SoberRecovery : Alcoholism Drug Addiction Help and Information - View Single Post

margo · 10-19-2005, 09:59 AM

Quit day is around the corner!

What to expect as you take your first step!

In just three days, you could start to change the rest of your life. Today is an important day to get ready to take back control of your life from smoking and cigarettes. Here are some things that can help you take this important first step.

Expect some withdrawal on quit day and for about a week afterwards, but be aware that cravings may not disappear entirely for weeks or months. As a smoker, your body came to depend on nicotine, likely over a period of many years. It will take time to break yourself of both the addiction and the habitual aspects of smoking.

To understand this addiction better, re-read the messages from Days 8, 12 and 14.

If you quit smoking suddenly without replacing part of that nicotine (through nicotine gum or patches), you will experience the effects of withdrawal. You may have physical and psychological reactions. For example, you will probably get cravings - a strong urge to smoke. You may also become irritable, nervous or depressed. Some people get muscle spasms, night sweats and hacking coughs.

Don't worry if any of these things happen to you. They are normal and expected. They are just signs that your body is adjusting and starting to cleanse itself. They are signs that you are on your way to achieving your goal.

Reactions vary from one person to another. Women are often affected more than men because of the way female bodies process nicotine. Reactions are also influenced by how addicted you are. If you smoked less than ten cigarettes a day, you might not feel any withdrawal symptoms at all. If you smoked more, you may notice more effects. But no matter what symptoms you get, remember that physical withdrawal usually lasts less than one week. Look ahead, stay focused, and don't give in!

© Health Canada

10-19-2005, 09:59 AM	#27 (permalink)
margo Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: North Vancouver, British Columbia Posts: 1,727	DAY 18 - Getting ready Quit day is around the corner! What to expect as you take your first step! In just three days, you could start to change the rest of your life. Today is an important day to get ready to take back control of your life from smoking and cigarettes. Here are some things that can help you take this important first step. Expect some withdrawal on quit day and for about a week afterwards, but be aware that cravings may not disappear entirely for weeks or months. As a smoker, your body came to depend on nicotine, likely over a period of many years. It will take time to break yourself of both the addiction and the habitual aspects of smoking. To understand this addiction better, re-read the messages from Days 8, 12 and 14. If you quit smoking suddenly without replacing part of that nicotine (through nicotine gum or patches), you will experience the effects of withdrawal. You may have physical and psychological reactions. For example, you will probably get cravings - a strong urge to smoke. You may also become irritable, nervous or depressed. Some people get muscle spasms, night sweats and hacking coughs. Don't worry if any of these things happen to you. They are normal and expected. They are just signs that your body is adjusting and starting to cleanse itself. They are signs that you are on your way to achieving your goal. Reactions vary from one person to another. Women are often affected more than men because of the way female bodies process nicotine. Reactions are also influenced by how addicted you are. If you smoked less than ten cigarettes a day, you might not feel any withdrawal symptoms at all. If you smoked more, you may notice more effects. But no matter what symptoms you get, remember that physical withdrawal usually lasts less than one week. Look ahead, stay focused, and don't give in! © Health Canada __________________ Sometimes I go about in pity for myself, and all the while a great wind is bearing me across the sky. ~Ojibwe saying~