# Recently quit smoking; Need advice ASAP **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 22, 2012, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recently-quit-smoking-need-advice-asap/610279 "2012-01-22T04:16:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Debon\_Err](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7ea924/32.png) [@Debon\_Err](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Debon_Err)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2012, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recently-quit-smoking-need-advice-asap/610279/1 "2012-01-22T04:16:02Z")
I haven’t had a cigarette in over three weeks. I’ve been doing pretty well and it has been relatively easy to this point (I used Welbutrin). But right now I really just want to beat the living shit out of someone. No one in particular, I am just on the edge and I don’t know what to do. Ever since I was 16 when I felt like this I would have a cigarette and then I felt better. I took a Xanex, I did deep breathing. I don’t want to have a smoke, I just want to feel better. I feel like I’m going to explode! Any suggestions? ---
**Author:** ![Zulema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/db5fbb/32.png) [@Zulema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zulema)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2012, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recently-quit-smoking-need-advice-asap/610279/2 "2012-01-22T04:33:50Z")
Exercise to exhaustion. ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2012, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recently-quit-smoking-need-advice-asap/610279/3 "2012-01-22T04:54:20Z")
> [@Zulema](#): > > Exercise to exhaustion. Bingo. ---
**Author:** ![Dallas\_Jones](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dallas_jones/32/3277_2.png) [@Dallas\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dallas_Jones)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2012, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recently-quit-smoking-need-advice-asap/610279/4 "2012-01-22T05:11:06Z")
Go ahead and beat the shit out of someone, they don’t let you smoke in jail and the extra time ‘clean’ could help. ---
**Author:** ![Mister\_Owl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/919ad9/32.png) [@Mister\_Owl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mister_Owl)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2012, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recently-quit-smoking-need-advice-asap/610279/5 "2012-01-22T05:16:54Z")
Time to learn a martial art. Not only can you exercise to exhaustion, but you can also beat the shit out of someone, or at least try. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2012, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recently-quit-smoking-need-advice-asap/610279/6 "2012-01-22T14:22:32Z")
Try a nicotine patch. When I stopped smoking, I used them, but not as intended. Instead of using them regularly to keep a low level of nicotine in my system, I used them only on an “emergency” basis when the cravings got real bad – I’d slap on a patch instead of lighting up. It seemed to me that I could feel it, and start to relax a bit, within just a few minutes. I’m still not sure whether the nicotine was really in my system that fast, or I was benefitting from some kind of placebo effect. Either way, it worked for me, and I haven’t had a cig in nearly ten years. Idea two, get a punching bag. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2012, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recently-quit-smoking-need-advice-asap/610279/7 "2012-01-22T14:31:52Z")
Everyone I know who’s used Wellbutrin for smoking cessation found themselves suddenly in possession of a wicked temper and constant simmering rage. My son used it to try and treat his depression and reported the same thing. “Agitation” and “hostility” are listed as possible adverse events on the med sheet. It may not be the lack of nicotine. It may be a side effect of the Wellbutrin. If so, the only thing that will really help is to go off the Wellbutrin (following your doctor’s instructions for how to do so, of course.) ---
**Author:** ![chiroptera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df705f/32.png) [@chiroptera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chiroptera)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2012, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recently-quit-smoking-need-advice-asap/610279/8 "2012-01-22T14:37:08Z")
This. Google _wellbutrin rage_. I had exactly the same experience when I used Wellbutrin to quit smoking, quite separate from the extreme irritibility that accompanies quitting nicotine. In my experience, that faded after the first week or so. ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2012, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recently-quit-smoking-need-advice-asap/610279/9 "2012-01-22T15:59:20Z")
Go get a couple of bags of ice. Stand as far back, as you can, from your shower enclosure and start firing! It will make a lot of noise, rattling and crashing, you can throw as hard as you dare, and - very little clean up, when you’re done! Sometimes you just gotta set that demon free! ---
