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Home , Nicotine dependence, Nicotine withdrawal

dependence and withdrawal

. . ) CESSATION TOBACCO Quitline on 13 7848 (13 QUIT) Read the Products that help you quit fact sheet available on www.health.nsw.gov.au Products(Search: help that quit you pharmacist your doctor, to orTalk cessation advisor. • • • Contact Nicotine People experience nicotine withdrawal differently. Some people findit more challengingthan others. Many people find nicotinewithdrawal worst is in the first24 - 48 hoursof quitting. Most people experience some the of symptoms of nicotine withdrawal and they usually don’t all happen at once. Withdrawal occurs time over as your body begins get to rid its of dependence on nicotine. It helps think to the of nicotine withdrawal symptoms as ‘recovery symptoms.’ After about two weeks, recovery symptoms are usually less severe. Using nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) products (patch, gum, lozenge, oral inhalator, strips and mouth can dramaticallyspray) reduce symptoms nicotine of withdrawal, provided you use enough NRT each control withdrawal to day symptoms and cravings and consistently use NRT for 8-12 weeks. For more on NRT productsinformation and prescription medications assist to quitting.

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Do you smoke within 30 minutes waking? of Do you smoke 10 or more each day? Did you experience cravings and withdrawals last time you tried quit? to Read the Getting ready to quit smoking fact sheet available on www.health.nsw.gov.au your doctor to Talk Call the Quitline on 13 7848 (13 QUIT) (Search: Getting(Search: ready quit smoking to The about good news quitting Quitting smoking has immediate and long-term health benefits.yourFrom first ofday quitting your body begins repair to itself. Within yourdays smell and taste improves and your breathing improves making Within easier. exercise one nine to months, coughing and shortness breath of also decrease. • • • If you answered these of any to yes questions then you are dependent on nicotine. There are things you can help do to you prepare for quitting and assist you on your quit journey such as: you are dependent on nicotine: 1. 2. 3. Are you nicotine dependent? nicotine you Are These three questions can help you decide if Tobacco contains more than 7,000 chemicals that are harmful to people people to harmful are that chemicals than 7,000 more contains Tobacco the is Nicotine cause cancer. to known are that chemicals 70 including dependent are on nicotine you if Knowing tobacco. in chemical addictive can you help withdrawal nicotine of about the symptoms and knowing quitting. while manage better to

andwithdrawal Nicotine Nicotine dependence and withdrawal Symptoms of nicotine withdrawal Irritability and Appetite changes You might feel irritable or anxious. These feelings Some people start to feel hungrier when they can be made worse by . Smoking reduces quit smoking. This is because nicotine can suppress the effect of caffeine and when you quit you become your appetite. Drink plenty of water and make more sensitive to the effects of caffeine. Try to halve sure that you eat a healthy diet with plenty of fresh your usual caffeine intake by drinking half as much fruit and vegetables. coffee, tea, energy drinks and cola. Relaxing As you start feeling more energetic and breathing activities, such as taking a short break from work becomes easier, gradually increase your physical or going for a walk, can also help. activity. This will help you to maintain a healthy Difficulty concentrating weight. The changes that are happening in your body and Remember cravings for cigarettes may make it more difficult • If you are concerned about any of these to concentrate. This can start to improve after a few symptoms talk to your doctor or phone days as your brain adjusts to getting more oxygen. Quitline on 13 7848 (13 QUIT). It might help to do tasks in small ‘bite-size’ chunks. • Nicotine withdrawal can be a challenge, Take regular breaks and do something active to clear especially in the first few days or weeks your mind. Your concentration levels will improve of quitting. over time. • Most withdrawal symptoms will have gone or be more manageable within the first few Restlessness and weeks of quitting. Some people feel as though they can’t sit still and • Long term benefits of quitting outweigh need to move about or do something with their the short term discomfort of nicotine hands. You can use this in a positive way by doing withdrawal symptoms. some physical activity that you enjoy. Some people • Stay positive and be kind to yourself while also find it harder to sleep when they’re quitting you’re experiencing ‘recovery symptoms’. (insomnia). Restlessness and insomnia are made • Use of NRT (patches, gum, lozenges, worse by caffeine. Halving caffeine intake helps. inhalator, oral strips and mouth spray) can dramatically reduce your symptoms of Cravings nicotine withdrawal. Cravings are a normal part of quitting. They last • Most people undertake a number of quit usually no more than a few minutes. Some people attempts before succeeding. Keep this in experience a series of cravings and this can be very mind and keep going and you will succeed. challenging. As time passes, your cravings will usually be less strong, be shorter and happen less often.

Some people keep a diary to record how they feel, For help with quitting smoking contact including how often and strong their cravings are. the Quitline 13 7848 (13 QUIT) or speak This can help to show that things are improving. with your health professional. Talking to Quitline (13 7848) can help you with ideas on how to manage your cravings. Visit the websites: www.icanquit.com.au and www.quitnow.gov.au Dizziness Smoking raises your blood pressure over time. When you stop smoking, your blood pressure can drop quite quickly in the first few days of a quit attempt, so that if you stand up too quickly, you may feel dizzy for a short time. This usually passes in a few days. 150361 www.health.nsw.gov.au SHPN (CPH)