What are the side effects of attempting to quit smoking?

Question

For a regular, long-term smoker. Does it cause a change in a person's behaviour -e.g. stressed, anger? Is that normal?

This isn't me btw > someone I am close to. I've just noticed those above traits manifested in their behaviour as of recent, whilst trying to quit smoking

Answer 1

Physiologically, withdrawal from the addictive elements of cigarettes takes about 2 weeks. So yes, the person will feel very irritable and stressed and will be at war with himself and others and will have cravings to smoke. When this subsides, the psychological component of smoking might still be there and is another hurdle for the smoker intending to quit. It has been said that nicotine is as additive as heroin. If a person really psychologically wants to quit, he will. If not, he will continue to smoke despite his best intentions. This is true even of persons who use nicotine patches or hypnosis or that sort of thing.

Answer 2

Due to smoking for a long term you get addicted to Nicotine. Nicotine is one of the most addictive substances known to man. Powerful and very fast acting. This is the chemical which causes addiction to cigarettes.

-It is a drug and has many different effects on the body at the same time.
-After just one puff it begins to act on your central nervous system, brain and other parts of the body.
-It actually stimulates your system, even though it makes you feel relaxed.
-Nicotine affects chemicals in your brain and, after a puff, you usually feel good for a moment or two, which is why many smokers view smoking as stress relief when under pressure.
-Some areas of the brain are pleasure related and when stimulated give the feeling of relaxation and reduced anxiety.

Over time as you continue to smoke, your body learns to depend on nicotine. As a result when you stop smoking you get 'nicotine cravings' one of many different withdrawal symptoms.

Nicotine Cravings And Withdrawal

Cravings and withdrawal symptoms when you quit smoking are a common experience.

It is the way your body reacts when it stops getting nicotine and all the other chemicals in tobacco smoke.

Some withdrawal symptoms will come and go over a period of a few days. Most are gone within three weeks and not every smoker is affected to the same degree.

Cravings. Each one lasts 3 -5 minutes, and may be strong. Over time however, cravings will happen less often. More about cravings below.

Headaches (occasional), indigestion, nausea, diarrhoea and sore throats rarely last more than four days.

Try usual over the counter remedies for these symptoms.
Insomnia and an increased tendency to dream.

-Tea and coffee contain caffeine and, without nicotine, your body absorbs much more of this stimulant, which can make you restless, irritable and sleepless for a while.

-Try drinking less tea and coffee, make your cups weaker.
-Consider coffee substitutes, water, fruit juice and caffeine-free cola drinks.

Coughing most commonly caused by the cilia that line your lungs cleaning out the tar and mucus.

Irritability, depression or anxiety are closely connected to the physical action of nicotine leaving your body and will lessen over one to three weeks.

Increased appetite and possible weight gain.

Tiredness and lack of concentration.

-Try and relax more during the first few weeks any tiredness will pass.
-Take a break from what your doing and take a short walk if possible to help concentration.-

Answer 3

First few days feels like your head has a hole on the top and cold air is rushing in your brain…no…no I’m not kidding. The most weird feeling ever!!!
Then craving starts, sweets, candies, lots of food…
Stress and anxiety comes right in and all you can think about is a big long endless cigarette… in middle of an important meeting your mind gets filled with cigarette brands, everywhere you look you see people smoking and you envy them.
Off course there is the issue of weight…I quit smoking 12 years ago and can’t get rid of the excess weight I gained over the first 3-month period.
But there is the great aspect in this nerve shattering process.
Taste is back…physical condition gets better and better every day (you can actually climb more than few stairs before sitting down to catch your breath), sleeping is easier (lighter), you don’t have this awful mouth taste and the feeling of accomplishment and self respect is sky high…
Support the person you’re close to…Praise as much as you can…it’s much needed during the rehabilitation process.

Answer 4

It probably affects everyone differently, but I can tell you that I smoked for four years through college and then tried to quit during grad school. I went cold turkey after averaging a half-pack a day. For two months I had a hard time sleeping, thought about smoking constantly, and was more irritable than normal. I wasn't necessarily stressed or angry, just irritated. It was truly a struggle to not go buy a pack. I quit for 2 years, took it back up for 9 months, then quit again cold turkey, this time for good. It was much easier the second time. Hopefully it goes okay for you.

Answer 5

Poeple are affected in different ways while trying to quit smoking. For me it was a 3 week constant headache which in turn caused some irritability. If you care for the person, put up with it and it will get better in a few weeks. If you don't care for the person why the hell do you care if they quit smoking or not!!!!!

Answer 6

Yes This is normal for a while, you can expect that the physical addiction to nicotine may make you nervous and irritable for about 48 hours.After that, there's no further physical addiction. There is, of course, the psychological craving is quite short.

Answer 7

The main side effect is you don't die of cancer. The rest of it is the same for anyone coming off an addictive drug. All the things you have mentioned are true.

But they have a better chance of living longer!!

Answer 8

symptoms vary from person to person, but yes, you can expect to see mood swings, they can complain of body aches, head aches, and are easily angered and agitated.
It is a very difficult addiction to overcome. You might suggest your friend look into the new drug on the market for smoking cessation called Chantix....have gotten some very encouraging reports from people who managed to quit quite easily and comfortably using it.

Answer 9

Quit Smoking Cigarette With QuitSmokingMagic - http://Go.QuitSmokingMagics.com

Answer 10

You miss the delightful feeling of a cigarette, especially with a beer and the honor of beign part of the last minority its acceptable to openly hate.
Seriously, though, the only real risk is you might become an anitsmoking fanatic and try to ruin it for those of us who choose to keep enjoying tobacco.
Good luck and don't turn into a puritan.