The thought of “quitting” is one of the most common among long-time smokers. And the most persecuted. What is there, beyond the line - without the usual ritual of “take it out of the pack, flick the lighter, take the first puff”?

And beyond this line - at least several days nicotine withdrawal, or withdrawal syndrome. Let's see how scary it is.

What is nicotine withdrawal syndrome?

In general, this is a normal physical and at the same time emotional reaction to the absence or severe reduction of the usual dose of nicotine. Especially if you smoked regularly, for a long time and in large quantities. Your daily pack of cigarettes has gradually become a tool for managing emotions, a way to concentrate, or a reason to take a break from work. It is natural that, having lost such a powerful support, you feel lost.

Although nicotine is completely legal psychoactive drug, but its toxic effects and addictive properties are quite comparable to those substances for which they are given real terms. Some smokers quite seriously claim that giving up alcohol or even cocaine is much easier.

Even worse, smoking is not only about the physical pleasure of the dose of nicotine, taste or smell tobacco smoke, it is also a powerful ritual, belonging to a “sect” and a way of escaping reality. Try and refuse.

So, no matter how you look at it, you will have to get through it. It is impossible to avoid unpleasant sensations. All that remains is to classify them and learn to deal with them.

Nicotine, like any psychoactive substance, affects people differently. Therefore, everyone experiences withdrawal symptoms differently - some are worse physically, others psychologically. But, as a rule, the following problems “cover” everyone:

• sleep problem - difficulty falling asleep or frequent awakening;
• anxiety, unreasonable worry, feeling of loss;
• irritability, mood swings, melancholy;
• difficulty concentrating; increased appetite.

And physical symptoms:

Constipation; increased cough; headache; a sore throat; dry mouth; runny nose.

And what to do with all this?

Frankly speaking, I will not discover America here. There are millions of tips and ways to survive withdrawal syndrome as less painfully as possible. For some, nicotine replacement therapy is suitable, for others - occupational therapy. Some people manage successfully without aids. One consolation: sooner or later everything will pass. But there are a few things that really help right now. Tested for myself.

1. You will still be tempted to “eat” unsmoked cigarettes. And in fact you won’t care what it is. Prepare yourself a plate of chopped vegetables and fruits and become a raw foodist for a few days. Oddly enough, stem celery personally brought me to my senses. It’s a terrible disgusting thing if you eat kilograms of it. Yes, a couple of bottles of still drinking water won’t hurt either - you can also wash down the desire to smoke.
2. Now there is a desperate lack of dopamine - that same neurotransmitter " Have a good mood", a dose of which we received for every cigarette we smoked. We urgently need to get it from other sources. Read jokes, watch all the stupidest comedies, chop wood, jump with a parachute. Now anything that is an alternative source of this substance will do.
3. Sleep. When you sleep, you usually don't smoke. Without the stimulating effect of nicotine, you get tired faster and want to sleep. Let yourself get caught up in this vicious circle, especially if your last cigarette happened on the eve of the weekend or vacation. And enjoy sleeping through this nasty time. If you want to sleep. If, on the contrary, you have the insomnia described above, there is absolutely no shame in drinking sedative fees for the night.
4. Breathe and take a break. The moment when you just unbearably want to smoke a cigarette lasts 3–5 minutes. If at this time you begin to inhale and exhale deeply, diligently counting these same inhalations and exhalations, you will feel a lot better. You can do something else to keep your hands busy so that you won’t be able to quit everything right now and run to smoke. Knitting helped me. I swore a lot, but I almost knitted a huge sweater with complex braids.
5. Feel free to talk about it. Yes, it's hard for you. Yes, you are disgusted. Yes, you are now ready to kill those around you. Yes, you are now performing a personal feat. Warn the world about your condition and ask it to take you into account. Usually he goes along with it.

And yes, good luck. Everything will work out.

Snezhana Shabanova

Photo istockphoto.com

Everyone knows that smoking significantly shortens one’s life. Active anti-tobacco propaganda and current smoking bans are bearing fruit. All more people thinking about how to leave addiction forever. But for many, such plans remain in their thoughts.

Not everyone heavy smokers It's easy to quit smoking. After all, the nicotine component of a cigarette stimulates the functioning of the nervous, circulatory and respiratory system, takes part in metabolism. Nicotine withdrawal syndrome prevents people from forgetting about smoking without any problems. The body cannot adapt to a nicotine-free regime and pushes the person back into the arms of cigarettes.

Smoking withdrawal syndrome is called "nicotine withdrawal" and occurs after quitting cigarettes.

Smoking withdrawal syndrome is manifested by an irresistible urge to smoke after quitting cigarettes. Tobacco smoking causes serious addiction in the body on a psychological and physical level. When nicotine penetrates the body, the smoker feels euphoria and a surge of strength (these are echoes of the effects nicotine substance on the central nervous system).

