The Duration of Cigarette and Nicotine Gum Withdrawal: A Personal Journey
This article delves into the personal experiences and challenges of overcoming the withdrawal from cigarettes and nicotine gum. We explore the mental and physical journey from the initial attempt to quit to the long-term implications of successful abstinence.
Understanding Withdrawal: Physical vs. Mental
Physical withdrawal symptoms from cigarettes and nicotine gum can persist for approximately 72 hours. However, these symptoms often diminish and subside as the body adjusts to the absence of nicotine. The more profound struggles, however, revolve around the mental withdrawal from the addiction. This mental aspect can be protracted and varies significantly among individuals. Just as everyone's journey is unique, so are the challenges and successes in overcoming addiction.
A Personal Account: My Journey and Tips
I can personally attest to the 11 days, 19 hours, and 11 minutes I have been smoke-free, without the use of any medication or nicotine replacement therapy. My decision to quit was influenced by my girlfriend's one-year journey to quit smoking while hospitalized, juxtaposed with my continued habit of smoking a pack and a half a day. This personal account is more than a narrative; it is a testament to the resilience and determination required to combat addiction.
Day One: Early Contemplation and Decision
Finally, after weeks of deliberation, I decided to make a quit attempt. My last pack contained 7–8 cigarettes, with each pack costing around $8.92, a significant financial burden during a time of economic uncertainty. At around 7:50PM, I stubbed out my last Marlboro Smooth shorts, a financial and emotional milestone. Although the day was not fraught with physical withdrawal symptoms, the psychological craving for another cigarette loomed large.
The First Few Days: Overwhelming Cravings and Physical Symptoms
Day One: Workplace???os, where most colleagues smoke, made the longing for a cigarette nearly unbearable. Describing the day, the feelings are best encapsulated by the iconic Nicorette SHARK commercial.
Day Two: A picture or a video truly can convey a thousand words. The visual experience of these days captures the overwhelming nature of the mental and physical onslaught.
Day Three: My heart rate, which is typically between 85–100, dropped to 52, a stark difference from normal. I felt that I was dying. This day, purportedly the worst of the withdrawal, was marked by intense cravings and a desire to engage in destructive behavior, all in the vain pursuit of re-igniting the addiction. However, I kept to my promise and didn't smoke another puff.
Day Four: The initial relief from the lower heart rate was short-lived as my resting pulse rate rose to 110–130. The headache and increased cravings were too much and consideration of a drug test just to see if I was as "negative" as I felt.
Overcoming and Adapting
Days 5–7:
During this period, I was still dealing with the post-COVID symptoms, and the anxiety and stress heightened due to the recent diagnosis of the viral infection. The smell of cigarettes that I haven't noticed in years became a poignant reminder of what I had given up.
Day Eight: As the COVID symptoms subsided, the cravings for cigarettes returned, but this time, they were more mental. The ease of pushing these thoughts away and focusing on something else was a massive victory.
Day Nine: The cigarettes were still a mental presence, but the more I convinced myself that I no longer needed them, the less noticeable their absence became. I realized the horrifying confluence of smoking and illness would have been far worse.
Day Ten-Present: By now, all COVID-related symptoms have dulled, and the only lingering thoughts are those of past cravings. Smoking has become a mere thought, a thing of the past.
Lessons Learned and Recommendations
The journey of quitting smoking is neither linear nor without peril. It is a testament to both the power of addiction and the resilience of the human spirit. Once you become addicted, you are always at risk, and just one cigarette can set you back on the path of smoking again. The fight may be won or lost in the flicker of a moment of weakness.
For those seeking to overcome addiction, resources like WhyQuit can be highly beneficial. This website provides invaluable information, tips, and strategies for those trying to quit. While the journey is arduous, the savings can be substantial, with a potential reduction of over $476 a month.
Remember, if someone offers you a cigarette or other tobacco/nicotine product, politely decline and explain that you have quit. Vulnerability does not erase the effectiveness of refusal. Success requires consistent effort, regardless of the challenges.