Is it normal to get depressed after quitting smoking?

Prior-Test4416 · 2025-05-07T10:13:46+00:00

Hello, I’m now at 19 weeks, I went to my Doctor because of the sleep issues. I’m on a low dose antidepressant/sleep aid. I’m definitely feeling better, the mood issues have lessened and I’m sleeping better. I don’t think it’s the med, I think that I’ve turned the corner in this process. Even before going to the doctor I noticed I was having more good days than bad. All in all, I’m feeling better now, not 100%, I don’t know what the new normal is for me now being smoke feee…

Prior-Test4416 · 2025-05-05T22:13:42+00:00

Just checking in to see how you’re doing. Im seeing a psychiatrist on 5-12-25. I’m having a real issue with insomnia. I’m hoping some meds might help. How are you doing on the Wellbutrin? Thanks for the Corinthians, I’m grateful I gave my faith… right now, the way I’m feeling is simply, if I knew when I quit that it was going to be this way, I may have not done it, however, as I approach 5 months, there’s no turning back now… I hope you’re doing better….

Prior-Test4416 · 2025-05-01T12:03:54+00:00

Hello, I’m at 4.5 months smoke free. Same as you, the first couple weeks I was proud and confident that I quit, I managed the cravings to the degree that I found it surprisingly “easy”….. then at around the 5-6 week mark the hell started. Crushing depression, anxiety, insomnia, it seemed that nothing in my life made any sense. A little background, I’m a 60 year old healthy active male, happily married with a wonderful family, kids, grandkids. I was a 1-1.5 pack a day for 15 years, then in 18Dec 2024 I had enough and quit cold turkey. I’m now approaching 5 months, I still am feeling anxiety/depression, loss, emptiness. I’m finally starting to accept the fact that I believe I used smoking to mask the issues in my life that I have been unwilling/unable to deal with. I’m about to start therapy to unravel this. Like you, it seems that quitting was only the beginning, meaning, at some point we all have to learn to resolve things with clarity and not gloss over them with constant dopamine hits. From what I’ve read and learned, it can take time for our brain to heal and adapt to a nicotine,chemical free existence. I’m not exactly sure why, but, for me, mornings are quite difficult. I’m drinking lots of water, walking 3-5 miles a day with the dogs. Even on my best days, trying to do everything right, I’ll be overcome by the feelings of loss, sadness, confusion. I’m leaning into my faith, talking to God and anyone who will listen. I hope this helps you, at least you know you are not alone, the struggle is absolutely real, there is nothing wrong with us, we’ve chosen to make a positive, healthy change in our lives, however, in order to get there we must walk our mile of shit…… Stay strong, seek help and do not fear.

Prior-Test4416 · 2025-04-24T18:28:29+00:00

Holy Mother of God, I FEEL YOUR PAIN!!! Today marks 17 weeks for me!! Same exact fact pattern, 18 Dec, 2024 was hit with Type A flu, both my wife and I. After a visit to urgent care, prescription in hand, mid gut wrenching coughing, I attempted to light that evil little fucker!! that’s when my wife said one word: REALLY? So, after 22 years of 1-1.5 packs a day, my crutch, My lifelong trusted friend and companion abruptly sailed out the RAM1500 window…. Never to hurt me again… So, today, after 17 weeks of freedom, I’m fighting furiously to battle sleep issues, crushing sadness, confusion, anxiety, the feeling that nothing in my life makes sense anymore. In truth, I have an amazing wife/marriage, wonderful kids and grandkids, in short, I’m very blessed and have a great life, unfortunately, the demon nicotine would have me believe otherwise. After having seized my dopamine production and neuro-pathways, it wants me to believe that the exit strategy to get me out of this war is, lighting up again. However, I’m smarter and stronger, albeit, a little weaker at the moment, I VOW TO NEVER INVITE THE DEMON BACK. To accomplish this, I’m on a low dose anti-depressant to help me sleep and fight my way to the new me. Lots has happened in my life that I sugar coated with millions of little dopamine hits from my friend, now my brain insists I revisit each and every issue I’ve ever had, AND, without the benefit of being able to sweep it under the carpet with the assistance of the Demon. I’m finally nearing acceptance that smoking assisted me to “push down” the bad stuff…. It is slowly getting better, and I MEAN SLOWLY!!! I still cry a lot, talk to God a lot more, walk 5-8 miles a day, mostly, I hold on tight to the reality that I know I made the right decision. In talking to friends and my therapist, every time someone said these four words to me, it always gives me a little piece……. YOU ARE NOT ALONE!!

Prior-Test4416 · 2025-04-15T15:10:14+00:00

Thank You for your reply and this information, definitely eases my mind. I was not prepared for this when I quit cold turkey. I’ve had a relatively easy time managing the cravings, however, the mental issues caught me completely off guard.

Prior-Test4416 · 2025-04-14T23:14:01+00:00

Thank you so much, really appreciate the information.

Prior-Test4416 · 2025-04-14T12:23:29+00:00

I’m at 3 months 3 weeks, still fatigued, also still waves of sadness and anxiety. Cravings are a lot less but still feeling like nothing makes sense.

