Nicotine withdrawal

Nicotine withdrawal
Nicotine molecule
Specialty	Psychiatry
Symptoms	Cravings for nicotine, anger or irritability, anxiety, depression, impatience, trouble sleeping, diarrhea, restlessness, hunger, and difficulty concentrating
Usual onset	2-3 hours after last intake of nicotine
Duration	2-4 weeks
Causes	Physical dependence
Diagnostic method	Based on symptoms
Treatment	Nicotine replacement therapy Pharmacological treatment (bupropion, varenicline, cytisine, nortriptyline, clonidine) Cognitive behavioural therapy

Nicotine withdrawal is a group of symptoms that occur in the first few weeks after stopping or decreasing use of nicotine. Symptoms include intense cravings for nicotine, anger or irritability, anxiety, depression, impatience, trouble sleeping, restlessness, hunger, and difficulty concentrating.^[1][2][3] Withdrawal symptoms make it harder to quit nicotine products, and most methods for quitting smoking involve reducing nicotine withdrawal.^[1] Quit smoking programs can make it easier to quit.^[1] Nicotine withdrawal is recognized in both the American Psychiatric Association Diagnostic and Statistical Manual and the WHO International Classification of Diseases.