Common Tobacco Withdrawal Symptoms

Trying to quit tobacco use feels different for each person, but almost everyone will have some symptoms of nicotine withdrawal. When stopped, the body and brain must get used to not having nicotine. This can be uncomfortable, but nicotine withdrawal is rarely harmful. The harm is in giving up on quitting! Over time, withdrawal symptoms will fade if one stays tobacco free.

Tips for Patients to Manage Withdrawal

• Use a quit-smoking medication if urges are hard to resist.
• Keep busy and distract yourself.
• Be active – some physical activity is better than none!
• Make your environment work for you.
  • Get rid of things that are triggers.
  • Avoid places that you regularly used tobacco.
  • Tell people that you are quitting so they can support you.
• Spend time with friends who don’t use tobacco.
• Listen to the what the urge says, then talk back!

Healthcare providers in a variety of settings play a critical role in helping people quit the use of tobacco. Even brief advice from you can make it much more likely that your patients will try to quit and ultimately succeed. You can make a difference!

Visit our Tobacco Cessation web page for more information.

Posted 3/20/2025