The essence of nicotine withdrawal

The nervous system quickly forms conditioned reflex: you smoke - you enjoy. This is how addiction develops on a psychological level. Only the smoker himself can cope with such a reflex, using willpower and the desire to stop ruining his health.

When quitting smoking, psychologists advise replacing the lost “pleasure” reflex with another, no less pleasant, but healthier. For example, sports, dancing, jogging or any hobbies.

Withdrawal syndrome when quitting smoking is called “nicotine withdrawal” by narcologists.

Nicotine actively participates in all metabolic processes human body. It interferes with the work of literally every cell. It also actively affects the entire peripheral nervous system. With a long period of smoking, this becomes a common norm.

Withdrawal symptoms

A person smokes to feel good. A dependence is formed on physiological level. When trying to quit smoking, the entire body will have to adapt to a new mode of functioning, without the participation of a nicotine stimulant. This is sometimes almost impossible.

How long does nicotine withdrawal last?

Nicotine withdrawal is expressed in many unpleasant symptoms. Duration and brightness this process individual for each person. They depend on:

1. Age.
2. Smoking experience.
3. Gender of a person.
4. Availability of motivation.
5. Health conditions.
6. Genetic factors.
7. Number of cigarettes consumed per day.

A person can even psychologically and unconsciously influence the appearance of nicotine withdrawal. He, having studied all subsequent possible discomfort, involuntarily sets himself up for difficulties. The smoker inspires himself with the idea that it will definitely be difficult and difficult to quit smoking, thereby provoking the development of of this syndrome.

Risk factors for nicotine withdrawal

Experts consider adolescent smoking to be a risk factor for the development of pronounced withdrawal syndrome. Young personalities, trying to look older and more presentable, with their characteristic frivolity, do not think about sad consequences smoking In people who started smoking in childhood, the risk of developing nicotine withdrawal is very high.

Statistics sadly show that the craving for cigarettes is rapidly becoming younger. Modern people They try their first puff at the age of 10-12 years. According to Rospotrebnadzor, about 30% of school-age children are smokers.

Risk factors for the development of severe withdrawal syndrome include the presence of chronic pathologies. Moreover, an experienced smoker, as a rule, even has more than one chronic disease. It is difficult to find completely healthy people among such people. This fact leads to complex and prolonged nicotine withdrawal.

Symptoms of nicotine withdrawal syndrome

Nicotine withdrawal has no single symptomatic complex. There are several most common manifestations that most people who quit smoking complain about. But in any case, it will be impossible to predict whether they will appear in a given individual or not.

Nicotine withdrawal is complicated by the fact that tobacco dependence is formed at the level of psychological consciousness

It is difficult to explain how long unpleasant symptoms will haunt a person - everything is too individual. Frequent complaints about quitting smoking include the following:

Neurological ailments. Changes in the functioning of the cardiovascular system are involved in their development. This:

• headache;
• dizziness;
• weakness and lethargy;
• increased drowsiness.

After stopping nicotine, which stimulated blood pressure, blood vessels forced to adapt to new way. Which leads to such manifestations.

Mood changes. These disorders are associated with a lack of neurotransmitters in the brain. If, during smoking, nicotine actively contributed to the production of “joy” hormones, then after the absence of a stimulus, the brain takes time to begin to form hormones on its own. Until this moment, the former smoker is persecuted by:

• nervousness;
• insomnia, poor sleep;
• depressive states;
• constant feeling of lack of sleep;
• lack of a joyful perception of the world;
• asthenic manifestations (incontinence of emotions, intolerance external stimuli: sound, light, smell).

Besides negative factors When quitting smoking, positive dynamics are observed in the body

Increased appetite. One of the most common and characteristic symptoms of nicotine withdrawal. There are two reasons for the constant desire to eat after quitting cigarettes:

1. Lack of necessary nicotine, which previously actively stimulated metabolism.
2. Developed stress from loss of habitual smoking. And most people are accustomed to “eating” any stress with delicious food.

Gastrointestinal problems. The absence of the usual nicotine stimulant leads to constipation and stool disorders, a feeling of pain in the peritoneum. After all, when smoking, nicotine is a stimulant of peristalsis; after its absence, the intestines need time to rebuild and function healthy.

Nicotine withdrawal calendar

Smoking withdrawal syndrome passes quite smoothly, without tormenting a person with sudden jumps unpleasant symptoms. How exactly this withdrawal manifests itself can be seen in the table below:

After the first month of quitting cigarettes, symptoms physical dependence fades out. But the mental habit is still very strong. For six months a person will be tempted to smoke. He has vivid memories of how wonderful it was to smoke and enjoy the fragrant smoke.

