How long does nicotine withdrawal last?

Key takeaways

• Symptoms can begin within 2 to 3 hours after your last cigarette.
• Withdrawal is usually worst in the first week, peaking in the first 3 days.
• Core symptoms typically last 2 to 4 weeks; the NHS average is 3 to 4 weeks.
• Some people have symptoms for several months, and occasional mild cravings can appear much later.
• Nicotine replacement therapy and counseling can ease withdrawal and improve your chances of quitting.

What are the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal?

A research review in the journal Nicotine & Tobacco Research identified anger, anxiety, depression, difficulty concentrating, impatience, insomnia, and restlessness as valid tobacco withdrawal symptoms. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) also lists nicotine cravings and hunger or increased appetite among the common symptoms.

Less common symptoms include headaches, fatigue, dizziness, coughing, mouth ulcers, and constipation. MedlinePlus notes that people who smoked the longest or smoked more cigarettes each day are more likely to have withdrawal symptoms.

When does nicotine withdrawal start and peak?

Withdrawal starts quickly. MedlinePlus says symptoms appear within 2 to 3 hours after you last use tobacco and peak about 2 to 3 days after quitting. The NCI and NHS agree that symptoms are usually strongest during the first week, especially the first 3 days.

That first stretch matters: Smokefree.gov says the first week after quitting is when you are most at risk of slipping up or returning to smoking.

• 2 to 3 hours: symptoms can begin (MedlinePlus).
• Days 1 to 3: symptoms usually peak (MedlinePlus, NCI, NHS).
• Week 1: usually the most difficult week (NCI, NHS).
• Weeks 2 to 4: core symptoms typically fade (Nicotine & Tobacco Research review, NHS).
• Several months: some people still have symptoms (NCI, NHS).

How long do nicotine withdrawal symptoms last?

For most people, a few weeks. The Nicotine & Tobacco Research review found that the valid withdrawal symptoms peak within the first week and last 2 to 4 weeks. The NHS says symptoms last 3 to 4 weeks on average, and the NCI says their intensity usually drops over the first month. Smokefree.gov says the worst symptoms only last a few days to a couple of weeks.

Individual symptoms follow slightly different paths. According to the NCI, anger, frustration, and irritability peak within 1 week of quitting and may last 2 to 4 weeks, while anxiety, if it occurs, usually builds over the first 3 days and may last several weeks. Everyone is different: the NCI and NHS both note that some people have symptoms for several months, and the NCI says occasional mild cravings can appear months or years after quitting.

What can make nicotine withdrawal easier?

Quit-smoking medicines are designed for exactly this. MedlinePlus says the goal of these therapies is to relieve cravings for nicotine and ease withdrawal symptoms. The NCI says nicotine replacement products are effective treatments that increase the likelihood of quitting successfully, and that nicotine replacement therapy is more effective when combined with advice or counseling from a health care provider.

The CDC says using counseling and medication together gives you the best chance of quitting for good. In the U.S., you can call a quitline coach at 1-800-QUIT-NOW or talk to a health care professional.