**Author:** ![Dahnlor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dahnlor/32/533_2.png) [@Dahnlor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dahnlor)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2012, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recently-quit-smoking-need-advice-asap/610279/10 "2012-01-22T16:52:34Z")
If your last cigarette was three weeks ago, and if you’re still taking the Wellbutrin, I’d recommend stopping the Wellbutrin, unless you also happen to suffer from depression, in which case you might want to look into a different anti-depressant. I take Wellbutrin for depression, and I’m an ex-smoker but had quit a few years before taking the drug. Everyone I know who’s tried it (also for depression, not for quitting smoking) had complained that it made them wired and agitated. It didn’t affect me in that way, but it did make me a bit scatterbrained during the first few weeks. But anyway, at three weeks in you’re well past the physical withdrawal stage, and now you only need to find a way through the situations where you had normally smoked to get through. Granted, that’s the hardest part, but you don’t need anything to fight off the physical effects anymore. ---
**Author:** ![Debon\_Err](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7ea924/32.png) [@Debon\_Err](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Debon_Err)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2012, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recently-quit-smoking-need-advice-asap/610279/11 "2012-01-22T18:38:52Z")
Thanks! It hadn’t occured to me that it might be the meds at this point. I know the physical addiction part is gone now. I’ve quit before and it is always at about the three month mark that I can’t take it anymore and start up again. I suppose what I really need is a new coping mechanism. Exercise is a good one. What other ways do you cope when you’re upset? (Keeping in mind that I need to avoid additional eating, and alcohol is guaranteed to make me smoke again) ---
**Author:** ![Hockey\_Monkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a183cd/32.png) [@Hockey\_Monkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hockey_Monkey)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2012, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recently-quit-smoking-need-advice-asap/610279/12 "2012-01-22T19:43:07Z")
If you haven’t had nicotine in 3 weeks, don’t put on a patch. You may be having a craving, but you are past the point of nicotine withdrawal. There is no need to reintroduce nicotine to your system only to have to overcome it again. I agree that you may be feeling side effects from the Wellbutrin. Until you can see your doctor, don’t stop taking the Wellbutrin. You can have some bad side effects from suddenly stopping the drug as well. In the meantime, I suggest you find some outlet for what you are feeling, whether that be exercise, meditation, deep breathing, or beating the everliving shit out of something. You are past the point of physical withdrawal now. You can do this. Hockey Monkey - Quitter since Jan 1, 2008 ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2012, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recently-quit-smoking-need-advice-asap/610279/13 "2012-01-22T19:49:02Z")
I have been told that Wrigleys Doublemint gum helps. Hey try it, it’s cheap. Not the sugarfree, and that particular flavor. Do see your MD about the Welbutrin. BTW- many congratulations on staying off the nicotine for 3 weeks! ---
**Author:** ![rat\_avatar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rat_avatar/32/255_2.png) [@rat\_avatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rat_avatar)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2012, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recently-quit-smoking-need-advice-asap/610279/14 "2012-01-22T20:14:58Z")
Despite the advice above. Do NOT use the patch and or the gum, you will just need to quit again. ---
**Author:** ![Kenm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bc79bd/32.png) [@Kenm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kenm)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2012, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recently-quit-smoking-need-advice-asap/610279/15 "2012-01-22T20:18:19Z")
I’ve been off the fuckers since Nov. 3 after at least 40 years. I’m on nicotine gum. It’s worked so far in taking off the edge, then more than just the edge. I’m gradually using the gum less and less, but even if I never get off it, it’s better than inhaling that shit. And it’s cheaper, too. **Edit:** Regarding the post immediately above, I could never have quit without the gum crutch. The patches didn’t work. The gum allows tapering off. Here, at least, It comes in strengths of 4 mg, 2 mg and 1 mg. I jump between the 4 and the 2, but I use the 4 fewer and fewer times. ---