The period from the second to the third month is the most difficult psychologically. According to statistics, it is at this time that people return to smoking again.

The vast majority of former smokers note that the withdrawal syndrome reaches its greatest peak 4-7 days after quitting the bad habit. This is exactly the moment when the body understands that there will be no more nicotine doping and it should readjust to healthy level work.

It is at this turning point that you should make every effort not to smoke again. In this case everything internal systems They will slowly begin to “remember” their healthy existence and work in a new way.

How to help with withdrawal symptoms

To alleviate the negative effects, many former smokers use nicotine replacement therapy. This method Doctors recommend it to those people who have a long history of smoking, and the number of cigarettes smoked per day varied from one pack. What is used in this case?

1. Nicotine chewing gum(Nicorette, Nicotinell).
2. Nicotine patches (Nicotinell, Nicorette, Nikquitin).
3. Nicotine spray inhalers (Antitabak, Nicorette).

In other cases, the use of these funds is not required. In most cases, nicotine withdrawal occurs smoothly and does not cause any particular inconvenience to the former smoker.

What is the first stage in the treatment of nicotine withdrawal?

It is very important during the period of restructuring the body to a healthy level of work to pay attention to your own well-being. If processes become too painful and intolerable, consult a doctor immediately.

At severe cough You should consult a therapist; if you suffer from dizziness and migraines, you should visit a neurologist. When quitting nicotine, a person can begin to develop many diseases.

Experienced narcologists advise getting more sleep during withdrawal symptoms. A person is already drawn to sleep due to the physical manifestations of nicotine withdrawal. And in a dream cope with negative manifestations easier and faster. Some experts recommend quitting smoking during a cold..

It has been noted that in this case, the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal will be very mild or completely absent. This is explained by the fact that when an illness occurs, the body devotes all its strength to fighting the disease, and there is simply no strength left to exhibit withdrawal symptoms.

After the end of your illness, devote more time to sports and active physical exercise. This will help the body cope with nicotine withdrawal faster. Don't forget about your growing appetite these days. To avoid gaining excess weight, review and adjust your diet.

In the first month of the syndrome, it is recommended to drink more, take vitamins, consume more fermented milk products, and switch to vegetables and fruits. Love the bathhouse too - the sauna with its healing climate will help the body return to normal faster. Good luck!

Smoker withdrawal syndrome is a very common phenomenon. Everyone who decides to quit their addiction faces this. The syndrome manifests itself during the period of quitting smoking due to addiction to active substance nicotine.

How does smoker withdrawal syndrome occur?

Nicotine withdrawal syndrome, or as it is also called withdrawal syndrome, appears within a couple of hours after the last cigarette has been smoked. It is impossible to specify exactly the time frame for which the illness will last, because it is very individual and depends on how many cigarettes a person is used to smoking and what his physical condition is. Therefore, the period of withdrawal symptoms when quitting smoking can range from several weeks to several months.

The symptoms of smoker withdrawal syndrome are known to many cigarette lovers. If for some reason for a long time there was no opportunity to smoke, every smoker experienced something similar:

1. cough;
2. dyspnea;
3. feeling tired and unwell;
4. feeling sick or increased appetite;
5. tachycardia, high or low blood pressure;
6. changes psychological nature: irritability, depression;
7. insomnia;
8. trembling hands and convulsions;
9. craving for cigarettes;
10. sometimes constipation.

It is also worth noting that not only the duration of nicotine withdrawal, but also its manifestations can also be different. For example, some people, having some chronic diseases, are at risk of developing complications.

But don't be afraid of difficulties. The body has suffered significant damage for a long time cigarette smoke, nicotine and other harmful substances. There is no need to be afraid of complications and difficulties, you need to overcome them.

Try not to pay too much attention or focus on the symptoms. Be mentally prepared, show willpower and resolutely give up your bad habit!

What leads to withdrawal symptoms

The discomfort that occurs after quitting smoking is not as significant as after drugs and alcohol. But nicotine also significantly affects the smoker’s body, so its absence makes the smoker suffer. The body has developed an addiction to nicotine and worked in conditions of its presence, but now it needs to be rebuilt, which causes withdrawal.

It should also be mentioned that nicotine addiction affects not only work internal organs, but also on the psychological state of a person. This contributes to the appearance of cravings. Nicotine promotes the production of adrenaline, thereby improving a person’s mood and well-being by affecting the nervous system.

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Thus, the body develops a clear understanding that after smoking a cigarette the condition improves, and the absence of nicotine causes malaise and irritability. This makes you reach for a cigarette again.

We have seen how psychological dependence manifests itself, but the physiological problems are much larger. Tobacco harmful substances, entering the body, stimulate the functioning of all organs; nicotine affects the functioning of the nervous system. That is, all these substances stimulate biochemical processes, without them the body begins to “go on strike” and can no longer perform its functions without help harmful substances contained in a cigarette. This leads a person to smoke so that their body can function normally.

