What Happens When You Quit Smoking Cold Turkey

Cold turkey is defined as the process of withdrawing from an addiction like smoking suddenly or at once, instead of reducing the addiction gradually or by using medication. This is a very common way of quitting the habit of smoking which is known as "quit smoking cold turkey" way.

The human body is such that, it takes time to adjust to certain changes which are either incorporated or withdrawn. The effects of these changes are thus observed after a certain duration of time such as a few days or may be weeks.

A good example of this would be if you are on a diet or on medicines which include doses that have to be increased or decreased for efficacy. Similarly, if you are addicted to smoking cigarettes and wish to quit, the appropriate way to do so would be reduce gradually.

However, many individuals choose to stop smoking suddenly and find it effective as well. But there are a few side effects for this sudden change, to find out what happens when you quit smoking cold turkey, keep reading.

As mentioned above, there is some or the other result of change on the body, and these results can be good and bad. When you quit smoking suddenly, there are two things that can happen, viz; you might get rid of your addiction which is the benefit, but the body will take time to adjust to this change and display some physical and mental problems.

Even though this is an extremely recommended way of quitting the addiction, as you might never want to smoke again, there could be opposite effects to this technique as well. Therefore, here's what happens, in both the positive and negative ways.

• Usually, the alternative to cold turkey is the nicotine replacement therapy which is the gradual process of releasing smokers from the addiction. This is a therapy used in rehabilitation centers where there are medicines that are provided instead of nicotine.

• When the addict simply decides to quit suddenly and withdraws for a certain duration, he/she has a strong will to put an end to this habit.

• This approach can be followed by light smokers (who find it easier), and heavy smokers (who may need a trigger, such as illnesses due to smoking). But the immediate benefits are clean and white teeth, better breath and sense of smell as well as taste.

• Stamina increases and you don't have breathing or respiratory problems, giving you the ability to perform activities more efficiently. Chances of asthma and other bronchial problems are minimum and you could also be safe from heart attacks, strokes and cancers.

• When you are a smoker for a long time, your body is habituated to the comfort provided by nicotine, because it acts more as a medicine than a poison for you. It relieves you from your headaches, your stress and even keeps your appetite under control.

• However, there are certain side effects that are caused on the body, due to the sudden interruption of the nicotine in the body.

• This leads to physical and mental problems such as; intense craving for cigarettes, insomnia, irritability, headaches, fatigue, stress, increased appetite and weight gain, low concentration, etc. The sudden withdrawal from cigarettes leads to the extreme urge to smoke, challenging your will power.

• Other minor physical conditions like fatigue, weight gain and skin problems can also be a side effect of the withdrawal. Increased stress leading to insomnia and increased appetite due to stress can make matters worse. To avoid these sudden side effects, it is very important to gradually stop smoking rather than going for cold turkey.

These were the pros and cons of quitting smoking suddenly. Depending on your capacity to handle withdrawal, you should decide the technique of breaking the dangerous habit of smoking.