Nicotine withdrawal symptoms are often experienced by some smokers who are trying to stop this unhealthy habit. The condition is characterized by headaches, difficulty concentrating, to frustration. However, you don't need to worry, because there are several ways to deal with it.
Quitting smoking is not an easy matter. The reason is, the nicotine content in cigarettes can have an addictive or addictive effect, making it difficult to stop this bad habit.
When nicotine intake is stopped, smokers can experience nicotine withdrawal symptoms, ranging from headaches, nausea, constipation, coughing, difficulty concentrating, difficulty sleeping, frequent hunger, irritability, and even stress.
Minimizing Nicotine Withdrawal Symptoms
If you are trying to quit smoking and find it difficult or you experience nicotine withdrawal symptoms, there are several ways you can do to overcome them, namely:
1. Undergoing behavioral therapy
The main goal of behavioral therapy is to identify the triggering factors that make you feel like smoking and are difficult to quit. Once the trigger is found, the psychologist or counselor will plan a smoking cessation strategy that best suits your condition.
Not only that, through this therapy you will also be directed to overcome negative thoughts and pessimism that often arise when trying to quit smoking.
2. Try nicotine replacement therapy
Nicotine replacement therapy (nicotine-replacement therapy) is one way that is often used to overcome the frustration and nicotine withdrawal symptoms that occur when a person quits smoking.
This therapy is done by giving the body a low dose of nicotine intake through several media, such as chewing gum and lozenges. Thus, the desire to smoke will gradually decrease.
Although it is considered safe and able to overcome nicotine withdrawal symptoms, you are still advised to consult with your doctor before trying this therapy.
3. Using the help of drugs
Some types of drugs, such as bupropion and varenicline, can also relieve nicotine withdrawal symptoms. And help you quit smoking. However, these medicines should only be taken as advised and under the supervision of a doctor.
4. Undergo combination therapy
To increase success, several types of smoking cessation therapy can be done simultaneously.
For example, behavioral therapy combined with nicotine replacement therapy or medication was found to be more effective at reducing nicotine withdrawal symptoms when quitting smoking than nicotine replacement therapy alone or behavioral therapy alone.
Quitting smoking is a challenge that is not easy to do. Not a few smokers fail to stop smoking on the first attempt due to the nicotine withdrawal symptoms they experience.
Once you've made up your mind but you're experiencing withdrawal symptoms, you can try implementing the suggestions listed above.
If the urge to smoke comes back, try diverting your thoughts to other things, such as doing activities or hobbies you like, eating healthy and nutritious foods, and exercising regularly.
In addition, you can also ask for support and help from your family and those around you, to remind you of the goals to stop smoking that you want to achieve.
However, if nicotine withdrawal symptoms do not subside despite trying the various methods above and you are still having trouble quitting smoking, don't hesitate to consult a doctor for advice and appropriate treatment according to your condition.
