Table of ContentsView AllTable of Contents3 Days After Quitting Smoking3 Weeks After Quitting Smoking3 Months After Quitting SmokingOther Questions About Quitting Smoking

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Table of Contents

3 Days After Quitting Smoking

3 Weeks After Quitting Smoking

3 Months After Quitting Smoking

Other Questions About Quitting Smoking

When you quit smoking, you may experience the “icky threes”: extra challenges on day 3, week 3, and month 3 of not smoking. In other words, you may experience additional side effects at the third day, third week, and third month after quitting smoking.

Not everyone experiences the icky threes. And if you do, they might happen at slightly different time intervals. But these tough times are common enough to take note of and be prepared for in case you experience them.

At a GlanceYou may experience certain side effects at three days, three weeks, and three months after quitting smoking. Knowing what to expect can help you manage these challenges more effectively. Such effects can include flu-like symptoms in the early days after quitting and (sometimes intense) nicotine cravings in the weeks and months that follow.Learn more about why day 3, week 3, and month 3 after quitting smoking are often some of the hardest and what you can do to cope with some of the more challenging side effects of smoking cessation.

At a Glance

You may experience certain side effects at three days, three weeks, and three months after quitting smoking. Knowing what to expect can help you manage these challenges more effectively. Such effects can include flu-like symptoms in the early days after quitting and (sometimes intense) nicotine cravings in the weeks and months that follow.Learn more about why day 3, week 3, and month 3 after quitting smoking are often some of the hardest and what you can do to cope with some of the more challenging side effects of smoking cessation.

You may experience certain side effects at three days, three weeks, and three months after quitting smoking. Knowing what to expect can help you manage these challenges more effectively. Such effects can include flu-like symptoms in the early days after quitting and (sometimes intense) nicotine cravings in the weeks and months that follow.

Learn more about why day 3, week 3, and month 3 after quitting smoking are often some of the hardest and what you can do to cope with some of the more challenging side effects of smoking cessation.

The first three days of smoking cessation are intense for most ex-smokers, and day 3 is when many people experience the discomforts of physical withdrawal.

What to Do

They key to surviving day three is to understand the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal and what you can do to keep them at bay.

7 Tips for Surviving Nicotine Withdrawal

At three weeks, you’ve likely gotten through the shock of physical withdrawal. Now you’re beginning to tackle the mental side of nicotine addiction, or psychological withdrawal.This turn of events often triggers cravings to smoke that can feel like you’re back at square one.

Thinking about that smoke break you used to take at a certain time of the day can cause tension that makes your stomach churn and leaves you on edge. It feels like a physical craving, and in a way it is… but the source is a thought, not a physical need for nicotine.

One of the first (and perhaps simplest) steps to survive the side effects you’ll feel 3 weeks after quitting smoking is to remind yourself of the reasons why you decided to quit in the first place.

Better yet, take a piece of paper and jot down all the reasons that quitting will benefit you and your life. This quick exercise will help you fend off anyaddictive thought patterns, which involve romanticizing smoking or rationalizing one last cigarette.

You can also try these strategies to help combat thoughts of smoking and build a strong mindset for smoking cessation.

At three months, the novelty of the quit program is wearing off. Many ex-smokers are left thinking"Is that all there is?“In other words, the blahs hit around this time. They usually triggercravings to smoke, often quite intensely.

This is a time period when relapse is common. It can be discouraging to have strong smoking urges surface after months of cessation.

For those who don’t know why it’s happening, it can feel like nicotine addiction will never let go of us and there’s no use in trying to quit.

Quitting smoking and preventing a relapse takes a lot of mental work on your part, especially during thefirst year of smoking cessation.

Quitting smoking can be rough, but it helps to know what you can expect in terms of side effects during the days, weeks, and months after you smoke your last cigarette.

What day is the hardest when you quit smoking?

While a challenging day can happen at any time, most smokers agree that day 3 of not smoking is the hardest because that’s when symptoms of physical withdrawal tend to peak.

What happens to your body when you quit smoking?

When you quit smoking, changes in your body can occur within minutes, hours, and days. For example, your blood pressure lowers, your pulse rate reduces, your body temperature returns to normal, your taste and smell receptors begin to heal, your circulation improves, and your lung function improves.

What Happens When You Stop Smoking?

How long does nicotine withdrawal last?

Not everyone experiences nicotine withdrawal the same way. That said, nicotine withdrawal symptoms are typically at their worst on day 3 and then gradually taper off over the course of three to four weeks.

How long do cravings last when quitting smoking?

Just like nicotine withdrawal, the severity of your cravings will often depend on how long and how frequently you smoked. In general, cravings will subside about three to four weeks after quitting.

