I Have a Hard Time Quitting Smoking

by Joann Lorriane Brown
(Warrenton Mo)

I have a hard time quitting smoking because nicotine withdrawal is very intense and I'm going through depression because of it. I sleep a lot and I am very irritable, as it makes me very angry I am still a smoker. I've been a chain smoker for 38 years of my life and I want to quit smoking for my family and me.

What is the best way to go about it?

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I Have a Hard Time Quitting Smoking

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Feb 08, 2013

Timeline of Physical Withdrawal
by: Matt

You need to do some research.

I have never stated physical withdrawal lasts EXACTLY 3 weeks. Every quit experience is different. Every person is different.

When I say that physical withdrawal from nicotine lasts ABOUT 3 weeks, that's exactly what that means. It can be 5 days, it can be one month. But as a generalization, the experiences of physical withdrawal subside almost entirely after a 3-week period.

Look up other websites and see what they say.

Of course there is always going to be the one-off physical craving you'll get one year after quitting. But that doesn't mean you've been having cravings for the entire year leading up to that.

The CONSTANT cravings, the everyday stuff, THAT lasts about 3 weeks. You don't get constant everyday cravings for years. The main brunt of it is the worst in the beginning.

Yes, everyone is different. But as a generalization, what I say is true. It's at least something to be used as a benchmark for your own timeline, and what to potentially expect to happen once you quit.

Matt

Feb 05, 2013

Not True About Physical Withdrawal
by: Anonymous

You cannot say when 3 weeks have passed all physical withdrawals have passed. By saying that you clearly state that you know absolutely nothing about drug addiction or the human body when it comes to addiction.

I had a grandfather that quit smoking and he said he only had minor withdrawal and it only lasted about 4 days. You cannot make up a rule and say it counts for evrybody.

Just because some people die when they get stung by a bee doesen't mean everybody dies when they get stung by a bee. I myself got stung a couple of years ago and nothing really happened. I didnt die.

Drug addiction or nicotine addiction is the same thing. All people don't get addicted the same way or by the same amount.

Of course it doesn't last forever, but it can last more than 3 weeks or only a couple of days. Its mostly our genetics that determine how addicted we get.

Yes it is true psychological addiction also has a lot to say and that it can trigger physical addiction.

Also, if you read Allen Carr's story you'll see that on his first attempts he couldn't quit. But one day everything just fell in place in his mind and he says that quiting smoking has been very easy. No two human beings are the same.

Feb 01, 2013

Physical Withdrawal vs. Mental Withdrawal
by: Matt

I should've been more specific with what I was referring to.

The physical withdrawal from cigarettes lasts about 3 weeks. That's how long it takes for nicotine to completely leave your body for good. That's just a fact, give or take a few days.

Now the MENTAL withdrawal can last months and months. That is correct. If you've smoked for 30 years, you'll have 30 years of habits formed. You'll have 30 years of triggers involving every aspect of your life.

The mental withdrawal can last a very long time, yes. But the physical withdrawal, the aches and pains, only lasts about 3 weeks. You'll feel much better after that, or even before.

Good luck to everybody!

Dec 01, 2012

Not true
by: Anonymous

It is not true that withdrawal lasts only 3 weeks. We are all different. For some people when they quit smoking they almost have no withdrawal and for some it can last from 3 months to 6 months.

We are all geneticly different and some people gets more addicted while others do not. It has also something to do with the first time a person smokes if the first time was pleasurable it makes it even harder.

Nov 01, 2011

Steps To Take For Quitting Smoking
by: Matt

I know firsthand that nicotine withdrawal can be a beast. It's the worst apart about quitting, and it's why everyone starts back up. If no one went through withdrawal, everybody would be able to quit. Sadly, that is not the case.

So remember, you are not alone. Everybody goes through it. It also lasts only 3 weeks. It doesn't matter if you've been a smoker for 1 year, or 100 years, nicotine withdrawal still only lasts 3 weeks.

Can you make it 3 weeks? You've got to plan it out. Make sure there is nothing ahead of you to make you want to smoke. No concerts, no weddings, no big parties, no nothing. Take the first couple days off even. The less stress you put on yourself during those 3 weeks, the better.

..and BE READY! Don't go into it with a lazy attitude. You have to wake up on day 1 willing to do whatever it takes to not smoke during that day. The second you let your guard down, that's when nicotine strikes. You MUST be ready to quit.

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