Nicotine is an addictive substance affecting a large percentage of the population.

In the United States alone last 2019, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that 34.1 million people smoked cigarettes. About 1,600 youth get to try their first puff each day. The CDC also adds that many adult smokers want to quit smoking. While the road to nicotine recovery may be paved with myths, being armed with the facts and profound faith can help anyone conquer smoking addiction.

Knowing the recovery from nicotine addiction: myth vs. facts, allows you to create an effective strategy and approach to your recovery. Be well on your way from nicotine addiction when you have Haven House with you.

What Does Nicotine Do to Your Body?

That split-second of cigarette puff brings forth a multitude of detrimental effects not only to the one who’s smoking but also to those who catch second hand smoke. While nicotine produces feelings of increased concentration and pleasure as it triggers a variety of chemical reactions, such effects are fleeting. The negative effects nicotine delivers outweigh its consequences on our overall health and well-being.

For every puff made, nicotine gets absorbed into your bloodstream and makes its way toward your adrenal glands. Fueled by nicotine, the glands release adrenaline. This, in turn, causes an increase in blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing. On top of those, you get that instant good feeling.

However, nicotine brings more bane than that instant boon experience. As reported by the CDC, smoking causes diseases and disability. It endangers almost every organ in our body. In fact, more than 16 million Americans are stricken with a smoking-related disease.

Smoking is the culprit of heart disease, stroke, cancer, lung diseases, diabetes, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis. The detrimental effects of smoking on our health extends to an increased risk for tuberculosis, certain eye diseases, immune system problems, and arthritis.

On top of these, secondhand smoke causes approximately 41,000 deaths among non-smoking adults and 400 infant deaths yearly.

Without a doubt, nicotine is a deleterious substance. This is why the sooner you decide to quit, the better your chances of recovery.

Common Withdrawal Symptoms of Nicotine Use

Anyone who has just started the journey to nicotine recovery may experience a wide range of physical and mental withdrawal symptoms such as:

• Cigarette Cravings
• Sad Or Down Feelings
• Irritable Or Grouchy Feelings
• Restlessness Or Jumpy Feelings
• Hungry Feelings
• Thinking Or Concentration Troubles
• Slower Heart Rate
• Weight Gain

How Long Does Nicotine Stay In Your System?

There are several ways to consume nicotine. When your method of consumption is through a pipe, e-cigarette, or cigarette, the human body absorbs it through the lungs and into the mouth and throat’s membrane.

Your body may also absorb nicotine through your gastrointestinal tract if you chew nicotine gum, tobacco, or lozenges. It may also get absorbed through the skin if you use a nicotine patch. So how long does nicotine stay in your system after you quit smoking? The answer depends on several factors such as:

• Age
• Weight
• Frequency of use
• Hydration levels
• Type of nicotine product
• Physical activity levels

There’s no definite answer to the question: How long does nicotine stay in your system? However, it’s better to start your way to recovery as soon as possible.

Another common query among active smokers is: How long does nicotine stay in your blood system? The answer is: one to three days. However, its cotinine byproduct can be detected within 10 days.

Nicotine Recovery Timeline: What You Should Know

As nicotine is addictive, the body and mind quickly adapt to the amount of nicotine present in the system. If the body doesn’t get its desired amount, a person may experience withdrawal symptoms.

When someone smokes on a regular basis, they can easily build a tolerance to the substance, resulting in intense withdrawal symptoms. As such, kick-starting the nicotine recovery becomes difficult.

Aside from knowing how long does nicotine stay in your blood system, anyone who’s on the way to recovery should get acquainted with the nicotine recovery timeline. Find out what happens to your well-being when you stop smoking:

• 1 hour: After an hour of smoking your final cigarette, your resting heart rate will decrease. Your blood pressure will start to stabilize as your circulation improves.
• 12 hours: The body will start to eliminate carbon monoxide, toxins from cigarettes. This prevents oxygen from going to your lungs and bloodstream.
• 1 day: As your body readjusts to the absence of nicotine, it will decrease your risk of experiencing heart disease induced by smoking.
• 2 days: On the 48-hour mark of your nicotine recovery, your sense of taste and smell will improve. This happens because your nerve endings in control of these senses start to heal.
• 3 days: On the third day, your body will flush out the remaining traces of nicotine. Although this is good for your health, you may begin experiencing withdrawal symptoms. You may experience cravings, irritability, and headaches.
• 1 month: Within a month of your nicotine recovery progress, your lung function gets better. You’ll experience less coughing and shortness of breath brought about by smoking.
• 9 months: After nine months, your lungs may have only minor traces of damage due to nicotine consumption. The cilia, which is the hair-like structure in the lungs, will have regenerated by this time.
• 1 year: When you reach your 12-month milestone in nicotine recovery, your risk of developing coronary heart disease due to smoking drops by half compared to active smokers.
• 5 years: As your body heals, your arteries and blood vessels will return to normal. When your blood vessels and arteries are healthy, you have a decreased risk for clotting. Thus, lowering the odds of experiencing a stroke.
• 10 years: When you reach the 10-year mark, your risk for developing lung cancer, bladder cancer, and esophageal cancer significantly decreases.
• 15 years: On your 15th year of being nicotine-free, your risk for heart disease is similar to that of a non-smoker.
• 20 years: In 20 years of your nicotine recovery, your chances of developing health issues related to smoking will continue to decrease.

