How to Deal with Nicotine Withdrawal Symptoms

How to Deal with Nicotine Withdrawal Symptoms

Nicotine is a drug. There is no way to sugarcoat that fact. Just like any other drug a person is addicted to, there are various withdrawal symptoms associated with stopping.

Nicotine is very addictive and has typically been associated with traditional cigarettes. However, over the last few years, e-cigarettes have risen to the top of our minds when it comes to nicotine addiction. These products have been championed as being able to help people quit smoking, but we now know that they present significant dangers in their own right.

Most e-cigarette and vape devices deliver a higher concentration of nicotine than traditional cigarettes and nowhere is that more visible than with JUUL, the most popular e-cigarette device on the market. JUUL delivers a 5% nicotine solution liquid pod. One liquid pod, according to JUUL, contains as much nicotine as 20 cigarettes. If you’ve experienced illness due to nicotine devices, don’t hesitate to contact the e-cigarette vaping illness lawyers at Bentley & More, LLP for a free case consultation.

What are the nicotine withdrawal symptoms?

When a person quits smoking or vaping, their body is going to react to the lack of nicotine. The side effects of nicotine withdrawal can include the following:

• Feeling irritable, restless, or jittery
• Having headaches
• Increased sweating
• Having trouble thinking clearly or concentrating
• Having trouble sleeping
• Feeling hungry
• Having intense cravings for e-cigarettes or traditional cigarettes
• Feeling sad or upset
• Feeling anxious
• Feeling tired or groggy

How to manage nicotine withdrawal

Everyone experiences nicotine withdrawal differently. For many people, quitting traditional or electronic cigarettes can be incredibly difficult. The good news is that the uncomfortable withdrawal feelings will go away over time as long as a person stays away from nicotine.

There are several strategies that a person can use to help cope with nicotine withdrawal symptoms. This includes the following:

• Speak to a professional. Talking to a doctor or other healthcare professional about a plan to quit nicotine can be helpful.
• Stay hydrated. You will want to drink plenty of water throughout the day. Water can help ease certain symptoms of nicotine withdrawal, such as headaches, fatigue, hunger, etc.
• Eat healthy. Many people feel hungrier after they quit nicotine. Keep some healthy snacks on you at all times to help combat these cravings.
• Exercise. Physical activity is one of the best ways to help combat nicotine cravings. If you can train your brain to enjoy exercise, which is a natural way to boost endorphins, you will be one step ahead of the nicotine craving. This can be as simple as taking a walk around the block when you get a craving. You could also consider going to the gym regularly.
• Have simple distractions. Nicotine cravings will pass if you give them a few moments. Have simple distractions nearby for when the cravings hit. This could include playing a short game on your smartphone, listening to music, writing in a journal, and more. You may also want to carry a little “stress squeeze ball” around with you for when the cravings hit.
• Know your triggers. Many people know they get cravings certain times of the day or after doing certain things such as eating, going to class, waking up, etc. By understanding when you will have a craving, you will be prepared.
• Celebrate milestones. Celebrate every milestone in which you have not had nicotine. Start with a one-hour nicotine-free celebration. Then a day. Then two days. Make it to a week. Throw a party at the one-month marker. You get the point – celebrate what you are doing because it is a big deal.