When you quit smoking right now, you may have to put up with some stuff like bad nerves and crabbiness for a while.
That’s because tobacco contains nicotine — a drug — and smokers get hooked on nicotine. When you quit, your body craves nicotine and you feel withdrawal symptoms: the Crazies.
HOW BAD WILL IT BE ?
The Crazies usually last for 1 - 2 weeks after you quit. After that, your body begins to forget about nicotine and you start feeling better. For some people — like heavy smokers — the Crazies may be tougher and last longer.
Even after the Crazies are gone, there will be times you’ll still want to smoke. That’s because nicotine is a powerful addiction. Even after you quit, you can get hooked again with just a few cigarettes. The only way to be safe is to become a nonsmoker — for good.
HOW DO I HANDLE IT?
Here’s what to do when the Crazies hit.
TTIRED: Take naps and get plenty of rest.
GROUCHY NERVOUS: Exercise. Walk the dog. Keep busy.
HEADACHE DIZZINESS: Take deep breathe. Exercise.
DRY MOUTH,SORE THROAT: Drink cold water or juice. Chew gum.
THE BLUES: You may get really depressed and feel like crying. These feelings will pass. Until they do, call a friend or someone else who understands.
PIGGING OUT: When people quit smoking right now, they need something else to do, so they eat. If you don’t want to gain weight, try these things:
Don’t eat lots of candy and sweet stuff. Try sugarless gum, fresh fruit, popcorn and vegetable sticks.
Drink extra water, especially at meals.
Keep active — take walks, shoot baskets, ride your bike.
The Crazies are a pain, but they only last a little while. And they’re better than dying from something like lung cancer or a heart attack. Even if smoking doesn’t kill you, it’ll probably make you sick with emphysema or other diseases.
Lots of people quit smoking for a few days, but it’s harder to stay off cigarettes for good. Remember, lots of other people have quit, and you can too!
Here’s what you need to do to really beat smoking.
1 Don’t pull the triggers. All smokers have “triggers,” certain times and places that make them want to smoke. For you, it may be leaving school or hanging out with friends. Learn what your smoking triggers are and try to avoid them. Or figure out how to get through them without smoking.
2 Plan ways to handle stress. When you get stressed, you may want to reach for a cigarette. Think of things you can do instead of smoking when stress hits — like chewing gum or taking deep breaths.
3 If you blow it, try again. All smokers have trouble quitting, and most of them will blow it and smoke once in a while. Some people have to quit several times before they stop for good. If you blow it, you’re not a failure. Quit again!
4 Pat yourself on the back. When you quit smoking right now, you’re doing something great and you deserve a reward!
Treat yourself to a movie or a new CD or something else — and pay for it with the money you used to spend on cigarettes.
