The Withdrawal

華州華人防癌互助協會 Washington State Chinese Cancer Network Association, PO Box 15425, Seattle, WA 98115. Phone (206) 850-5914

The first few days of quitting smoking are the most difficult. You may have some or all of the symptoms listed below. Here are some suggestions on how to cope with those symptoms.

Possible Withdrawal Symptoms	Coping mechanisms
Sadness or depression	Exercise, talk, spend time with friends and family members, call your support team
Worrying, irritable or inability to concentrate	Take a walk, practice deep breathing, drink water, take a hot shower
Anger	Talk to a friend, take a walk or jog, punch a pillow, go out and scream
Headache, fatigue	Relax, practice deep breathing, take a nap, get a massage
Sleep problems	Drink less coffee and dark tea, exercise during the day, soak feet in hot water for 20 minutes before bed, listen to soft music before bed
Cough	Drink lots of water and green tea, rinse mouth with saline water, take cough drops, take a hot shower
Stomach upset	Drink water, eat fresh fruit, eat less sweet and spicy foods
Constipation	Drink lots of water and juice, eat vegetables and fresh fruit
Increased appetite	Eat more vegetables and fruit, eat less sweet and deep-fried food, drink water and exercise

Attention:

Depression occurs frequently in people who quit smoking. Feeling depressed, hopeless, and apathetic is common in people who stop smoking. For many, nicotine has acted as a temporary medication to treat these feelings. Recognize when you are feeling depressed, and deal with these feelings by talking to your friends or support team. Exercise or do something you enjoy. If you experience prolonged depression or sadness, you should report to your physician immediately.

This site was last updated 06/01/07