My husband's withdrawal from cigarettes?

Can anyone tell me how to deal with this? My husband quit smoking almost a week ago, and has turned into a completely different person. He won't speak to me much at all, and when he does he just gets critical and is behaving like a hardened uncaring person. His new thing is that I should go somewhere for a while because he's not happy in our marriage. Before he quit a few days ago, he was loving and the best husband ever. Although I know nicotine is powerful, I am really having a hard time with this. He says he's fine, and it isn't the cigs, but every time he's tried to quit, it only lasts 1-2 days and it's horrible. I don't want to sound like I'm whining, and I've tried to be supportive, but there doesn't seem to be an end in sight. I'm heartbroken right now, and honestly have tried being patient, to get out of his way, and talking. Nothing has worked! Please, if anyone knows how to handle this it would really help me out - I'm open to hearing your experiences or how long it took you or your partner to get over the demon side of it. Thanks!

Quitting is difficult. It doesn't seem fair to you, but please just stay out of his way right now and don't take it personally. DH nagged me to quit, and that actually ended up helping. After the 2 week period, things will become easier for both of you. Try some quit sites. Whyquit.com. He will appreciate it all in the end. If he is still grumpy after 2 weeks, I suggest the patch or commit lozenges. They will take the edge off. Worked for me.

Katie M

I went through the same thing. The doctor prescribed a medicine (it was a mild antidepressant) and it helped a lot. That was a very difficult time for my entire family. Good luck.

EDIT: Thanks Just surfin. I couldn't remember the name of the medication.

mjm52

i'm a smoker that has quit twice for a year each time so i've been through what your husband is going through. I know it's hard to live with and it may take some time before he gets back to normal. Did you know that cigarettes are harder to kick than heroine? He is going through the tortures of the damned right now. He can say it's not the cigarettes but it is. It will affect his emotions, palate, and demeanor while he is in active withdrawal. He'll be through the worst of it in about 6 to 10 weeks. There are patches, gum, and lozenges that he can get to help ease the withdrawal. Of course then he has to wean himself off those. Patience my dear is all you can really do. Give him his space and for your own sanity make it lots of space. Good luck

datalluknow

Rather than him doing it cold turkey, perhaps you can suggest some additional help, .i.e. the step programs, or a visit to the family doctor that can provide him with medication to calm him down a bit. But beating this sort of addictive will not be easy and you would need to be a whole lot more supportive if he is going to be successful in his quest to beat this habit - I wish him much success

Just Surfin

Quitting is very difficult, and the withdrawal from the nicotine is horrible. My husband quit four years ago (after like 20 years of smoking) and he was irritable and grumpy... and that was WITH the use of Wellbutrin!! It took a month or so for him to settle down, but it was well worth it.

If your husband isn't already using it, maybe suggest he look at some medication to "take the edge off" of the withdrawal symptoms?

uranus2mars

well, let me tell you: quitting smoking is probably the toughest thing ever!
i tried to quit years ago and was putting forth what i felt was a good effort, i guess it wasn't a very good effort because my (then) husband went out and bought me a pack of cigarettes and told me that i needed to have one, that i was unbearable and not fun to be around
i, unfortunately was not strong enough and had one...i still smoke today.
if you really love him, stick with it
after about a month of no smoking, he will be at his best
they say that at 3 days and at 2 weeks is the hardest time ever
i wouldn't know, but, if it doesn't get better, keep asking yourself if his quitting is necessary in order for your happiness in your marriage
go from there, if all else fails...leave for a while

Polski

Get him the patch. It may help.

QT1984

for my dad it took a long long time

Jery E

no end in sight? you just said it has only been a week? holy cow relax.

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