My Cold Turkey Journey to Quit Nicotine

I’m Sam, and I’m 24 years old. I started smoking and vaping in high school, just like a lot of people around me. It started as something social, something to do when hanging out with friends. But over time, it became more than that—it became a part of my daily routine, something I couldn’t go without. I didn’t realize how deep my addiction had gotten until I tried to quit cold turkey. When I decided to quit, I thought I could handle it. I had read about how tough it could be, but I figured it couldn’t be that bad. I was wrong. The first thing that hit me was the cravings. I couldn’t believe how strong they were. I found myself constantly thinking about smoking, even dreaming about it. I started to wonder, "how long does it take to get over a nicotine addiction cold turkey?" The days felt like they were dragging on forever, and I couldn’t see the light at the end of the tunnel. The physical symptoms were brutal. I had heard about how bad nicotine addiction could be, but living it was something else. I was constantly jittery, couldn’t focus, and had this overwhelming sense of anxiety. I started researching how long it would take to stop feeling like this, and found a lot of different answers. Some people said it took weeks, others said months. I kept asking myself, "how long does it take to stop nicotine addiction?" but the truth was, it felt like there was no end in sight. I also started to notice the impact that nicotine had on my ADHD. I had always used nicotine as a way to calm down and focus, but without it, my ADHD symptoms felt out of control. I started wondering, "how does nicotine affect someone with ADHD?" and found that a lot of people with ADHD turn to nicotine for self-medication. But without it, I was struggling to find a new balance. As the days turned into weeks, I started to think about whether my addiction might be genetic. I come from a family of smokers, and I couldn’t help but wonder, "does nicotine addiction run in the family?" It felt like I was fighting against something bigger than just a habit, something that had been passed down through generations. The thought of that was overwhelming, but it also made me more determined to break the cycle. I started to look up nicotine addiction statistics, hoping to find some reassurance that what I was going through was normal. I read about the nicotine addiction statistics in Australia and other countries, and realized just how many people were struggling with the same thing. It was both comforting and disheartening to know that I wasn’t alone in this fight. One thing that surprised me was how much harder it was to quit vaping compared to smoking. I had always thought vaping was a “safer” alternative, but quitting was just as tough. I searched for tips on how to stop nicotine addiction from vaping, but it seemed like the process was just as grueling, if not more so, than quitting cigarettes. During this time, I also noticed the long-term effects of using nicotine gum. I had used it before to help with cravings, but I started to worry about the long-term effects of nicotine gum addiction. The thought that I might just be trading one addiction for another was terrifying. I read up on the side effects of nicotine gum addiction and knew I had to avoid that path at all costs. What really helped me was finding support. I didn’t want to go through this alone, so I looked up where to get help for nicotine addiction and found a local support group. Talking to others who were going through the same thing made a huge difference. They understood the cravings, the anxiety, the sleepless nights, and it helped to know that I wasn’t alone. The journey wasn’t easy. I had to remind myself every day that this was a process, that I wouldn’t feel better overnight. I kept asking myself, "how long until nicotine addiction goes away?" but I knew deep down that it was something I’d have to take day by day. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that quitting nicotine cold turkey is one of the hardest things you can do, but it’s also one of the most rewarding. The physical symptoms, the mental struggles, the moments of doubt—they’re all part of the process. But with time, patience, and support, it does get better. I’m still on this journey, but I’m getting stronger every day, and I know that I’ll come out the other side free from nicotine for good.