When people use tobacco products on a regular basis, their bodies develop a need for nicotine. If they don't get nicotine, they start having nicotine withdrawal symptoms.

Withdrawal symptoms and cravings for nicotine vary from person to person. They often depend on how much nicotine a person is used to getting. The more nicotine the body is used to, the more severe symptoms are likely to be.

Symptoms of withdrawal include feeling:

• Irritated.
• Angry.
• Anxious.
• Restless.
• Sad or depressed.
• Hungrier than usual.

People going through withdrawal may find it hard to:

• Sleep.
• Deal with stress.
• Concentrate.

Nicotine withdrawal symptoms usually begin about 24 hours after a person quits smoking or using tobacco products. Symptoms are the worst in the first week or so after the person quits. The average length of time a person deals with withdrawal symptoms is 2 to 3 weeks. The craving for cigarettes and increased appetite can last for months.

Treatment for nicotine withdrawal includes medicines, counseling or support groups, a nutritious diet, and regular exercise.

By	Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer	John Hughes, MD - Psychiatry
Last Revised	July 22, 2009