Ex-smokers: When you quit, how long did the withdrawals last? Especially the irritability?

Question

I quit yesterday. Today I have had a really bad headache and I have been a complete ***** to everyone. How long do I have to look forward to this?

Answer 1

A few months.

The hardest part for me was to get over my habit of buying cigarettes. Make sure you pay for your gas at the pump (instead of going inside, where the cigarettes are), and do NOT hang out with anyone who smokes, at least until you are over it!!

That, in my opinion, is the most important. If your friend smokes, you will too, so tell them you can't see them until you are over it. If you do, they can't bring cigarettes. I also had to give up alcohol for awhile, because I used to smoke whenever I drank.

But I have been done for years now, and I tried a cigarette a few months ago, and it nearly made me sick. And I was happy about that.

Answer 2

That is a good question. Withdrawals depend on the physiology of the person. Don,t know your age or the length of time of your addiction, however, judging by your question, I say you are a young person. As for the irritability, that again depends on the emotional health of the smoker. I started smoking when I was a teenager in 1948 and went into remission in 1993. In order to dilute the withdrawals, STAY BUSY ALL YOUR WAKING HOURS. REMOVE YOURSELF, TO THE EXTENT POSSIBLE, FROM OTHERS WHO SMOKE. This cessation from smoking could be the hardest thing you will attempt, but the rewards are so great you can't believe. You will need positive reinforcement, which can come from your Creator, your Family and others who have not smoked for over five years. I am not a devotee of the American Cancer Society's stop program program.Good Luck.

Answer 3

Hmm, for me I think the withdrawls (as far as headaches, mood, etc) lasted about 2 months, getting gradually better throughout that time. But the cravings lingered a bit longer. Not in the sense of "I NEED A SMOKE RIGHT NOW", but more along the lines of "I usually smoke a cigarette right now (after dinner... etc)"... followed by a little bit of sadness for not being able to anymore.

Please keep in mind, these things may seem hard right now, but in a years time you'll look back and it will all be a distant memory. You'll hardly remember how hard it was and you will feel like a new person!

This Friday is my 1 year anniversary of being smoke free. I no longer have withdrawals or cravings of any kind, and I don't even get the urge when I am around smokers. My life is so much better in ways I hadn't even imagined it would effect.

So hang in there... Keep it up... and if you need someone to talk to you are welcome to email me. PS: I also used www.quitnet.com . It was extremely helpful.

All the best to you in your quit!

Answer 4

Two to three weeks is the worst- I would suggest AROMA THERAPY -taking baths with the 'baby' soothing baby washes- one with lavender and chamomile- (lavender and chamomile are great herbs for relaxation). You could also do the lavender and chamomile herbal teas.

I would get a big button that says 'I just quit smoking- talk at your own risk!' I quit 25 years ago cold turkey- I wish the meds had been around then.

You will get through this- think of how much better you will feel by Christmas. This will be the best present you could give yourself.

IF NEED BE gum, lozenges, or new meds work. Don't listen to the nay sayers. I had a friend who said sex helped her relax her husband didn't mind.

Answer 5

I never experienced any of that. For me I think it was more of a mind thing .I'm an ex smoker twice.The first time I smoked for 6years and quit because I was pregnant.It was very easy for me to quit ,because I didn't want to hurt the baby .I started back up 13years latter .smoked a couple of years and quit because of my health.I never missed it .

Answer 6

it gets better after the first 21 days, but you still have irritability for about 2 months. Depends on how long you smoked, I smoked for 16 years.

I still want a smoke, but my motivation is that I want to be around to see my kids grow up. So I don't smoke anymore.

Answer 7

Way to go first of all it's hard to quit for good. But the headaches will last until the nicotine is out of ur body but they do get better as u go .It really depends on ur body how long u smoked when u get rid of withdrawals.It can very . Keep it up you will feel better once it's all say and done.

Answer 8

I ate bags of gummy bears and that helped a lot. My withdrawal did not last all that long. But, I had a friend that still craved cigarettes after 10 years. UGH!

Good for you for trying. I've been smoke-free for 20 years now, myself. It's GREAT!

Answer 9

that a very wise disecion on quiting smoking you can go to ur local doctor and get some info o how to completly stop from smoking that can really mess you up sice yur so addicted to smoking you body gets so use to that the mind is confusing you that how it does you when you smoke are you can take some pain relief pillls or and advil .


:smoking can kill you it completly mess up your lungs most of all it can give you lungs cancer oh gracious deadly is that:

Answer 10

Good for you!

It takes about a month for the main symptoms to really wear off. I thought I was having a heart attack for about a week.

Hang tough - it'll get better every day.

If it gets really bad, you might want to have your doctor precribe Chantix. I've had a couple of friends use it to quit & they are singing its praises.