Quitting Tobacco Use

Maintaining the New Lifestyle

Many of the changes you feel when you first quit tobacco are not positive. Nicotine withdrawal can make you feel short-tempered and nervous. You may have trouble sleeping, or concentrating. These symptoms can last for several weeks, but they do go away, especially if you take medicine. You may struggle with changing your smoking habits and rituals. This is a lot to deal with, but keep at it. You will feel better.

You may keep getting cravings for months. But most people who quit report that they eventually stop thinking about smoking.

The following tips may help you remain tobacco-free:

• Deal with temptations and cravings when you quit smoking.
• Make positive changes in your life.
• Prevent a slip (smoking one or two cigarettes) or relapse (returning to regular smoking), or deal with one if it occurs.

  Quitting smoking: Preventing slips or relapses

• Ask friends and family members for help.

  Quitting smoking: Getting support

• Deal with weight gain.

  Quitting smoking: Dealing with weight gain

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Author:	Debby Golonka, MPH Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS	Last Updated: July 24, 2007
Medical Review:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine John Hughes, MD - Psychiatry
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