Does nicotine withdrawal really last for months or years?

I started cold Turkey 2 hours ago please pray that I stay strong 🙏🙏smoker for over 30 years, father in heaven keep me strong please

I had terrible withdrawal symptoms for more than 3 months when I quit smoking. I'd never go through this again so for this reason I'd never take another puff. I'm now quit for 15 months and I'm just now starting to feel the way I felt back when I was a never smoker. To anyone who's trying to quit I can say that if someone as hooked as me made it through then you can do it too. I was smoking 70 cigs a day and I'd wake in the middle of the night in order to smoke. So have faith people, listen to what mr. Spitzer says, and never take another puff.

I stopped smoking last year, it took 10 months before my lungs felt tolerably ok, I had terrible withdrawal symptoms, couldn't sleep for a month And do you know what? I would do it TWICE MORE to be able to finally claim that I am a non-smoker, never been so proud in my life 😁

Started cold turkey just a few minutes ago.

It took over 5 years after I quit smoking for me to stop dreaming about smoking. Now I don't think about it at all.

Anyone can quit if they want to bad enough!!! But, I’ve had severe depression and I’ve not smoked for 3 months. It is because of the lack of dopamine being released from hitting a cigarette. So, yes it can take months to not have withdrawal symptoms. I really don’t want to have a Dr give me a “pill” fix cuz then I’d have to get off of that. Depression sucks!!!! But, I’m proud of quitting for 3 months.

I'm just over 18 months quit and it just feels normal to not smoke and I feel all the better for it. Thanks Joel your videos provided invaluable information in the early days of my quit

Nearly 2 years nicotine free thanks to you Joel. I owe my quit to you.

I say this from personal experience, but if you are feeling withdrawal symptoms past several weeks (physically, they peak in 1 - 3 days, but not uncommon to still feel "out of sorts" for a few weeks as your mind and body adjust and normalize) then there is something else going on and smoking just masked it or put a band-aide on it; maybe it's boredom in life, lack of purpose, lack of direction, anxiety, etc. We all feel these things from time to time, but the difference for an ex-smoker is that we attribute it to quitting smoking. From my perspective, those aren't withdrawal symptoms past a few weeks; those are other issues that need addressed. Sometimes addressing those issues can be as simple as finding a hobby that lights you up, sometimes finding tools to calm and ground yourself like QiGong, deep breathing, prayer, or meditation, and sometimes a licensed therapist might be what you need. Point being that as somebody who knows this struggle, I am pretty confident that if you are having "withdrawal symptoms" that are lasting months or years,... it's not the cigarettes/nicotine and there is help out there in all kinds of forms.

Dear Joel, My heartfelt respect is for you. I cannot express in words how much I admire your thoughtful advise and constant effort to help people to get rid of a horrible addiction. Thank you so much. 3 Weeks completed today. NTAP for life.

44yr smoker who quit 4yrs ago, cold turkey. I promise you, you will be glad you did. All of us were born non-smokers, so ask yourself, what did you do to occupy your time before cigarettes? Do it. You'll feel better, you'll look better, and you'll save a TON of money. I have ZERO desire to ever smoke again, ZERO.

You are right Joe, I quitted 8 days ago and the 3th and 4th were the breaking point for me. The 4th day around noon I actually decided to go buy tobaco cos I couldn't take it anymore, but somehow I got distracted with other things and went to bed without smoking. Next day the 5th I felt like a demon had just left my body. I woke up to a completely different reality, a sweet reality pretty much like the one I had when I was a kid and my body wasn't a slave to any substance. Yes I do get the cravings for a couple of minutes now and then, but having been through hell these cravings feel like a walk in the park. And you know what Joe? I think determination is the key word here. If you are determined to go through hell, to go to war against your biology and your habits you will definately win this battle. Cheers man.

I wanted to thank you Joel, for all the time and effort you have put into these videos. Your videos have helped me quit and stay strong.

My last smoke was on 5/8/2017 and your video clip played a huge role in the beginning for me to stay quit. I’ve watched this video over 100 times among a few other ones. Thank you!

I smoked for about 42 years and just stopped smoking one morning. I initially missed the "habit" of lighting a cigarette, but had no cigarettes or lighters/matches. I did not experience any excessive withdrawal symptoms as such and I also did not eat more or replaced it with another habit. You are 100% correct that there is not a "norm" and people withdraw differently. I still don't smoke!

9 months smoke free. I've watched each of your videos at least twice lol. Yours has been the absolute best information I've received regarding a smoke free life , I really want to say thank you so much. My life has been fabulous since I've quit. and thank you for posting up a new video. something about listen to your passion about quitting is what helped me through my first 3 days. and I've never looked back.

Thank you Joel for all you do. 2 years for me! :)

almost 2 month after quitting still feeling withdrawals, went to doctor, everything is fine, and yet feel like crap still.

Joel it's because of your help through your website and videos I have successfully quit 20 years of smoking! I am smoke free since over two years now!! Thanks to you and what you have been doing for humanity Can't express through words how life is as a non smoker, life is so good now and I love myself!! Smoking is an itch which never gets satisfied, I got tired of trying to fulfill that crave which never gets satisfied.. That's how one successfully quits any vice but to understand this simple philosophy of quitting, one needs a Guru like you who constantly finds out different ways to make realize this simple fact I wish may God grant You Joel Spitzer a good life!

I'm going into hour 48 as I watch this video. I made it three weeks last year, and I know it keeps getting a little easier every day. Thanks for the videos Joel!