Takeaway

Don’t let the discomforts that come with smoking cessation throw you off course. They areall temporary, and once you move through them, they’ll be cleared out and gone for good. It takes time, though, so try to relax and let it unfold for you as it will.

Don’t put preconceived expectations on your recovery. Resolve to give yourself as much time as it takes for you. Do this and you will find peace—and eventually, lasting freedom.

If you or a loved one are struggling with substance use or addiction, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

If you or a loved one are struggling with substance use or addiction, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.

For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

5 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.McLaughlin I, Dani JA, De Biasi M.Nicotine withdrawal. In: Balfour DJK, Munafò MR, eds.The Neuropharmacology of Nicotine Dependence. Vol 24. Springer International Publishing; 2015:99-123. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-13482-6_4Ussher MH, Faulkner GEJ, Angus K, Hartmann-Boyce J, Taylor AH.Exercise interventions for smoking cessation.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2019;2019(10):CD002295. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD002295.pub6Heckman BW, Dahne J, Germeroth LJ, et al.Does cessation fatigue predict smoking-cessation milestones? A longitudinal study of current and former smokers.J Consult Clin Psychol. 2018;86(11):903-914. doi:10.1037/ccp0000338Ameringer KJ, Leventhal AM.Psychological symptoms, smoking lapse behavior, and the mediating effects of nicotine withdrawal symptoms: A laboratory study.Psychol Addict Behav. 2015;29(1):71-81. doi:10.1037/adb0000029Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.7 common withdrawal symptoms.

5 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.McLaughlin I, Dani JA, De Biasi M.Nicotine withdrawal. In: Balfour DJK, Munafò MR, eds.The Neuropharmacology of Nicotine Dependence. Vol 24. Springer International Publishing; 2015:99-123. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-13482-6_4Ussher MH, Faulkner GEJ, Angus K, Hartmann-Boyce J, Taylor AH.Exercise interventions for smoking cessation.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2019;2019(10):CD002295. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD002295.pub6Heckman BW, Dahne J, Germeroth LJ, et al.Does cessation fatigue predict smoking-cessation milestones? A longitudinal study of current and former smokers.J Consult Clin Psychol. 2018;86(11):903-914. doi:10.1037/ccp0000338Ameringer KJ, Leventhal AM.Psychological symptoms, smoking lapse behavior, and the mediating effects of nicotine withdrawal symptoms: A laboratory study.Psychol Addict Behav. 2015;29(1):71-81. doi:10.1037/adb0000029Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.7 common withdrawal symptoms.

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

McLaughlin I, Dani JA, De Biasi M.Nicotine withdrawal. In: Balfour DJK, Munafò MR, eds.The Neuropharmacology of Nicotine Dependence. Vol 24. Springer International Publishing; 2015:99-123. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-13482-6_4Ussher MH, Faulkner GEJ, Angus K, Hartmann-Boyce J, Taylor AH.Exercise interventions for smoking cessation.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2019;2019(10):CD002295. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD002295.pub6Heckman BW, Dahne J, Germeroth LJ, et al.Does cessation fatigue predict smoking-cessation milestones? A longitudinal study of current and former smokers.J Consult Clin Psychol. 2018;86(11):903-914. doi:10.1037/ccp0000338Ameringer KJ, Leventhal AM.Psychological symptoms, smoking lapse behavior, and the mediating effects of nicotine withdrawal symptoms: A laboratory study.Psychol Addict Behav. 2015;29(1):71-81. doi:10.1037/adb0000029Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.7 common withdrawal symptoms.

McLaughlin I, Dani JA, De Biasi M.Nicotine withdrawal. In: Balfour DJK, Munafò MR, eds.The Neuropharmacology of Nicotine Dependence. Vol 24. Springer International Publishing; 2015:99-123. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-13482-6_4

Ussher MH, Faulkner GEJ, Angus K, Hartmann-Boyce J, Taylor AH.Exercise interventions for smoking cessation.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2019;2019(10):CD002295. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD002295.pub6

Heckman BW, Dahne J, Germeroth LJ, et al.Does cessation fatigue predict smoking-cessation milestones? A longitudinal study of current and former smokers.J Consult Clin Psychol. 2018;86(11):903-914. doi:10.1037/ccp0000338

Ameringer KJ, Leventhal AM.Psychological symptoms, smoking lapse behavior, and the mediating effects of nicotine withdrawal symptoms: A laboratory study.Psychol Addict Behav. 2015;29(1):71-81. doi:10.1037/adb0000029

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.7 common withdrawal symptoms.

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