Final answer:
Withdrawal symptoms from smoking cessation can start within hours and peak within the first two days, with cravings possibly lasting months. Symptoms include irritability, anxiety, and difficulty concentrating. Nicotine replacement therapy can help manage these symptoms.
Step-by-step explanation:
Withdrawal Symptoms After Stopping Smoking
After someone stops smoking, withdrawal symptoms can begin as early as a few hours after the last cigarette. Common symptoms include a strong craving for nicotine, headaches, irritability, anxiety, sleep disturbances, increased hunger, and difficulty concentrating. Typically, these symptoms reach their peak within the first 24 to 48 hours and then start to lessen. However, the desire to smoke can persist for several months. The changes in heart rate and blood pressure are also notable as the body adjusts to the absence of nicotine. It's important to remember that while the physical symptoms may ease relatively quickly, the psychological dependence can take longer to overcome.
There are therapies available, such as nicotine replacement therapy, which can help alleviate these withdrawal symptoms. Nicotine replacement products, like gum or patches, provide a controlled dose of nicotine to reduce withdrawal effects but generally need to be complemented by behavioral strategies for a better chance of long-term cessation.
Because withdrawal from substances like tobacco can be very challenging, professional support and medical supervision are sometimes necessary, especially for individuals who have smoked heavily for a long time.