How to eliminate smoker withdrawal syndrome

Smoking withdrawal syndrome can be cured, but first of all, the person himself must want it, try to overcome difficulties and have a firm decision to get rid of the bad habit forever. The most important point in treatment is patience. Doctors recommend distracting yourself, finding something interesting to do, and doing physical exercise and sports. If you have a strong craving for a cigarette, interrupt it with seeds, chewing gum or candy.

If all attempts to quit smoking are in vain, and smoker withdrawal syndrome has severe symptoms, it is better to seek help from a professional. A specialist in this field can prescribe special pills that can replace the nicotine required by the body. Such drugs include Tabex, Brizantine, Adaptol and others. If it has noticeably worsened mental condition, you need to take antidepressants. In addition, during such a difficult period of quitting cigarettes, nicotine patches and electronic cigarettes are used.

If chronic diseases appear during smoker withdrawal syndrome, you should immediately consult a doctor. You need to undergo a specialized course of treatment under the supervision of a specialist. Some resort to psychotherapy, which significantly alleviates psychological suffering.

Consequences of smoker withdrawal syndrome

If a smoker's withdrawal syndrome has serious symptoms, then after quitting a bad habit, complications in physiological or psychological state. For example, shortness of breath, cough, frequent illnesses, bronchitis, etc. Often all these problems are accompanied by depression.

Very often, after giving up a bad habit, a person begins to cough. When a person inhales cigarette smoke, a spasm occurs in the lungs - defensive reaction body. When a person quits smoking, the spasm goes away and the bronchi open, trying to clear themselves of harmful substances. This contributes to the appearance of cough.

In addition, it is known that infections get into the dilated bronchi much more often, and if the immune system is weakened after prolonged smoking, this happens even more easily. That is why bronchitis and respiratory diseases are common among smokers.

Sometimes smoker withdrawal symptoms can lead to small mouth ulcers. This is due to poor immunity in this part of the body due to the harmful effects of tobacco smoke. During smoking, nicotine plays the role of an antiseptic, so the smoker does not develop ulcers. But as soon as nicotine stops entering the oral cavity after quitting the addiction, infections can appear.

It’s not easy psychologically after quitting smoking. Depression, irritability, fatigue, Bad mood- all this accompanies the first time after eliminating a bad habit due to the fact that adrenaline ceases to be produced with the help of nicotine, the access of which to the body has ceased.

Sometimes the so-called withdrawal syndrome develops into substitution syndrome. That is, a person tries to replace one bad habit with another. For example, giving up cigarettes ex-smoker can switch to food that improves mood and distracts from illness, helping to forget about discomfort at least for a while.

Pseudo-withdrawal syndrome

This condition occurs when the usual schedule or duration of smoking is disrupted. The symptoms accompanying this phenomenon are basically the same as those of smoker withdrawal syndrome. In such a situation, it is recommended to drink a glass cool water, maybe with some soothing herbs, make a couple physical exercise or relax. If these tips do not help and the body continues to demand a cigarette, then all that remains is to make a choice: smoke or finally give up the bad habit.

How long does smoker withdrawal last?

The more smoking experience a person has, the more difficult it is to get rid of the addiction, which means the longer the period of the syndrome will last. But don't forget about self-hypnosis. If you set yourself up correctly, you will enlist the support of loved ones and use willpower and desire, this process will take place as quickly and painlessly as possible.

You can try to fight your bad habit on your own or cope with your illness with help. special drugs that reduce suffering. But still, the main thing in all this is a great desire and desire, then you will definitely succeed!

A little about secrets..

The dangerous effects of smoking on the body have been known for a long time, so many smokers one day decide for themselves that they need to get rid of nicotine addiction. Many sources report that smoking only causes emotional dependence, and withdrawal is another invention of people who do not want to part with bad habit. But unfortunately, nicotine withdrawal does exist. Of course, it is not at all like drug or alcohol withdrawal syndrome, but it still exists.

Nicotine withdrawal

When a person decides to quit smoking, within an hour after giving up he begins to be tormented by a wild desire to light a cigarette. This craving intensifies every hour. Scientists have discovered that if a quitter has cigarettes left, he may well delay the time to smoke, and his body can easily tolerate this. If there are no supplies, the urge to smoke becomes unbearable. Although, in the presence of cigarettes, a dependent person is able to fight cravings only for a few hours.

A feature of nicotine withdrawal is its rapid onset.

