These symptoms can start within 20 minutes after you last used tobacco, and usually peak by the second or third day. Nicotine is a water soluble drug, and generally leaves the body within three to five days. However, the trauma from the effects of the withdrawal, the continuing process of the body cleaning itself out from years of tobacco use, and the possible contaminates still left in the tar residue in the lungs, can cause health effects for days or weeks longer. Usually the tobacco user starts to feel welcomed relief within the first two weeks. The best way to get through this often difficult time is to arrange as much social, psychological and environmental support as possible.
Good preparation can dramatically reduce the severity of symptoms.
Remind yourself often that the majority of unpleasant feelings usually pass within a few days. Then you will be free of this bothersome, embarrassing and life-threatening habit. Since tobacco users have a habit of obtaining increased concentration and alertness from tobacco, they sometimes experience feeling foggy, unfocused, unmotivated and forgetful for a short time after they reduce or quit. Fortunately, these psychological symptoms also pass their peak by the second or third day, then drop rapidly. Happily, there are many positive psychological symptoms and physical effects to counterbalance the negative effects of nicotine withdrawal.