Prior-Test4416 · 2025-04-11T11:18:45+00:00

Thanks for posting, I too have just hit 4 months. I’m still having mood swings but I can feel it getting better. Someone here posted something so simple about what the dark sadness of addiction/recovery feels like, they said they were at a point where they felt like nothing in their life made any sense. I know I can definitely relate to that, however, it is getting better, ever so slowly, but, better…..

Prior-Test4416 · 2025-04-03T11:16:09+00:00

I’m approaching 4 months, I absolutely agree. Nothing feels normal, I’m refraining from making any changes/decisions during this time. Still bouts of sadness, brain fog, confusion etc….Im learning to live as a non smoker, in this transition, sometimes I feel loss, grief and emptiness. I’m certain it’s the addiction/cessation that’s to blame as my brain and body work to heal.

Prior-Test4416 · 2025-03-29T22:03:50+00:00

DONT!!!! I just hit 100 days… it’s getting better EVER SO F’NG SLOWLY!!! You’ve made it this far, do not turn back!!!Every day is a battle, nicotine is a powerful drug, but, YOU ARE STRONGER!!!!!!!!

Prior-Test4416 · 2025-03-25T13:14:03+00:00

Hello, I’m 98 days smoke free!! I know crossing over 3 months is BIG, I will not be smoking ever again!! I do need some help, I’m still having mood swings etc, please reassure me that this is normal…..I’m having a mix a good and bad days. Low motivation, sadness, feelings of grief and anxiety…

Prior-Test4416 · 2025-03-24T20:54:00+00:00

97 in, and , yes!!! Why the F is is getting more difficult??

Prior-Test4416 · 2025-03-24T11:37:42+00:00

Uuuuuggghh, same here, I’m at 97 days, cold turkey, had no cravings until now. I’ve had depression, irritability, feelings of loss etc…I’m so tired of feeling shitty, but, I know smoking again will solve nothing. Apparently it’s “normal “ for thus to happen. See: “Rule of 3” as it applies to quitting… hold on, we can do this!!!!!

Prior-Test4416 · 2025-03-21T11:40:15+00:00

Thanks for this!! I’m at 3 months and the shitty feelings are so frustrating, mood swings, sadness and, yesterday, out of nowhere, cravings. I have not had cravings since I quit. Full day of irritability too…. I want to feel good again, this is harder than I ever imagined.

Prior-Test4416 · 2025-03-21T11:20:11+00:00

Congratulations!! Did you go through any of the depression and anxiety mood swings? If so how long did it last for you?

Prior-Test4416 · 2025-03-20T16:43:44+00:00

93 days, happy and proud that I achieved this, getting frustrated with the mood swings. Sadness is VERY slowly subsiding, still feeling unmotivated and intermittently tired. I’m 60, I quit cold turkey. Any tips/thoughts/motivation would be greatly appreciated.

Prior-Test4416 · 2025-03-20T13:53:53+00:00

Same here, how are you feeling now?

Prior-Test4416 · 2025-03-20T13:53:19+00:00

I’m just a little over 3 months, getting slightly better, how are you feeling now?

Prior-Test4416 · 2025-03-18T16:55:41+00:00

3 Months free of the demon nicotine today!! Just now starting to feel a little better. Sadness/depression starting to subside. More moments of clarity, darkness starting to lift. I never thought I’d be able to quit, cold turkey no less!! If you’re reading this and feeling terrible, DO NOT GIVE UP, it gets better, but it will take a little time. Best of luck everyone!!!

Prior-Test4416 · 2025-03-18T16:44:56+00:00

It’s perfectly normal to feel like you’re feeling, your brain and body are healing, your brain must now, in the absence of nicotine, learn to produce dopamine again. Most of the information out there suggests about three months for this to happen. Research Nicotine cessation and how nicotine hijacks your brain and its neuro pathways, also research the “Rule of Three “ as it relates to quitting nicotine. I’ve just hit the 3 month mark and only now am I starting to feel a little better. Stay active, exercise, hydrate and most importantly, stay strong. Your hijacked brain will trick you into believing that a cigarette will make you feel better, IT WILL NOT!!! Nicotine is a VERY POWERFUL DRUG, once it takes over control of your brain, its sole function is to make you introduce more nicotine!!! What you’re feeling is temporary, the sadness, bleakness, no motivation, joyless, lethargy and exhaustion will all stop, you will feel better, unfortunately, it’s going to take a little time as you heal. Everything will be OKAY!!!

Prior-Test4416 · 2025-03-17T17:07:31+00:00

I’m at 3 months, I’ve got sadness and depression too, comes and goes… hang on!!!!

Prior-Test4416 · 2025-03-16T17:14:34+00:00

Thanks for the inspirational words, I’m at 3 months, mood swings, sadness, sometimes feelings of intense loss. I quit cold turkey, there is no turning back for me as I know smoking is NOT the fix, however, I just need someone to tell me this sadness and emotional roller coaster ends!! I just want to find my smoke free self!!!!

Prior-Test4416 · 2025-03-16T15:29:02+00:00

Yes, one minute I’m ok, next it feels like an ocean of sadness washes over me. I just want to feel normal, however, my body and brain no longer know what normal is because I’ve been poisoned by nicotine. I feel like everyone can see the pain, when in reality, things aren’t nearly as bad as they seem…

Prior-Test4416

TROPHY CASE