The Ups and Downs of Nicotine Withdrawal

Aptly named "Hell Week" by those who have been there, the first week of smoking cessation is best approached with some knowledge about what to expect. There are tricks to managing the discomforts of nicotine withdrawal, and with a little preparation, you'll probably find you are able to weather this phase of quitting tobacco better than you expected.

Your First Smoke Free Week

• 5 Minute Craving Busters

• 101 Things to Do Instead of Smoking

• My First Smoke Free Day - A Personal Account

Current Forum Discussions

• What About the Fatigue?!
  "I'm on day 5. While I'm definitely more alert and with it when I get up in the morning and at work, by 6 pm, I am exhausted! I couldn't keep my eyes open on the subway home last night! Just wondering a) Why? Shouldn't I have oodles of energy? b) How long does this last? Days? Weeks?"

• Countdown to Quit
  "I joined this site today because my quit date is tomorrow (11/20). I have been reading here for awhile in preparation. I so want to quit because I am tired of berating myself for smoking and tired of hiding my smoking (closet smoker). Even though I hide my smoking from family I still manage to smoke almost a pack a day - what an incredible waste of money."

• Help Me, Please!
  "OH please someone help me. I have done my homework. I thought I was ready. I made another date to quit-- Dec 1st., but then changed my mind to quit tomorrow, not because it's the Great American Smokeout, but because I felt like I was ready. Maybe I need to move the date to Dec. 1st... Right now I feel ill, stomach ache ( I hardly ever have a stomach ache) My back is hurting. I feel just ill and I haven't even stopped smoking yet."