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Nicotine Withdrawal

When you start to quit smoking, you will feel symptoms of withdrawal which include:

• An intense craving for nicotine
• Tension
• Irritability
• Headaches
• Difficulty in concentrating
• Drowsiness and trouble sleeping
• Increased appetite and possible weight gain

It is important to remember that these are normal and everyone feels them when they quit smoking. You can persevere and in a few days these symptoms will begin to lessen. You are closer to being nicotine-free.

• Mayoclinic:Nicotine Dependence
• MedlinePlus:Nicotine Addiction
• WebMD:Understanding Nicotine Withdrawal

Smoking Causes Cancer

There is an undeniable link between smoking cigarrettes and developing cancer. More than 29% of all cancer is caused by smoking. If you continue to smoke your risk for contracting numberous cancers including mouth, nose and sinuses, larynx, stomach and many others greatly increases. Smoking is the cause of 90% of all cases of lung cancer.

• Does smoking increase cancer risk?
• Q&A About Smoking and Cancer

What can you do if you're concerned that your tobacco use may have led to cancer or another potentially fatal disease? If tobacco addiction goes unchecked, the chances of such serious health effects grow. If you are concerned that you may have lung cancer, see your doctor immediately:

WebMD: When to Call the Doctor

In the worst-case scenario, if you find out that the cancer has progressed to the terminal stage and you have little time left, it's important to understand how to deal with death:

Yale Medical Group: Coping with Terminal Cancer

For advice on overcoming challenges related to death from both a survivor and a co-survivor perspective, whether they be emotional, physical, spiritual or legal, read:

VCU Massey Cancer Center: Coping with Terminal Cancer

Remission and Recurrence    

Emotionally dealing with remission of your tobacco addiction is difficult; you may feel like a failure.  You may feel as if you are weak-willed.  You’re not.  Smoking releases chemicals in your brain that can help you deal with negative emotions so any upheaval in your life can trigger the need to smoke again.  But there are things you can do to fight the urges:

About.com: How to Quit Smoking and Quit for Keeps

According to the American Cancer Society, smells may be the best cure for those urges to start smoking again:

WebMD:13 Best Quit-Smoking Tips Ever

New York State Smokers' Quitline: How to Fight the Urge to SmokeGive Back

What helped you while you were dealing with your addiction, when you were undergoing treatment, and when you finally realized you had beaten it? Take a look back at your journey and share with others what helped you and what you wished you would have known/done during your tobacco addiction experience. You can create a profile, reach out to other survivors, join support circles or share your story by following the links at TheSurvivorsClub.org.

Check out some of the best charities for supporting tobacco addiction research or offering support to survivors:

The Partnership for a Drug-Free America

• Info-Drug-Rehab.com: Nicotine Addiction Forums
• Help Me Quit Smoking
• Tammy's Quit Smoking Blog
• MayoClinic: Quit Smoking - Welcome to Our New Tobacco Blog
• University of Cincinnati: Clinical Trials - Nicotine Addiction
• ClinicalTrials.gov: Nicotine Addiction

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