Whenever a person gives up nicotine addiction, he experiences withdrawal symptoms. In this article, we have listed the physical and mental symptoms of nicotine withdrawal & recovery.

Nicotine Withdrawal

Giving up nicotine, whether in the form or smoking or otherwise, is less difficult for an individual than getting over the withdrawal symptoms. The days in which the quitter experiences nicotine withdrawal and recovery symptoms are the toughest from him. The worst part is that these symptoms do not show up immediately, rather come up during the later weeks or months of quitting. The reason for the withdrawal symptoms is that nicotine creates psychoactive or trippy effects after ingestion. As soon as the effect wears off, the body starts craving for it. With time, the body starts becoming resistant to the initial level of nicotine and starts demanding more. This is when the withdrawal symptoms are noticed. It is natural to experience both physical and mental withdrawal symptoms on giving up something as additive as nicotine.
 
The direct effect of nicotine withdrawal is seen on the neurotransmitters of the brain. As the brain is habituated to receiving stimulation triggered by nicotine consumption, it sends out strong signals of craving on being deprived of it. For those who are consuming nicotine in the form of smoking, the symptoms may be very strong, in case they have been smoking for long. They will have an intense urge to smoke, more so in those places and situations where they generally smoke. The withdrawal symptoms also change with the passage of time. They may start as a normal craving and gradually make one irritable, as the body is denied nicotine. Even concentration problems may be experienced, since the body is accustomed to function under the effect of nicotine. In case you want to explore more on nicotine withdrawal symptoms, read on.
 
 
Nicotine Withdrawal & Recovery Symptoms
 
Physical Symptoms
  • Cold symptoms (sore throat, cough, breathing problem, nasal drip, etc)
  • Constipation and gas
  • Diarrhea
  • Headache
  • Increase in appetite
  • Intestinal disorders (cramps, nausea, etc)
  • Light-headedness
  • Muscle contractions
  • Sweating
  • Tightness in chest
  • Tingling sensation in hands and feet
  • Weight gain
  • Insomnia and disturbed sleep 
Mental Symptoms
  • Cold symptoms (sore throat, cough, breathing problem, nasal drip, etc)
  • Constipation and gas
  • Diarrhea
  • Headache
  • Increase in appetite
  • Intestinal disorders (cramps, nausea, etc)
  • Light-headedness
  • Muscle contractions
  • Sweating
  • Tightness in chest
  • Tingling sensation in hands and feet
  • Weight gain
  • Depression
  • Mood swings 
Some Useful Tips 
  • If the physical symptoms of nicotine withdrawal are manifesting themselves in a very intense way, you should seek a doctor’s advice immediately. Physical complications such as heart attack and stroke can result, when the gravity of the symptoms is too much to endure.
  • In case you have tried to quite before as well, without much success, you must be having an idea of how worse the symptoms can become. Ensure that you have enough family support when you are trying to quit and try to keep yourself busy, focusing on other things.
  • Instead of trying to be radical and quitting nicotine altogether, do it in a piecemeal way. Bring your intake to moderate levels and then to low, before quitting it once and for all.

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