how long nicotine withdrawals last?

Question

I quit smoking 2 1/2 months ago cold turkey after being smoker for 27yrs . sisnce them I had the worst withdrawals, my sleep was very disturb now is better , I still feel bit anxious ,nervous, tired and sometimes sad . when to doctor and he told me - nothing wrong with me is only the withdrawals - he told me 27yrs smoking cant be erase in 2 months - anyone here had same situation?

Answer 1

Physically you were out of withdrawal in less than a week. Nicotine has a very short half-life, about 2 hours. So within a few days your system was pretty much clear of the drug.

Now, the "addiction" beyond the physical one, that is something that can take a long time to beat.

Do you exercise regularly? That can help a lot in taming the nervousness you describe. Yoga can help you feel calm. Just remember how bad you feel ... so you don't start again and have to go through this again.

Answer 2

The actual withdrawl due to nicotine dependancy usually only lasts about 48-72 hours. After that...it's all a case of craving due to habit & mental dependancy. You will always get these craving flareups...even if you haven't touched a cigarette in 10 years! To help curve the urge to smoke...whenever you get a craving to pick up a cigarette, take 3 deep breaths & tell yourself NO. Try it...I swear it will work. Another thing is to quit drinking ANYTHING other than water. Add a little lemon...it helps. Take vitamin B-12 & calcium. The calcium will actually help to obsorb the nicotine from your body. I quit smoking cold turkey after 25 years of being a heavy smoker. I was given a plan from a bioligist friend who travels nationally and gives "Cold Turkey Seminars". The advice I gave above is a small part of the plan, but the most important part, believe it or not. I'm going on my 4th month without a cigarette...and have no desire to start smoking again. I just do the breathing whenever the urge flares up. I feel great being a member of the non-smoking world.

Answer 3

I quite smoking two years ago after about the same length of time. After about three months, you start seeing light at the end of the tunnel and stop thinking about it so much - you probably still pretty obsessed about the non-smoking still. Bear in mind that you will always be an ex-smoker - that little demon in your mind never goes away completely, but it gets easier to manage. There are still moments once in a while when I fancy a cigarette - but the feeling passes almost instantly and I forget about it. Hang in there, It gets better the longer it lasts. Remember whenever you're tempted, it's only a craving and it will pass. You are now 100% nicotine free and the symptoms are now just psychological.

Answer 4

I had smoked for over 12 years & quit cold turkey from about a pack & half habit per day to nothing. For the first 2 months I had headaches nearly everyday & gained weight from no change in diet. After about the 3rd month I was breathing better & the headaches ceased. The emotional side of the equation was there too, but more in regards to patience levels & being more affected by things that normally wouldn't try me in the past.

Answer 5

I have tried to stop smoking many times but always went back. Cold turkey is hell. I went to the drug store and got nicotine patches and I must tell you that I am not having a hard time at all. Occasionally my brain tells me that just a puff won't hurt but I went that route and it wasn't long before I wanted "just a puff" again. So no puffs and I am not having a hard time.

Answer 6

I didn't think it was that long, but I quit a year ago and periodically still get an urge. I ignore it. I wonder if you walked regularly if you might help get this out of your system. Good luck

Answer 7

forever.

seriously..i've been quit for 2 years now, and i still crave cigs really bad at times. i even dream of smoking.

Answer 8

two to three packs of Camels a day........................it took me about six months...........