• Nicotine withdrawal affects the signals in your brain 

• Sometimes this can feel like anxiety 

• Cravings can feel intense initially 

• It usually eases as your body adjusts to not having nicotine 

• When cravings hit, you can take a few breaths, a short walk, and distract yourself with something else. 

• You don’t have to do this alone! There’s help available 

 

Nicotine withdrawal can sometimes feel like anxiety or low mood. 

The good news is that these symptoms are temporary and are a sign your body is adjusting to life without nicotine. 

Looking to quit? Let’s unpack what you’re going through, how to get through the first few days, and available support and strategies. 

 

Why does quitting vaping feel so hard?  

For many LGBTQ+ people, vaping has become a part of our social spaces e.g. bars/clubs. And for others, it has become a part of routines, leisure, and a way to cope with life stressors. 

You may vape because it helps you: 

• Manage difficult emotions and boredom 

• Feel calm for a short time 

• Feel connected to peers 

• Express parts of your gender identity 

Quitting can feel like giving up more than nicotine. It could feel like you’re parting with something that helps you get through the day. 

If vaping has been a coping strategy for you, quitting can feel a bit unsettling. That doesn’t mean you’re destined to replace it with another harmful way to cope. With the right support, you can learn new ways to manage stress that leave you feeling better in the long run! 

If you’re worried about this, speak with your GP, a counsellor or another trusted health professional before or during your quit attempt so you can make a plan together. 

 

Is it nicotine withdrawal or anxiety? 

Honestly, it can be both. 

Nicotine causes your brain to release dopamine, a feel-good chemical. 

When you quit vaping, your brain and body are adjusting to the absence of nicotine.  

Nicotine withdrawal can cause feelings that look a lot like anxiety, such as: 

• Irritability 

• Low mood 

• Restlessness 

• Strong cravings 

•  Difficulty focusing  

“But I feel like vaping helps me function normally.” 

This thought is common during withdrawal, but it doesn’t mean you need nicotine to cope. 

Vaping nicotine temporarily relieves your withdrawal symptoms, which can reinforce the cycle of reaching for a vape when you feel bored or uncomfortable.  

Vaping doesn’t define who you are, and when you quit, you can give yourself the chance to feel more like you – just without nicotine calling the shots. 

 

What if I already experience anxiety? 

If you already live with anxiety, it may overlap with withdrawal. For example, a stressful day or familiar vaping trigger may bring up strong emotions while you’re quitting nicotine. 

This does not mean quitting is making your mental health worse! These feelings become easier to manage as withdrawal settles and new coping strategies take over. 

If anxiety or low mood feels overwhelming or continues, reaching out for mental health support can help. 

 

The hardest part of quitting 

The first days of quitting are often the hardest. 

Since your body and brain have begun adjusting to the lack of nicotine. You may experience a bunch of the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal mentioned above. 

Many people find that their physical withdrawal symptoms ease over a few days to weeks, although everyone’s experience is different.

As your body adjusts, many people find quitting becomes more manageable.

 

The nicotine withdrawal timeline 

You can expect: 

In the first few days: 

• Cravings are the strongest 

• Feelings of anxiety, restlessness, and irritability 

• Concentrating can be harder 

 

After the first few weeks: 

• Withdrawal symptoms settling down 

• Cravings becoming less frequent and mellowing out 

• New routines become easier 

 

So how do we get over the tough part, especially when cravings hit? 

Dive into some practical strategies here! 

 

For more information on quitting vaping, check out our LGBTQ+ vaping support page: 

Quit Vaping | LGBTQ+ Support & Resources | CAN WE 

Why should I quit? | Aboriginal Quitline 

How to quit | Aboriginal Quitline 

Support to Quit Smoking for Aboriginal People | iCanQuit 

Flip The Vape – The Koori Way