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How can I Cope with Nicotine Withdrawal?

Misty Amber Brighton
Misty Amber Brighton

If you are trying to stop using tobacco products, you may want to try a form of nicotine replacement therapy, such as gum or patches, to help you overcome this addiction. It might also be a good idea to have plenty of candy or chewing gum on hand, especially if you have used chewing tobacco. In some cases, taking a walk or performing rigorous outdoor exercise can help alleviate cravings. Quitting with a friend is often easier than trying by yourself, so you may want to develop a plan for handling nicotine withdrawal with a buddy.

One nicotine withdrawal side effect can be extreme hunger. This often means you might eat more than usual while you are trying to quit smoking or chewing. Having some readily available healthy snacks, such as carrot or celery sticks, can sometimes help ease cravings while keeping hunger pangs at bay. It can also help you minimize the weight gain sometimes associated with giving up tobacco.

Sucking on hard candy may help relieve nicotine cravings.
Sucking on hard candy may help relieve nicotine cravings.

Keep some gum or hard candy with you at all times in case you get a craving for nicotine. Many times, chewing on a stick of gum or sucking on a piece of hard candy helps to minimize these urges. In some cases, a menthol cough drop can also aid in relieving withdrawal symptoms.

You may want to consider trying products like nicotine patches, gum, or lozenges. These usually allow you to gradually reduce the level of nicotine in the body, so the withdrawal symptoms are normally less severe. If you smoke, these could help you concentrate on breaking the habit of using the hands to smoke, rather than worrying about the actual nicotine withdrawal.

Nicotine gum, which can help with nicotine withdrawal.
Nicotine gum, which can help with nicotine withdrawal.

Exercise can be a good way to ease the signs of nicotine withdrawal. Get up and take a walk whenever you feel an intense craving for nicotine. You could also go jogging or ride a bicycle to help clear your mind and lungs while delivering oxygen to the blood cells. Performing these activities could have a calming effect as well.

If you know someone else who would like to quit using tobacco products, it may be a good idea to quit together. This way you could encourage each other throughout the process. You can set goals for quitting and celebrate your accomplishments together. This may even result in being able to break an addiction to nicotine sooner than doing it alone.

Chewing tobacco.
Chewing tobacco.

The severity of nicotine cravings will likely depend on the amount of time you have used tobacco and the frequency of its use. You may notice that nicotine withdrawal symptoms become less intense as time goes on. With a persistent effort, you may enjoy the health benefits and financial savings associated with being tobacco-free.

Discussion Comments

anon992989

I'm three weeks off of the nicotine gum. I chewed for five years, 8-10 2 mg pieces per day. I was feeling really cocky as my blood pressure dropped to 111/66, felt great, very little cravings, this went on for two weeks. Then boom! Anxiety attacks, usually around eating or after. Belchy, poopy, uneasy, hot head and limbs and spiked blood pressure up to 180/103. An Ativan, .5 really helped when I couldn't tough it out. Tums seemed to help some and Pepto-bismol too.

I went to my doctor and he said it was nicotine withdrawal. He said I could use the Ativan once or twice a day, but I won't. I surely do not want another drug from which to withdraw! Out of the last eight days, I've had some combo of the above symptoms, and used the Ativan three times. I'm hoping the anxiety will lessen, at least knowing why I'm having it helps.

Meditation also seems to lower the blood pressure and calm things for awhile. I also intend to drink more water and exercise every day. Best of luck and peace to all of us struggling.

anon950722

I'm on day four. I assume that you quit cold turkey. After two weeks things should get a lot easier. I've quit before, so I know what I'm in for. Stay strong.

anon334574

I chewed tobacco for more than 11 years and now I have left it, I'm getting withdrawal symptoms one after the other.

Sometimes I have diarrhea, sometimes a stiff neck, stiff back muscles, my blood pressure shoots up when I stand and it falls drastically when I lie down. I have vertigo, and a dizzy sensation almost all day. In between, I get panic attacks and some things which can't be explained. I don't know when it's going to end.

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    • Sucking on hard candy may help relieve nicotine cravings.
      By: Bert Folsom
      Sucking on hard candy may help relieve nicotine cravings.
    • Nicotine gum, which can help with nicotine withdrawal.
      By: vlorzor
      Nicotine gum, which can help with nicotine withdrawal.
    • Chewing tobacco.
      By: robhainer
      Chewing tobacco.
    • Exercise helps with nicotine withdrawal.
      By: iko
      Exercise helps with nicotine withdrawal.
    • Having readily available healthy snacks like celery sticks can help stave off nicotine cravings.
      By: andersphoto
      Having readily available healthy snacks like celery sticks can help stave off nicotine cravings.
    • Nicotine patches can help people gradually wean themselves from the chemical.
      By: alco81
      Nicotine patches can help people gradually wean themselves from the chemical.
    • Someone who tries to quit nicotine cold turkey typically are not successful.
      By: Photographee.eu
      Someone who tries to quit nicotine cold turkey typically are not successful.