As long as you understand that this is just a stage and what you’re feeling is normal, you can ride through the hard times and settle into feeling more confident without cigarettes. Some people describe giving up smoking as feeling like you’re losing a friend. Making big changes in your life can naturally lead to heightened emotions. In the first days and weeks when you quit smoking, the emotional ups and downs could feel like a rollercoaster ride. It’s important to talk with your doctor about stopping smoking if you drink alcohol. Cutting down on drinks or foods with caffeine when you stop smoking is recommended. For more tips go to Craving a Cigarette Right Now External Link ?Ĭaffeine (for example, in coffee, chocolate and cola soft drinks) and alcohol are also affected by tobacco smoke. It might also help to use nicotine replacement therapy External Link or prescribed stop smoking tablets.
#Easy ways to quit drinking professional
If you have severe or long-lasting symptoms, it might help to discuss them with a health professional or a Quitline External Link counsellor. cold symptoms such as coughing and sneezingĪs time passes, you will find these symptoms grow weaker, and you will think about smoking less.
Less common symptoms you may experience – which will also pass – include: Better Health Channel has tips on managing weight gain when you quit.
increase in appetite and weight gain – this may last several weeks. Just accept that you will be emotional for a while and that it will pass irritability, anger, anxiety, depressed mood – this is all normal: don’t panic. restlessness and trouble concentrating or sleeping – these will pass as your body gets used to not smoking. If you resist each one they will get less powerful in time cravings – these may be strong at first, but they usually only last a few minutes. Symptoms when you quit smokingĬommon symptoms you may experience during your recovery include: Remember, it will pass, and you will feel better if you hang on and quit for good. Symptoms tend to come and go over that time. Many people find withdrawal symptoms disappear completely after two to four weeks, although for some people they may last longer. While withdrawal can be challenging, it can help if you look at the symptoms as signs that your body is recovering from the damage smoking has caused. Some people have only a few mild symptoms when they quit but others find it harder. There may be medications that can ease the process for you and increase your chances of success.įor more information on finding an effective path to recovery, check out Overcoming Addiction, a Special Health Report from Harvard Medical School.When you decide to quit smoking, it can help to find out what to expect as you work through the process. Also, you might want to consider talking to your health care provider about the method of quitting that is best for you. If you buy drugs, you should consider telling your dealer that you are quitting ask your dealer not to call you and not to sell you drugs anymore. If they use your object of addiction, ask them not to do so in front of you. Create a support network. Talk to your family and friends and ask for their encouragement and sup-port. Consider what might have contributed to relapse and make changes accordingly.ĥ. Review your past attempts at quitting. Think about what worked and what did not. Be prepared to deal with things that trigger your cravings, such as being in an environment where others are using.Ĥ. Distract yourself. Instead of giving in to an urge to use, come up with alternative activities, such as going for a walk or calling a friend or family member to talk, so that you keep busy until the urge passes. Also, don't let other people use or bring reminders of the addiction-related substance or behavior into your home.ģ. If you're trying to quit gambling, remove any playing cards, scratch tickets, or poker chips. If you are trying to quit drinking, get rid of any alcohol, bottle openers, wine glasses, and corkscrews. For example, separate from those who would encourage you to be involved with the object of your addiction (drug, alcohol, or behavior). Change your environment. Remove any reminders of your addiction from your home and workplace. Set a quit date. It might be helpful to choose a meaningful date like a special event, birthday, or anniversary.Ģ. 
You have the greatest chance of success if you adopt all five steps.ġ. Research shows that the following steps can help you move toward your recovery goals. Because change is so difficult, it's useful to have a guide when attempting to kick an addiction to drugs, alcohol or behavior.
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