24 hours after a cigarette – This will be a tough awakening.It’s essential that you buckle up – after this hurdle, every other night without a cigarette will be easier. Most smokers cave at this point – it’s easier to smoke a cigarette than to face a sleepless night. Drink plenty of water, tuck yourself in and prepare to ride it out. You might also start feeling a tingling sensation in your hands and feet – circulation is returning to normal and it’s nothing to be alarmed by.

Some people will start experiencing unusual hunger at this point – this is because your blood sugar levels are lower than usual and it’s common to experience hunger in this period.

10 hours after a cigarette – You already have a number of craving episodes behind you but it’s time to get ready for bed.

The craving for nicotine will pass but you will have to steel yourselves for when it starts again. Instead of yielding to temptation, try focusing on something else – clean the house, iron all your shirts, or go out for a jog. Nicotine in your system has dropped by 90 % and you will start filling fidgety.

4 hours after a cigarette – Your body is signaling that it’s time for a cigarette.

The first 72 hours are the worst for most smokers so let’s focus on them. Not everyone who stops smoking will experience all of them – in fact, most people will have the toughest time fighting cravings, irritability, and difficulties concentrating so they might not even notice the rest. Most of these symptoms will peak during the second or the third day into the cessation process. Nicotine withdrawal symptoms vary and will depend on how long and how much you’ve smoked.Ĭommon nicotine withdrawal symptoms include: Not being prepared can seriously diminish your chances of succeeding. It’s important to know what to expect once you decide to smoke your last cigarette.

Boosts short-term memory and concentration.

Produces a sensation of well-being and calm.However, most researchers and physicians agree that nicotine is just as addictive as heroin or cocaine and people get’ hooked’ on nicotine in a similar way they get hooked on other drugs. This is because nicotine – the key ingredient in tobacco that leads to addiction – rewires the brain to such an extent that the most severe withdrawal symptoms can resemble those that heavy drug addicts go through when they are weaning themselves from what society perceives to be much worse drugs.

Quitting smoking can be a daunting endeavor – anyone who’s ever tried it can attest to that.

Bonsmart recovery chart timetable