Already from the first day, the patient experiences an irresistible feeling; he is bothered by the following symptoms:

• Anxiety;
• Emotional stress;
• Excessive irritability;
• Depression and difficulty concentrating;
• A smoker experiences hand tremors;
• Headache;
• The pressure begins to jump;
• Shortness of breath and cough;
• Hunger increases, which cannot be eaten with food or washed down with coffee.

Such signs arise due to the cessation of nicotine entering the body, causing the body to begin to restore its normal activity.

When quitting smoking, the body and nervous system undergo an adaptation period and learn to live again without nicotine stimulation. There are also people who have avoided nicotine withdrawal syndrome. Usually, when throwing, such persons had some kind of distracting factor such as new love, illness, birth of a child, stress, etc.

How long does it last

The duration of nicotine withdrawal may vary for each smoker because this state is largely determined by the number of cigarettes smoked per day and the overall length of addiction. There are several stages of nicotine withdrawal syndrome.

First day

Already after an hour from the moment of giving up cigarettes, the smoker begins to experience nicotine hunger, which first manifests itself as a desire to smoke, which after a couple of hours causes significant discomfort. After 6-8 hours have passed since the last smoke break, the patient develops causeless anxiety, impaired concentration and irritability.

Nicotine stops entering the smoker’s body, which is why all of the above manifestations occur. Average similar condition bothers the smoker for several hours. Symptoms gradually increase, become intense and become acute phase apogee.

Apogee

This stage of nicotine withdrawal usually occurs on the second or third day after quitting cigarettes and lasts for 3-4 weeks. These days, the smoker has only one thought - whether to smoke or not to smoke.

The patient's condition appears:

• Severe irritability;
• Hot temper;
• Intemperance, in some ways even ferocity;
• The smoker falls into deep depression, often accompanied by suicidal feelings.

The onset of the apogee is due to the fact that the body experiences an acute deficiency of nicotine. Not only does it not come from outside with cigarette smoke, but regular smoking also stops its production in the body. In addition, the physiological need for a dose of nicotine is significantly aggravated by the need of a psychological nature, because the smoker really enjoys smoking.

After about three to four days of the apogee of nicotine withdrawal, the body, or more precisely, the liver, resumes the production of its own nicotine, necessary for full organic activity. Although the craving for smoking still remains. The reason is that during smoking, specific nicotine receptors are formed in the brain. After quitting cigarettes, they begin to gradually die off. If the smoking experience is ten or more years, then the duration of their dying off can last for several years.

Due to the insidiousness of these receptors, many return to their addiction again, although 2-3 years have already passed since quitting. It’s just that nicotine receptors signal that there will be relaxation after smoking.

The climax period for women is somewhat calmer, although they also experience anxiety and causeless irritability. Therefore, it is not possible to accurately answer the questions of how long withdrawal lasts and how long it takes to pass.

Month

At the end of the apogee, all symptoms of nicotine withdrawal disappear, although the desire to smoke still bothers the patient. General state smoker's condition improves, because after a week without smoking, the body starts detoxification processes of cleansing from nicotine. The results of cleansing are often accompanied by increased sputum production in the morning and an unpleasant sensation in the oral cavity.

During the first month after quitting cigarettes immune defense decreases, which increases the risk of infectious pathologies, and existing chronic pathologies may worsen. How long does it take for withdrawal to occur? By the end of a month of quitting cigarettes, physical nicotine dependence usually disappears. The psychological need for nicotine still remains.

The video explains how long nicotine withdrawal lasts:

How to make it easier

The processes of liberation from nicotine addiction are characterized by a particular duration, so you can get rid of the craving for cigarettes only after a year or two (depending on the experience). In the process of weaning off cigarettes, the smoker's character changes greatly, becoming unbearable. Experts explain such changes hormonal characteristics, comparing them with teenage nervous swings.

It is almost impossible to overcome and completely get rid of such manifestations. The body’s reaction to the absence of smoking will manifest itself in angry outbursts, violent outbursts, etc. Therefore, for relief, it is recommended to stay at home these days to avoid causeless outbursts in public.

To survive nicotine withdrawal, they resort to the help of many things like:

• Chewable pads;
• Tablets;
• Plasters;
• Electronic cigarettes, etc.

Some people recommend giving up cigarettes during illness, such as the flu or a cold. In such a situation, nicotine withdrawal syndrome practically does not manifest itself, because all organic reserves are used in the fight against the disease, and he simply does not have the strength to demand cigarettes.

Under the influence of illness and medications, you will feel sleepy, which is very beneficial. Get as much sleep as you can.

When the cold subsides, it is recommended to start running or doing fitness. During this period, the smoker is often worried about hunger, which he cannot extinguish with any food. Therefore, in order to defeat or at least reduce the symptoms, it is recommended to adhere to the principles proper nutrition, to avoid extra pounds. In the first month, it is recommended to take vitamins, drink more fluids, eat more fermented milk products and fruits, and visit the bathhouse more often.

