Nicotine Withdrawal

Although nicotine is an addictive, very dangerous, poisonous drug, it is relatively easy to withdraw from. Most smokers perceive that they are 'addicted', or that there is something about cigarettes that make it very hard to give them up.

Unfortunately, this may act as a reason for continuing - 'I'm Just stuck'. That makes quitting harder than it ever needs to be. For that reason it is important to understand the true nature of nicotine addiction, and especially the part it plays in the overall process of cessation. Either way:

• before you can address this part of the problem you must first accept that you are 'stuck' or 'dependent' on your habit.

It never pays to kid yourself, and certainly not in the case of an addiction with life-threatening consequences. This a relatively mild form of addiction. It in fact represents a small part of the overall smoking habit and is usually a minor factor in successful smoking cessation.

Withdrawal, as with any form of drug addiction, involves simply stopping taking the drug. In the case of nicotine, the process is almost always painless although it usually involves different degrees of physical and psychological discomfort from person to person - for two or three days.

The person usually becomes nervous, agitated and irritable. Some say they feel a little edgy, and others experience no discomfort whatsoever. Most smokers are quite familiar with this sort of 'nicotine withdrawal' discomfort, which they have experienced perhaps hundreds of times. It is what they feel when they have to face a long period without a smoke, or cannot buy a pack because the shops are closed, or have to face a stressful situation without the comfort of a cigarette. It can sometimes be described as 'mild panic' such as a person with a phobia for heights experiences, and is likewise psychological rather than physical.

That means you cannot use your addiction as an excuse for not giving up smoking, but nor should you underestimate the ease with which you will get hooked again, even by smoking one cigarette. The best way to reduce that risk is to change the beliefs, habits and lifestyle that will make you vulnerable to relapse. You cannot separate the effects of nicotine withdrawal from the effects of changing the various habits associated with smoking. Both have mental as well as physical implications.