It is quite likely that you will not suffer any serious withdrawal symptoms.

The program was fashioned to facilitate minimal withdrawal severity and a smooth transaction to abstinence. So, if you feel well, rejoice, and don’t dwell too long in these Sessions that detail withdrawal symptoms, or you may start associating with them.

This Session is for the benefit of individuals who have been heavier smokers, and who may go through a more severe withdrawal.

You may feel some effects of withdrawal. If you do, it simply means that you have been addicted to nicotine and these effects are the price you have to pay on your way to liberation from chemical dependency.

Chemical dependency is not something you want to associate yourself with any more.

You were born free, you weren’t made to be chemically dependent on a psychoactive drug that destroys you. You must regain control, even at the price of some irritation and discomfort.

Suffering is part of life, but being a victim is a matter of choice. If you suffer, suffer while maintaining your dignity. It will make the suffering shorter and more tolerable.

Remember that the discomfort is temporary – you may feel bad for a little while but this feeling will not last long.

Make it meaningful. Pain is pain, discomfort is discomfort, irritation is irritation. However, the meanings we give to these events are personal and they differ from individual to individual. Choose the right meaning.

Instead of thinking: ‘I’m miserable, I’m restless and I’m dying to smoke a cigarette’, you could think: ‘I am restless and irritable, it must be related to my nicotine withdrawal. I knew I had to go through this if I wanted to stop smoking, so I have to be brave now and endure. I will not succumb to this temporary misery’.

In both cases the sensations are the same, but the interpretation is different. So be aware of your options and choices, and remain in control even in tough times.

No matter what, do not even contemplate smoking in order to alleviate the temporary discomfort. If you cannot avoid contemplating smoking, fine, contemplate then, but no matter what happens, or how bad it gets – you must endure, and under no circumstances whatsoever should you smoke.

We have mentioned before that this is a war – now it is time to fight and win a major battle!

It is not time to surrender to a malicious addiction – no way!

Fight back – you do have what it takes!

You will cope with the discomfort better if you understand its origin and function. You might be surprised to learn that certain irritations are actually part of the healing and adaptation process. One example we touched on yesterday is that coughing may be part of the lungs’ way of cleaning themselves. We’ll now list a few other symptoms of recovery that may cause some temporary aggravation.

Other uneasiness may be a part of the withdrawal process itself. Such symptoms should also be viewed and tolerated with a positive attitude, as they are part of the body’s adaptation to nicotine abstinence. In other words, these signs are delivering a great message – it is the end of your chemical dependency.

WITHDRAWAL AND RECOVERY SYMPTOMS

Lack of concentration

Most smokers have conditioned themselves to smoke when they need to concentrate. It is true that the increased metabolism induced by smoking contributes to a better ability to concentrate. However, the majority of the population concentrates perfectly well without smoking. Until you adjust, you may experience some difficulties in this area.

Irritability and edginess

A combination of many effects that are related to withdrawal and physical and psychological adaptations naturally result in initial irritability and edginess. Also, as the oppressed body system awakens, fresh oxygenated blood is delivered to the organs and the senses feel sharper. Smells are more poignant, tastes are more distinct, sounds are louder, vision becomes brighter, and all of your perceptions are heightened. Initially, however, some of this welcome awakening can cause irritation.

If you are angry or edgy, try to either deal with it by communication with your immediate environment, or by the methods introduced in this program. Don’t allow anger to build up to a level that will endanger your abstinence. Be mature about it and make sure you don’t allow this to be a vulnerable spot for a relapse.

A good walk and some fresh air can help. Remember that you can afford to take a break. Work is not always more important, and other obligations can wait. Quitting smoking is a life saving activity, so make it a priority and don’t stress yourself.

Lethargy

Nicotine is a stimulant that increases your metabolism to an abnormally high rate. When you stop smoking your metabolism drops back to normal and you may find that your energy level falls. Also, you are no longer regularly receiving a stimulant (nicotine) that you had become accustomed to. This lethargy will go away. It just takes time.

Walks in the fresh air, frequent refreshing showers, physical activity and engagement in activities that interest and involve you may help.

Headaches and nausea

By no longer taking in nicotine and carbon monoxide you allow your system to deliver fresh oxygenated blood to all of the body organs. This is, of course, a very good phenomenon. However, your brain may initially react with headaches and giddiness, and the increased blood flow to your body’s extremities – especially the fingertips and toes – may produce a tingling effect.

If you need to take headache tablets, take them. Avoid coffee, tea and cola drinks as they may also be causing your headaches.

Coughs

The lungs are on a mission of cleaning themselves – through the blessed operation of the cilia, a brush like tiny cells that have been inhibited by nicotine. The cilia action is a natural reflex, but it can initially cause excessive coughing.

Sore throat

If you’ve smoked for many years, your airways and lungs will be coated in tar. When you quit, the body develops new clean tissues and you may initially experience a sore throat.

Insomnia

You may actually find that you sleep better, and you may suddenly become aware of vivid or unusual dreams. If you cannot sleep, smoking won’t help. You’ll have to endure and know that it takes a few days for adaptation. Make sure you are tired enough, watch TV in bed if relevant, or read a riveting yarn. Or consult a physician for a product such as melatonin that can help you sleep during this period. And avoid cola drinks, coffee and tea.

Craving

You may feel grief, as if you are mourning for a dead friend. Good, make sure you remind yourself that the ‘friend’ is dead and let it rest in peace. Within a couple of days you’ll be seeing it as an enemy.

Craving can adopt many guises and it will find the vulnerable spot in you and attack. You just have to endure. Remember that this is just addiction and its antics, and remained focused on your goal instead of the momentary cravings.

Depression (dysphoria)

Nicotine produces a certain euphoria by manipulating brain chemistry, releasing serotonin, dopamine and endorphins among others ‘feel good’ brain chemicals. By not smoking you not only feel the misery of craving and other symptoms, but you are also lacking the usual level of euphoric substances in your brain. This can cause dysphoria, the term used to describe the opposite of euphoria.

At least you know what the source of the feelings is. You are not depressed – you are going through a neuroadaptation process. Your brain chemistry is thriving and returning to normal – in just a few days you will be high on your natural wellbeing and your freedom.

Hang in there – you are a winner!

Difficult moments will pass. If it gets really bad, call on a friend for support.

Hunger

You may experience a temporary increase in appetite, and you may also seek food as compensation for the lack of a cigarette in your mouth. Just be aware and conscious and take it easy. It’s okay if you overeat a little now, just don’t overdo it.

Remember – whether the symptoms are easy to tolerate or they seem like hell – it is a matter of a few days, not weeks, not months, not years. Just a few days and you will be absolutely fine.

Do not give in, no matter what.

You are a non-smoker.

You did it – now stay strong!