There are vegetables that contain a small amount of nicotine - tomatoes, potatoes, cucumbers, eggplants and cauliflower. When does it occur irresistible craving smoke, then inhale deeply several times, then drink juice or water and call someone close to you. Conversation will distract you from thoughts about cigarettes. And this is perhaps all that can be done during nicotine withdrawal to cope with its manifestations.

There is an opinion that to become addicted to nicotine, it is enough to smoke from 1 to 3 cigarettes. And it will take about 12 weeks to cleanse the body. This is exactly what the body needs to get rid of nicotine in the blood on its own. The process of self-cleaning is called detoxification. And only after three years the body will be able to finally cleanse itself.

Not all smokers easily manage to give up their bad habit. Quitting tobacco smoke affects the mental and physical condition. A person experiences stress, the degree of which depends on moral preparation. For such a weakness as tobacco use, the payment is the discomfort that is felt when quitting smoking.

The intensity and frequency of manifestation of this syndrome varies. It is more painful in those who have smoked for more than 10 years and smoked more than 20 cigarettes per day. But there are cases when, with little experience, a person endured this period much harder. This is due to different willpower and psyche.

Nicotine is a stimulant metabolic processes and operation of all systems. Therefore, when you give up doping, the body has a hard time adjusting to its normal mode of operation, since it has already lost the habit of functioning independently. Painful cessation of smoking is popularly called “withdrawal”, and in medicine – withdrawal syndrome.

Signs and symptoms of nicotine withdrawal

Constant desire to smoke, feeling of tension, irritability due to small things, depression, anxiety, attention and sleep disorders, nausea, various pains, chills, dizziness, convulsions, tachycardia, increased blood pressure, shortness of breath, a feeling of lack of air, sweating - such unpleasant moments will have to be experienced when an experienced smoker decides to get rid of this bad habit.

In most cases, withdrawal symptoms directly depend on individual characteristics person. Fortunately, not everyone will need to experience the feeling of discomfort. Many smokers, having survived about two weeks without a cigarette, gradually begin to enjoy life without a smoky potion and begin to feel happy. The obsessive desire gradually disappears, goes away depressive state, it is the clean air that begins to please. A person gets rid of a cough. There will be many more moments when, at the sight of someone smoking, your hand will again begin to reach for a cigarette. But with the right attitude, such thoughts can be driven away.

A person who quits smoking may experience symptoms of poor circulation for some time: headache, weakness. Caffeine-containing products that increase blood pressure can help cope with this condition.

Some people, when they refuse to “smoke”, may begin to “seize” the discomfort. This contributes to rapid weight gain. You need to formulate your diet correctly: temporarily give up fatty foods, alcoholic drinks, hot seasonings, as they stimulate the appetite. Increase physical activity.

The intestines get used to chemical stimulation and stop working independently. After quitting smoking, problems may begin that sometimes last for several weeks. You need to eat more things that contain a lot of fiber. Include in diet dairy products. If bronchitis or chronic obstructive disease appears due to smoking, then you need to be patient and move a lot to breathe deeper. This will stimulate the cleansing of the bronchi naturally.

How long does nicotine withdrawal last?

Nicotine withdrawal begins approximately an hour after smoking the last cigarette. A small but obsessive desire to smoke appears. After about two hours, a feeling of discomfort comes, and after eight hours - anxiety, irritability, and inability to concentrate. The real withdrawal begins the next day and reaches its peak approximately on the third day from the moment of failure. After the climax, an improvement occurs, although the desire to smoke does not disappear even after a month. During this period, exacerbation is possible chronic diseases, the risk of catching a cold increases.

Tips to help you get through this period easier:

1. Exposure - wait about 3 - 5 minutes until the desire to smoke passes.
2. Distract yourself. Talk to a friend or go for a walk.
3. Drink water to relieve dry mouth.
4. Take deep breaths to relax!

Treatment of nicotine withdrawal syndrome

1. There are many ways to avoid nicotine withdrawal syndrome. But the most important thing is a person’s strong desire to get rid of addiction. The support of others will be necessary. Doctors advise using skin patches, tablets, and special chewing gum. They offer “coding” and teach patients breathing exercises.
2. Sports activities are considered very beneficial fresh air, relaxation outside the city, which also helps to take your mind off unpleasant feelings.

When quitting smoking, unpleasant physical and psychological sensations, but they can and must be fought. The benefits of quitting smoking will be reducing the risk of serious diseases and improving well-being. All this outweighs the temporary inconvenience. The desired result can be achieved only with great desire, willpower and good mood.

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Smoker's withdrawal syndrome

What is withdrawal syndrome?

Withdrawal syndrome is a complex of various somatoneurological, and often mental disorders, arising against the background of more or less long-term use alcohol after stopping drinking.

