, cough, sputum discharge, tingling in the lungs, sexual dysfunction in men and other problems due to bad condition vessels. 4. Limitation of opportunities: memory impairment, decreased performance, other signs of constant intoxication, which takes a lot of strength and energy. 5. Psychological factors: a person feels unwell, often thinks about the approach of death, is afraid of the appearance oncological diseases due to smoking	Fear is a powerful motivator for many. The main thing is to remember well your unhealthy state, so that later, when the body recovers, do not forget about it. At this stage, it is important to set a single goal - not to smoke. If you add sports, diets, something else to it, it will be a mistake. Demanding too much from yourself at once is not right, this is the path to stress. The maturation of the decision, its final adoption can last several days. During this time, you need to prepare for the date when you will stop being a smoker. Stop making smoking a ritual. For example, give up a morning cigarette, a smoke break after a meal or while drinking coffee. Determine the day when you will completely stop smoking. It is better that it be a calm weekend, when you can get enough sleep, spend time without haste and stress
2	Active actions	Giving up cigarettes, developing willpower. A strong craving for smoking is observed in the first days, gradually decreases. After a couple of weeks, the physical cravings are gone. And the psychological one can remain for several more months. Not smoking is the main action. For a smoker, this means that you can do anything, just to forget about cigarettes.	At this stage, it is important not to provoke a return to smoking. It is better not to be in the company of smokers, not to drink alcohol, not to sort things out. A calm attitude and self-confidence, as well as positive examples of acquaintances who have successfully emerged from tobacco captivity, will help to cope with cravings in moments of weakness. In order to reduce the risks of slipping to zero, throw lighters, ashtrays, cigarettes out of the house
3	Weakening of vigilance	About a month after quitting smoking, on a wave of strength and wellness there is an illusion that the addiction is gone. It seems to a person that he has overcome a bad habit forever. At such a moment, self-control weakens, which means it is easy to break loose without even noticing how it happened.	Provocateurs pushing for a cigarette can be a feast with alcohol or stress. It seems that from one cigarette cravings will not return. And this main mistake quit smoking. One cigarette is sure to be followed by another, because the mind does not feel danger. So, tobacco addiction, having barely left your life, again settles in it for a long time.
4	Trapped again	Returning to smoking, a person at first reassures himself that he will easily quit at any moment. The same is true for alcoholics and drug addicts. This general principles dependency actions. But at some point you can't quit. A person is angry with himself, understands the futility of his efforts. The feeling of hopelessness and helplessness makes you worry and smoke even more	If you could not resist one cigarette, it is important to prevent the continuation so that others do not follow. Otherwise, the circle will close and after some time all the stages will have to go through again.

Important! The most important thing in the early stages is to keep the target in a constant field of view. There is no need to be upset about gaining weight, especially if you have a great propensity for this. Do not scold yourself for eating excesses. The main thing is not to smoke, the rest is secondary.

Some more purposeful people manage to avoid the fourth stage, but this is rather an exception to the rule.

Motivation and consistency

So that the efforts are not in vain and do not have to quit smoking several times, it is necessary to clearly articulate the motivation and write it down on a sheet. The list is best placed in a conspicuous place, for example, attached with magnets to the refrigerator. In moments of doubt, reread what you have written and remind yourself that smoking interferes with your happiness.

Motivating list can include:

good health (lack of shortness of breath, problems with blood vessels, cough);
a positive example for children to whom you tell that smoking is bad, but show something else;
peace and absence dark thoughts about death and oncology;
excellent condition of the skin, teeth;
fresh breath;
increase self-esteem, a reason to be proud of yourself.

Each list will be supplemented with important items for him. There doesn't have to be many of them. The main thing is that they are of great importance to you. Please note that the list contains positive points that will come into your life without smoking. Do not focus on the negative, it causes increased anxiety.

Attention! A systematic approach to smoking cessation is essential. Various plasters, pills, magnets, acupuncture can help someone. For some, the most effective is a new hobby that captures attention, distracts from cigarettes. Consistency is also expressed in the relentless pursuit of the goal. Only with a serious and consistent attitude to business will you succeed.

How to Quit Smoking Comfortably and Not Get Broken

Attention! Why is quitting smoking so hard? non-smoker the problem seems far-fetched, and the inhalation of smoke is a dubious pleasure. The smoker becomes so accustomed to the process and sensations associated with smoking that he ceases to think of himself without it. That is, dependence is formed both at the physiological and at the psychological level.

It is difficult to say what is harder - to overcome physical cravings or moral ones. What stops a person from finally parting with cigarettes? This is the fear of being alone with your problems without support and support. In this sense, the refrain from Viktor Tsoi's song can become the smoker's anthem: "... if you have a pack of cigarettes in your pocket, then everything is not so bad today." Anxiety prevents you from tying up with poison or makes you fall into other extremes - instead of using tobacco, chew a lot, suck on candy, eat constantly.

The emotional sphere during the period of quitting smoking is very vulnerable, it can be protected in several ways:

Attention! It is important to keep busy so as not to think about a cigarette and nervous breakdowns. It's a pledge peace of mind which will help you avoid mistakes.

When you quit smoking, celebrate new changes in yourself every day. For example, how the taste of food has changed, how pleasant and easy it has become to breathe. By celebrating achievements, you will be even more convinced that there is no going back. Only forward - to a healthy and happy life!