Do you find it difficult to get nicotine out of your system? Nicotine, after all, can be very addictive. Nicotine may not be illegal but it compares with dangerous drugs like cocaine and heroin in terms of addictiveness.
When you use nicotine, your body begins to rely on it both mentally and physically. You can’t quit smoking because you have to face both the psychological and physical issues facing you at this point, which is often overwhelming for anyone.
It bears repeating that nicotine is the addictive element in cigarettes and not the smoke or the tobacco itself – once the nicotine travels into your lungs with the cigarette smoke, it then manifests itself in your bloodstream and through the rest of your body, affecting your health and making you dependent.
Your heart and blood vessels, your brain, your hormones, and your metabolism are all directly affected by nicotine. Even though you may logically know the damage being done, your ability to quit smoking is diminished because the drug has the same effect as endorphins, releasing mood-elevating feelings that cause you to crave more.
But nicotine has another result. Even if you’re trying to maintain your current rate of smoking, or cutting down, your body is urged to have a few more smokes – after all, you’re at the point where you feel your usage is normal. Compared to intravenous drugs, nicotine can make your body react a bit faster.
If you are able to quit smoking, nicotine will still reside in your body for up to four days after you stop using it. And during these four days, you will experience nicotine withdrawal, which can be a harrowing experience, both mentally and physically.
The physical symptoms of nicotine withdrawal – headaches, nausea, dizziness and fitful sleep – are bad enough, but not as bad as the mental symptoms, which could include depression, frustration, a quick temper or increased levels of stress and anxiety.
The feeling of withdrawal could be so depressing that most smokers will return to their cigarettes in order for the symptoms to go away. The dilemma of withdrawal symptoms when someone quits smoking can last for days or weeks, depending on the severity of the addiction.
It is possible, though, to quit smoking for good – all it takes is a little patience to deal with the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal. One way you can quit smoking in the first try is through smoking cessation aids, though if you can’t quit smoking on the first try, it’s okay – many have to try several times before succeeding.
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