The underlying cause of withdrawal syndrome is the body’s attempt to restore the state that existed during the period of active use of alcohol or other narcotic substances.

For an organism accustomed to existing in a state of chronic intoxication (or receiving a dose of a drug, nicotine), the absence of a narcotic substance is an abnormal state; it cannot bring physiology to the narcotic “norm”. And it is precisely attempts to compensate for the absence of the substance that caused the habit that are manifestations of withdrawal syndrome.

Withdrawal symptoms

Withdrawal symptoms vary depending on the substance used - the most severe symptoms occur after drugs, the mildest symptoms occur after alcohol, and the least severe withdrawal symptoms occur with smoking. But regardless of the objective assessment, subjective sensations are difficult to bear and cause painful symptoms (withdrawal, hangover, signs of nicotine deficiency).

All symptoms are divided into mild and severe, as well as neurological, somatic, and psychiatric. The appearance of certain symptoms depends on what substances cause the withdrawal state.

In general, the treatment tactics for withdrawal syndrome are similar for different etiological reasons, and consists of the following steps:

1. Treatment of physical manifestations (pain, nausea, vomiting).

Treatment should be carried out under the supervision of a physician. This is largely due to the fact that the action of many medicines during abstinence it becomes distorted, and may even turn out to be the opposite of the expected effect. If the syndrome is limited only to these manifestations, then it is limited outpatient treatment.

2. Relief of psychoneurological disorders (hallucinations, delusions, seizures and others).

It is carried out in a hospital, under the supervision of toxicologists and psychiatrists.

3. Addiction treatment.

But a specific set of drugs is selected depending on the type of addiction: for drug withdrawal; are used potent drugs(antipsychotics, antipsychotics, antidepressants, benzodiazepines, opioid receptor blockers, beta-blockers, tranquilizers and others) when quitting smoking - with a less active effect.

Smoking withdrawal syndrome

Despite the fact that the terminology “withdrawal syndrome” has not taken root in relation to smoking (this is due to the fact that nicotine is not officially considered a narcotic drug), all those manifestations that torment people at the first stage of quitting smoking are nothing more than abstinence. lack of a familiar substance, and the body’s attempts to restore balance.

Smoking withdrawal symptoms appear within a short time - usually within an hour after the last cigarette smoked. His total duration from several days to two months with a gradual decrease in symptoms.

The mildness of symptoms is typical for smoking withdrawal syndrome. This is usually:

• symptoms from the respiratory system: shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, increased cough;
• symptoms from the gastrointestinal tract: stool disorders, discomfort in the mouth, bad taste food, appetite disturbances, nausea;
• from the central nervous system and autonomic nervous system: hand tremors, sweating, sleep disturbances, anxiety, irritability, attention and memory problems.

Duration of withdrawal symptoms when quitting smoking

It is difficult to identify a general period that is typical for everyone: in many ways, the duration of withdrawal symptoms when quitting smoking depends on how long the person smoked and how many cigarettes he smoked per day.

The psychological factor cannot be excluded either: if a person is determined to quit smoking and does so by his own volitional decision, then the severity and duration of abstinence is small. Those who came to this not of their own free will, but through concessions to loved ones, persuasion, but in their hearts do not believe in success or do not want to give up, then the symptoms will be more severe and longer lasting.

The mildness of the symptoms suggests treatment at home, and the main question here is how to relieve the manifestations of nicotine withdrawal. Two directions are proposed:

1. endure, showing willpower and endurance;
2. use smoking cessation products, most of which are designed to relieve withdrawal symptoms.

Such drugs include tablets “Tabex9raquo;, “Champix9raquo;”, “Lobelin9raquo;”, “Cytisin9raquo;”, “Corrida Plus”, “Zyban9raquo;”, “Brizantin9raquo;”. It is noteworthy that this group includes drugs that have a nicotine-replacement effect, antidepressants, and drugs that cause discomfort from smoking (the so-called aversive therapy).

The essence of the use of all these drugs is that, due to their own mechanisms of action, they reduce the severity of nicotine withdrawal symptoms, facilitating the process of quitting smoking.

It should be remembered that nicotine “withdrawal”9raquo; is not the easiest condition for the body, and you shouldn’t take the signs of ill health lightly.

If symptoms, including cough and neurological manifestations, intensify, new ones appear painful sensations, general health goes beyond a slight ailment - you need to immediately consult a doctor, since it is possible that hidden pathologies, both infectious, somatic and neurological, have been added or activated against the background of abstinence.

Withdrawal syndrome in alcoholism

Alcohol withdrawal syndrome - ICD-10: F10.23, F10.23(0-9) - typical for chronic alcoholism. A hangover, despite the popular belief, is not abstinence in the strict sense of the word.

