Quitting cigarette smoking can be difficult no matter how you do it, but the idea of quitting cold turkey can seem especially daunting.

It may not be the right choice for everyone, but given the damage smoking has on the body, getting it over and done with does have its appeal.

Smoking significantly increases your risk for disease, including several cancers. Every year smoking causes 1 out of 5 deaths in the United States, estimates the American Cancer Society.

There are many nicotine products available to help you wean off nicotine, but the cold turkey method means cutting all nicotine full stop.

Let’s take a look at the process of quitting smoking and tips to help you do it, as well as its pros and cons.

Your body will begin to reap the health benefits of quitting smoking within 20 minutes of your last cigarette.

Withdrawal symptoms can make it feel otherwise, though. Many people feel like they have the flu when quitting smoking.

Nicotine is highly addictive. Research suggests it may be as addictive as cocaine, heroin, and alcohol.

The good news is that withdrawal symptoms are temporary. The worst symptoms usually improve in a few days to a couple of weeks.

Here are some common nicotine withdrawal symptoms:

  • intense cravings for cigarettes
  • irritability
  • feeling down
  • restlessness
  • difficulty sleeping
  • trouble concentrating
  • increased appetite
  • cough or sore throat
  • changes in bowel habits
  • nausea

Withdrawal symptoms and their severity can differ from person to person and change from day to day. As uncomfortable as they can be, nicotine withdrawal typically isn’t dangerous for your health.

Remember that symptoms are only temporary. The longer you go without nicotine, the easier it will get.

Quitting cold turkey means stopping without the aid of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). NRT includes products like gums, sprays, and patches meant to reduce the urge to smoke.

Without NRT, experts argue the results from trying to “white knuckle it” generally aren’t great. Some older studies have found only up to 5 percent of those who quit smoking cold turkey stay quit for at least 6 to 12 months.

There’s no single method to quit smoking that’s right for everyone. Some people prefer to deal with acute withdrawal symptoms for a shorter period by stopping cold turkey. Others may prefer to quit gradually.

Those who choose NRT still have to decide whether to pair it with an abrupt quit date or take a gradual approach. This may mean dealing with milder symptoms for a longer period.

While it’s still not easy, quitting abruptly with the help of NRT significantly increases your chances of abstaining from smoking in the long run as opposed to quitting gradually, suggests a 2016 study involving 697 smokers.

Quitting abruptly with help from NRT also proved more successful than the gradual approach in a 2019 meta-analysis.

You can also look into other ways to quit, such as:

Keep in mind nicotine replacement products may prolong nicotine addiction in some people. Be sure to follow the product’s directions closely for the best outcome.

If you’re determined to quit smoking cold turkey, be ready to deal with cravings and withdrawal symptoms.

You may also try to avoid some things that tend to make you want to smoke, or have a plan in place for when you encounter them.

Here are some tips to help you quit.

You’re going to have cravings. You’re probably going to feel lousy at least for a few days, too. This is totally normal. You can help make the withdrawal phase easier by being prepared.

Here are some tips to help this phase pass as smoothly as possible:

  • Schedule workout classes or other activities to keep your mind off your cravings.
  • Have healthy snacks on hand. Consider foods that keep your mouth busy, like carrots, pretzels, and apples.
  • Buy a new book or choose a new show to binge-watch — anything to keep you engaged during downtime.
  • Have cough lozenges and over-the-counter medication on hand for nausea, cough, and other flu-like symptoms you may experience.
  • Make plans with friends and family. The more support the better.
  • Replace smoking with another habit or simple activity.
Free support to quit smoking

For extra help or expert advice on quitting smoking:

Identifying your triggers is another important step that can prepare you for successful cessation.

Triggers are things that make you want to smoke. They generally fall into one of four categories:

  • pattern
  • emotional
  • social
  • withdrawal

Pattern triggers

A pattern trigger is an activity you associate with smoking. Some common ones include:

  • drinking alcohol or coffee
  • watching TV
  • talking on the phone
  • after sex
  • work breaks
  • finishing a meal
  • driving

If you’re used to having a cigarette during any of these activities, you need to break the association between the two.

Instead of smoking, you can:

  • Replace a cigarette with chewing gum or hard candy.
  • Keep your hand busy by squeezing a stress ball or writing in a journal.
  • Change your routine. Have coffee at a different time, or brush your teeth right after you eat.

Emotional triggers

Intense emotions commonly trigger the desire to smoke. You may be accustomed to smoking when you’re feeling stressed as an escape for negative feelings.

For some people, smoking is an enhancement of a good mood when they’re feeling excited or happy. Feelings that may trigger a craving include:

  • stress
  • anxiety
  • sadness
  • boredom
  • loneliness
  • excitement
  • happiness
  • anger

The key to overcoming emotional triggers is finding healthier ways to cope with your feelings.

Instead of smoking, you can:

  • Talk to someone about what’s bothering you, or share your excitement with a friend or loved one.
  • Talk to a professional, such as a therapist.
  • Get support and connect with experts and others who are quitting smoking from sites such as Smokefree.gov or Quitter’s Circle.
  • Get some exercise to relieve stress and anxiety, and improve your mood.
  • Try relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing, yoga, or listening to calming music.

Social triggers

Social triggers are social occasions that usually include other smokers, such as:

  • parties and social gatherings
  • bars and nightclubs
  • concerts
  • being around other people who smoke

The best way to deal with social triggers is to avoid them for a while. Avoid being around other people who smoke, too.

This can be very difficult if you have close friends and family who smoke. Let them know you have to quit. Ask them not to smoke around you while you’re trying to quit.

Eventually, being around people who are smoking will get easier.

Withdrawal triggers

The longer you’ve smoked, the more used to getting nicotine on a regular basis your body will be. This will affect the frequency and severity of your withdrawal symptoms.

Common withdrawal triggers include:

  • smelling cigarette smoke
  • craving the taste or feeling of cigarettes
  • handling cigarettes, lighters, and matches
  • feeling like you need something to do with your hands
  • other withdrawal symptoms

The best way to deal with withdrawal triggers is to distract yourself from the cravings.

Begin by throwing away your cigarettes and anything related to smoking, like ashtrays. As soon as you feel the urge to smoke, find something to do or someone to talk to.

If your withdrawal is triggering cravings that are overwhelming and you feel you need extra help, speak to your doctor about your options.

The benefits of quitting smoking, regardless of how you do it, are endless. Here are some pros and cons to keep in mind when considering quitting cold turkey.

Pros

  • Withdrawal symptoms usually peak within the first 7 days of cessation. Quitting cold turkey gets you over the hump faster compared to cutting back on nicotine gradually.
  • Your body will begin to benefit from being nicotine-free sooner rather than later.

Cons

  • Your withdrawal symptoms may be more intense than with gradual cessation, though this is temporary.
  • It’s not easy and requires a lot of willpower, especially if you’ve smoked for a long time.
  • For some people, pairing an abrupt quit date with NRT may increase their chances of staying quit.

Quitting cold turkey isn’t for everyone. The withdrawal symptoms can be intense, especially if you’ve smoked for a long time.

But with some preparation and determination, quitting smoking this way means your health begins to improve sooner rather than later. Still, setting an abrupt quit date and using NRT may be more beneficial.

Stopping smoking is the best way to keep your lungs healthy. But it’s not just about your lungs. Nicotine affects every system in your body.

Once you get nicotine out of your system, you’ll feel better overall and lower your risk for heart and lung diseases as well as certain cancers.

Quit smoking today. You can do it!