Recovery from Nicotine Addiction: Myth vs. Facts

Several myths surround nicotine recovery. Thus, arriving at the facts may become challenging. Haven House Recovery Center is here to debunk some of the myths and reveal the truth about this matter.

Myth #1: Smoking is a choice.

Fact: For the first hit of a cigarette, it is. For the succeeding occasions of smoking, it’s not. As nicotine causes a chemical imbalance in the brain, smoking may only seem like a habit. Some people may find it difficult to quit. It may take several attempts before someone can become successful in combating addiction.

Myth #2: Cigarette filters make it safer.

Fact: Although they’re called filters, they’re not designed to filter the toxins from cigarettes. They’re there to make smoke particles smaller leading to the rapid absorption of nicotine into your system. Cigarettes are engineered to take a quicker pathway to the brain.

Myth #3: Light or low-tar cigarettes are better.

Fact: They’re not less dangerous. Cigarette packs with “light” or “low-tar” labels are no longer allowed. No type of cigarette is safe for your body. The tobacco smoke itself contains around 7,000 chemicals, 250 of which are toxic.

Myth #4: Occasional cigarette smoking is not a big deal.

Fact: When you compare regular smoking to occasional smoking, it may not seem like a big deal. However, occasional smoking affects non-smokers. Cigarette smoking may trigger death and heart attack, even to people who don’t smoke.

Myth #5: Secondhand smoke is bothersome, but it’s not dangerous.

Fact: According to the CDC, secondhand smoke causes 7,333 yearly deaths from lung cancer and 33,951 from heart disease. Anyone who doesn’t smoke but gets constant exposure to secondhand smoke can experience drastic health effects. The chemicals from cigarettes can alter one’s blood chemistry within a short period of time.

It can cause clots and block the arteries in your heart or brain. When you smoke in a public place, everyone close to you inhales the toxins. Rolling down your car window as you smoke doesn’t limit the exposure of your passengers.

Myth #6: It’s too late to quit. The damage of cigarette smoking is irreversible.

Fact: Continuous consumption of nicotine in any way is dangerous to your body. However, no matter how old you are, quitting will help improve your health. As mentioned, an hour from your last cigarette puff will enhance your circulation and heart rate.

Myth #7: The minimal amount of smoke children inhale doesn’t hurt them.

Fact: You shouldn’t smoke around children, even adults. Children are more prone to certain health issues such as pneumonia, ear infection, and bronchitis. Opening your window is not enough as traces of cigarette smoke cling to the surface and stay in the air.

Secondhand smoke poses a great risk for children with asthma. If nicotine recovery is not yet an option, the best thing to protect your children is to quit smoking or keep your home and your vehicle smoke-free.

Treatment Options for Nicotine Addiction

Of course, knowing the answer to the question – how long does nicotine stay in your system after you quit smoking – is important. However, it’s equally relevant to know the treatment options available for nicotine recovery.

Here are some of them to get you started:

Therapy

There are different therapy options that may work in combination with each other. Your therapist may recommend the following:

• Mindfulness Session
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
• Motivational Interviewing

Medications

It is always best to have a consultation first with your primary care doctor before taking any medications to combat smoking. Your doctor is the best person who may recommend certain medications in conjunction with nicotine replacement therapy. Some medications are Zyban and Chantix.

Lifestyle Changes

Engage in recreational activities to keep your mind off of nicotine cravings. Involve your family and friends in the process to get the support you need during your nicotine recovery journey.

Begin Your Journey to Recovery with Haven House

If you’re looking for a center for addiction recovery in Sta. Rosa Beach, FL, choose us.

With us, start your path in nicotine recovery. Our recovery center in Hartsville, Tennessee is also ready to welcome you with open arms. Reach out to us today!