Medicines for Nicotine withdrawal

What it is

Nicotine, found in cigarettes and other tobacco and nicotine products, is highly addictive, and regular use leads to physical dependence. When a person stops or cuts down, withdrawal symptoms occur as the body adjusts to being without nicotine. This is a normal part of quitting, and while the symptoms can be uncomfortable, they are temporary and improve over time. Common nicotine withdrawal symptoms include strong cravings or urges to smoke or use nicotine, irritability, restlessness or agitation, difficulty concentrating, anxiety or low mood, increased appetite, and difficulty sleeping. Cravings and other symptoms are often strongest in the first few days after stopping, usually peak in the first week, and then ease over the following weeks; cravings become less frequent and less intense over time, though occasional urges may persist for a while, sometimes triggered by particular situations or cues. Understanding that withdrawal is temporary, and that the symptoms will pass, helps in getting through the early stages of quitting. Importantly, there is a great deal of effective help available to manage withdrawal and improve the chances of quitting successfully — including stop-smoking medicines and nicotine replacement, and support services. Stopping smoking is one of the best things a person can do for their health, and the discomfort of withdrawal is temporary and manageable, while the benefits of quitting are large and lasting. So although withdrawal can be challenging, quitting is very achievable with the right support.

How it is treated

Managing nicotine withdrawal and quitting successfully is greatly helped by using effective support and aids, which reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms and improve the chances of stopping for good — combining medication or nicotine replacement with behavioural support works best. Helpful approaches include: using stop-smoking aids — nicotine replacement therapy (such as patches, gum, lozenges, inhalators, sprays), which supply nicotine without the harmful smoke and ease withdrawal, or stop-smoking medicines prescribed by a health professional, and, for many, vapes/e-cigarettes are used as a tool to help quit smoking; getting support from a local stop-smoking service, GP, or pharmacist, which significantly increases success and provides advice, encouragement, and access to treatments; and using behavioural strategies to cope with cravings and triggers — such as recognising that cravings pass within a few minutes, keeping busy, changing routines that are associated with smoking, avoiding or managing triggers, staying active, and finding other ways to cope with stress. Preparing for quitting (setting a quit date, planning, and telling others for support), and dealing with any weight gain or mood changes constructively, help too. It is worth remembering that lapses are common and are not failures — getting back on track is what matters. The reassuring messages are that nicotine withdrawal is temporary and improves over a few weeks, that a lot of effective help is available (stop-smoking aids and support services), which greatly improves the chances of quitting, and that stopping smoking brings large, lasting health benefits — so getting support to quit is one of the most valuable things a person can do. Anyone wanting to quit is encouraged to seek support from stop-smoking services.