How Long Does It Take To Quit Smoking (And Why)?

How Long Does It Take To Quit Smoking (And Why)?

Exact Answer: 3 To 6 Months

There are different types of drugs available in the market right now, and some contain chemicals that can be very addictive. These drugs are available in various forms, some taken in an oral form, while some can be applied on the skin, and they can get absorbed through the skin. Drugs can be drunk, smoked, applied, and used in various forms. One form of drug, which can make a person addicted is nicotine.

Nicotine is used in various forms, and one form in which they are popular all across the globe and exported in large numbers is cigarettes. There are more than millions smoking cigarettes every day. Smoking rarely doesn’t have much effect on the person, but when a person keeps smoking cigarettes at an alarming rate, it affects a person’s lungs and entire body.

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How Long Does It Take To Quit Smoking?

All about smokingTime
The minimum time duration to quit smoking3 months
Nicotine cravings peak after2 to 3 days
The maximum duration to quit smoking6 months to 1 year

Nicotine is not exactly a type of drug but is a stimulant found in many tobacco products, especially cigars and of course, cigarettes. Once a person starts smoking cigarettes regularly, it will become very hard to stop, and even if a person has the mental stability to stop, they will experience a series of severe symptoms which does not go away easily.

The first few days and the following weeks will certainly be the hardest in the path of becoming a non-smoker. Many strategies can be followed while trying to survive the cravings of smoking, and after a person suddenly quits smoking without gradually decreasing the number of cigarettes.

After a person suddenly quits smoking, they will experience cravings, their heartbeat and blood pressure will suddenly plummet down. When a person can withstand smoking for at least 12 hours, their carbon monoxide level will go back to normal and within a few weeks, their blood circulation will start regulating itself. They will not experience coughing or wheezing as as they did previously.

Why Does It Take That Long To Quit Smoking?

The time is taken by a person to quit smoking can differ. Initially, when a person stops smoking for a while, the nicotine cravings will start to peak in the first 2 to 3 days, and the minimum time taken to quit smoking is around 3 months. Only the most strong-willed people will be able to achieve that, and for people who are addicted beyond measure, it will take about 6 months to a year, to quit smoking at least partially.

For some people, it will take more than a year as they might be obsessed with smoking and their smoking habits will be beyond control. Nicotine withdrawal is a very hard process, and before one completely gets out of the habit, he or she will experience some severe consequences. Some of the most common nicotine withdrawal symptoms include anxiety, irritability, hunger pangs, headache, sleeping trouble, and fatigue.

The effects of nicotine withdrawal will start kicking in fast. Three hours after putting out their last cigarette, the person will experience symptoms like anxiety and concentration trouble. Initially, the symptoms will be very intense since it starts peaking about 3 days after the person’s last smoke and the symptoms can last up to 2 to 3 weeks.

Conclusion

There are many things a person can do, to stay consistent in their journey of quitting smoking. They will start feeling the urges in a very short while, but it is very important to distract and deviate themselves from the thought of cigarettes. Taking a walk, eating something delicious and healthy, drinking ice water, and maintaining the freshness of breath can help a lot.

Apart from that, a person can try some mental exercises and therapy, like reading a book, listening to calm, soft music, and try making a list of reasons why he or she shouldn’t be a smoker and ways in which not smoking will be advantageous. Talking to loved ones, friends, and colleagues, seeking their advice and help can never go wrong, and it is also important to be soft on oneself and be rewarding.

References

  1. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22071589/
  2. https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/BF02599155.pdf
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