Nicotine withdrawal

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Nicotine withdrawal

Definition:

Nicotine withdrawal involves irritability, headache, and craving associated with the sudden cessation or reduction of smoking or other tobacco use by a nicotine-dependent individual. See smoking - tips on how to quit and smoking hazards.

Alternative Names:

Withdrawal from nicotine

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Almost all people who try to quit have some form of nicotine withdrawal. Generally, the longer one has been a smoker and the more nicotine and higher number of cigarettes consumed, the more likely it is that withdrawal symptoms will occur and the more severe they are likely to be.

Furthermore, people who are regular smokers tend to have particularly strong cravings and worsening of withdrawal symptoms at certain times, places, or situations associated with smoking.

Review Date: 5/4/2004
Reviewed By: Ram Chandran Kalyanam, M.D., Department of Psychiatry, Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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