Advice on Coping with Withdrawal

It is common for smokers who stop smoking to suffer from withdrawal symptoms. It is important for the health professional to reassure their patients/clients, that these symptoms are only temporary. They should be viewed as positive signs of the body returning to a more healthy state.

These withdrawal symptoms are generally worse the week following cessation of smoking and will usually disappear after about two weeks.

Some of the common withdrawal symptoms are: irritability, difficulties in concentrating, sleeplessness, headaches, coughing, cravings, numbness in arms and legs, changes to appetite.

Increased irritability would probably be the symptom of most concern to most smokers who have ceased smoking. Letting family, colleagues, and friends know that you have stopped smoking, or are about to stop smoking, and asking them to be a bit more tolerant with you for a while, may be prudent.

The next page of this site gives you some strategies to stop and stay stopped.

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