Symptoms of alcohol withdrawal syndrome can vary in severity - from mild to extremely severe.

Signs of mild withdrawal are more common in chronic drinkers, in stage 2 alcoholism, and also after a short period of drinking alcohol. Sometimes severe withdrawal symptoms begin with mild symptoms.

TO mild symptoms traditionally include: lack of appetite, nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, stool disorders, myalgia (muscle pain), various sleep disorders - from drowsiness to insomnia, nightmares. Often there are manifestations from the cardiovascular system - tachycardia, increase or decrease in blood pressure, irregular pulse.

Irritability, aggressive and restless behavior, mood lability, disorders of higher nervous activity, including memory disorders, are typical. different kinds amnesia.

In the majority cases mild withdrawal is treated on an outpatient basis, but seeing a doctor would be useful, since in this condition many pathologies are often disguised as alcohol withdrawal syndrome, which can only be recognized by a doctor, and failure to provide medical care with these pathologies it is fraught with severe complications, including death.

Severe abstinence is typical for long-term binge drinking, at stage 3 of alcoholism, with deep-seated pathological changes. It is characterized by an increase in the severity of the symptoms of the previous stage within a short time - in 1-3 hours, as well as the addition of the following: confusion, disorientation in time and space, various hallucinations, delirium, convulsions, increased temperature.

The appearance of at least one of the listed signs requires hospitalization in the toxicology department or a specialized department at a narcological hospital. The increase in signs of severe withdrawal syndrome and their outcome in a catastrophe can happen very quickly, so hospitalization cannot be refused.

Among the features of alcohol withdrawal syndrome, the following should be noted:

• mild symptoms develop within 6 to 48 hours, and can last (without treatment) up to 10-15 days;
• severe symptoms may develop within 2-5 days after the last drink; - symptoms do not always develop in stages; they may develop immediately serious condition without a prodromal period in the form of mild symptoms;
• Symptoms often appear or worsen in the evening.

How long does alcohol withdrawal last?

On average, the duration for a mild form is up to 10 days without treatment or up to 5 days with outpatient treatment. The prognosis for a severe form depends entirely on the type and extent of the developed pathology - withdrawal syndrome is more severe and longer, resulting in alcoholic psychosis, and somatovegetative disorders are easier and shorter lasting.

Treatment for alcoholism withdrawal syndrome First of all, it is aimed at stabilizing the condition, reducing the intoxication load, restoring the functions of organs and systems. The tactics are chosen depending on the symptoms that are currently available.

If somatic disorders are expressed, drugs that normalize the functioning of internal organs are used, with dominance neurological disorders- appropriate sedatives.

A variety of drugs are used, but among them the introduction of B vitamins, in particular thiamine, is mandatory. Deficiency of vitamins of this group plays a leading role in the formation alcohol withdrawal.

In addition, chronic drinkers show signs of polyhypovitaminosis, which is also one of the components of the pathogenesis of alcohol withdrawal, and requires the prescription of a vitamin complex in the form of multivitamin tablets or (if it is not possible oral administration) drugs for parenteral administration

Removal of the syndrome in the clinic

In a hospital setting, at the diagnostic stage, the main indicators of blood biochemistry and OAC, TAM are determined, signs of dehydration are identified, and the severity of symptoms is determined. Drugs are prescribed based not only on their current condition, but also on the patient’s medical history (for example, benzodiazepines are not indicated for alcoholic liver pathologies).

The main direction of therapy: stabilization of the neurological condition, recovery acid-base balance. Doses are selected in such a way that the patient is able to fall asleep, but does not lose contact upon awakening. Benzodiazepines, barbiturates, and antipsychotics are used.

Among drugs from other groups, it is possible to administer diuretics (for overhydration), magnesium and potassium drugs, cardiovascular drugs, in particular beta1-blockers.

Average length of hospitalization (assuming no alcoholic psychoses) - from three to seven days. When alcoholic psychoses and complications from other organs (in particular, severe pathologies from the gastrointestinal tract are not uncommon), treatment continues under conditions specialized hospital with appropriate selection of drug therapy followed by transfer to outpatient treatment.

Relieving the syndrome at home

Many home-grown “specialists”, having listened to a lot of advice, begin treating withdrawal symptoms at home by installing a drip - intravenous administration saline or detoxification solutions. This is an erroneous tactic, since in many cases, intravenous administration of additional volumes of fluid against the background of existing overhydration leads to the rapid development of complications incompatible with life.

The decision to administer additional volumes of fluid orally or parenterally is decided by the physician based on the totality of examination data and the patient’s condition.

At mild symptoms in conditions outpatient management It is enough to monitor the condition, take vitamins and other medications as prescribed by the doctor.

The harm of quitting smoking, it happens

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