**Author:** ![Dendarii\_Dame](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bbce88/32.png) [@Dendarii\_Dame](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dendarii_Dame)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2012, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recently-quit-smoking-need-advice-asap/610279/16 "2012-01-22T20:57:25Z")
Try hitting a pillow, or riding a stationary bike if you have one, or eating raw carrots. (Crunch, crunch, crunch!) ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2012, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recently-quit-smoking-need-advice-asap/610279/17 "2012-01-22T21:14:02Z")
> [@Kenm](#): > > I’ve been off the fuckers since Nov. 3 after at least 40 years. I’m on nicotine gum. It’s worked so far in taking off the edge, then more than just the edge. > > I’m gradually using the gum less and less, but even if I never get off it, it’s better than inhaling that shit. And it’s cheaper, too. > > **Edit:** Regarding the post immediately above, I could never have quit without the gum crutch. The patches didn’t work. The gum allows tapering off. Here, at least, It comes in strengths of 4 mg, 2 mg and 1 mg. I jump between the 4 and the 2, but I use the 4 fewer and fewer times. Gums and patches are great for some people, but not if she’s already been 3 weeks off nicotine. There is no physical addiction to the nicotine anymore, “just” the behavioral and emotional addictions to smoking. ---
**Author:** ![Kenm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bc79bd/32.png) [@Kenm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kenm)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2012, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recently-quit-smoking-need-advice-asap/610279/18 "2012-01-22T21:40:01Z")
> [@WhyNot](#): > > There is no physical addiction to the nicotine anymore, “just” the behavioral and emotional addictions to smoking. According to [**this article**](http://www.primehealthchannel.com/how-long-does-nicotine-stay-in-your-system.html), nicotine can remain in the body for months. > [@](#): > > In order to know the fact as to how long nicotine stays in your system, you need to remember the duration of smoking and the number of cigarettes smoked per day. Usually nicotine persists in the body for 2-4 days but in some cases it may also last for a few months. However, in the case of passive smoking the nicotine remains in the body for a long time. The presence of nicotine is usually detected in the urine, blood, and hair follicle through medical tests. > > \ > > Nicotine Hair Test > > Although this test is expensive and not often recommended for employees, yet it is used for accurate analysis of the traces of nicotine in the body due to its ability to trace the presence of potentially toxic elements. The hair follicle test can be conducted even after 30-90 days of smoking or may even last a year. Any of the usual nicotine-withdrawal symptoms after even after a lengthy period wouldn’t necessarily be psychological. As a WAG (and question), could any receptors detect traces and “demand” more? I agree that if a person has quit all nicotine delivery systems for three weeks, going back to any would be supremely counter-productive. Unfortunately, before using the gum I could never make it beyond a few days. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2012, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recently-quit-smoking-need-advice-asap/610279/19 "2012-01-22T21:45:03Z")
> [@Kenm](#): > > According to [**this article**](http://www.primehealthchannel.com/how-long-does-nicotine-stay-in-your-system.html), nicotine can remain in the body for months.Any of the usual nicotine-withdrawal symptoms after even after a lengthy period wouldn’t necessarily be psychological. As a WAG (and question), could any receptors detect traces and “demand” more? > > I agree that if a person has quit all nicotine delivery systems for three weeks, going back to any would be supremely counter-productive. Unfortunately, before using the gum I could never make it beyond a few days. No, the simple presence of nicotine in the body does not mean that the person is physically addicted to nicotine. ---
**Author:** ![Dallas\_Jones](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dallas_jones/32/3277_2.png) [@Dallas\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dallas_Jones)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2012, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recently-quit-smoking-need-advice-asap/610279/20 "2012-01-22T21:47:14Z")
> [@rat\_avatar](#): > > Despite the advice above. > > Do NOT use the patch and or the gum, you will just need to quit again. Recent studies have shown that the patch and nicotine gums do not work. Here is an article on the Harvard study: [http://www.boston.com/Boston/dailydose/2012/01/nicotine-patches-and-gum-don-work-long-term-for-smokers-harvard-study-finds/55ZXUdIxUelydpBG1U4HLP/index.html?camp=bnb](http://www.boston.com/Boston/dailydose/2012/01/nicotine-patches-and-gum-don-work-long-term-for-smokers-harvard-study-finds/55ZXUdIxUelydpBG1U4HLP/index.html?camp=bnb) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recently-quit-smoking-need-advice-asap/610279.md?page=2)