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Withdrawal symptoms
are the physical and mental changes that occur when a drug that
the body has grown used to - and adapted to cope with - such as nicotine
is reduced in dose or stopped.
The withdrawal symptoms are caused by the body continuing to act as
if the drug that it is dependent on were still there. Withdrawal
symptoms are always temporary because the body 'realises' the drug
has been taken away and gradually returns to normal functioning within
a few weeks.
Withdrawal symptoms are possibly worse for smokers who:
* Had a higher nicotine intake when smoking.
* Have had bad experience of withdrawal in the past.
* Are stressed or bored.
They can probably be reduced by:
* Taking exercise.
* Gradually reducing intake of the drug (Nicotine Replacement Therapy
can help with this).
* Getting away from the normal environment for a while.
* Eating sugary foods such as boiled sweets.
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Withdrawal
symptoms from chewing tobacco/dipping snuff are broadly similar to those
from cigarettes but probably less severe. Withdrawal symptoms from nicotine
gum appear to be less severe than from cigarettes.
Anxiety
Many ex-smokers found that they got more anxious when they first stopped.
Scientists now think that this is not a nicotine withdrawal symptom
but the stress of trying to stop smoking.
The good news is that smokers who stop completely for four weeks report
significant reduction in anxiety compared with their stress levels
before stopping. It is a myth that smoking reduces anxiety and stress.
Going back to smoking fewer cigarettes won't help reduce your anxiety
levels: smokers who continue to smoke at a low level usually find that
they are more anxious than they were before they tried to stop. The
way to permanently reduce your stress and anxiety levels is to stop altogether.
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| Other
symptoms and effects of smoking |
| The table
below shows some of the other main symptoms, how long they normally
last, and the percentage of smokers that experience them. |
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| Symptom
/ effect |
Length
of time usually
experienced for
|
Percentage
of smokers
who experience this symptom
when they stop |
| Irritability/aggression |
In
the first 4 weeks |
50% |
| Depression* |
In
the first 4 weeks |
60% |
| Restlessness |
In
the first 4 weeks or more |
60% |
| Poor
concentration |
In
the first 2 weeks |
60% |
| Increased
appetite |
First
10 weeks or more |
70% |
| Light-headedness |
In
the first 48 hours |
10% |
| Night-time
awakenings |
In
the first week |
25% |
| Urges
to smoke* |
In
the first 2 weeks or more |
70% |
| Drop
in heart rate (8 bpm ave.) |
Long-term
|
80% |
| Decreased
adrenaline |
Short-term |
not
known |
| Decreased
caffeine metabolism |
Long-term |
80% |
| Increased
weight** (6-8lbs ave.) |
Long-term |
80% |
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*More
severe cravings/urges and depression are associated with greater
risk of relapse, so if this happens to you see your GP, contact
your local specialist smoking cessation service and, if you can,
attend a smoke stop group as support is likely to help you overcome
these problems. |
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** Weight
gain is a worry for many people who are giving up smoking. The
good news is that the research has shown that greater weight gain
is related to lower risk of relapse! It may be better for you
and your health not to struggle against it with a reduced calorie
diet, although reducing fat intake and increasing in carbohydrate
content may help. However, one study did find that a very low
calorie diet in overweight smokers increased likelihood of being
able to stop smoking. If you are overweight or, if weight gain
is a problem for you talk to your local specialist service or
GP. |
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