Whenever you stop smoking cigarettes, you must understand that a little bit of nicotine still remains in your system, even though you are no longer ingesting this product. So, why is this the case, you may ask? Researchers have confirmed that, after people smoke cigarettes, their bodies absorb a staggering 90% of nicotine byproduct, and this intoxicating and dangerous substance will continue to remain in your tissues and bloodstream after you have stopped using. Ultimately, you may be a bit frightened by this fact, but there is no need for too much concern. The drug will not stay in your system for too long. Let’s take a closer look and seen how long nicotine remains in the body.
Absorption and Metabolization
About two hours after people ingest nicotine, their bodies will have already removed 50% of the drug (giving nicotine a half-life of approximately 2 hours). As a result of this relatively short half-life, the effects of nicotine will begin to dwindle quickly, making people feel desperate to achieve another dose of this drug. After it is consumed, nicotine is dissolved into about 20 different substances (including cotinine, anabasine, and nornicotine) which are eventually excreted through the urinary tract. In that light, doctors can test a person’s nicotine levels through simple tests for urine, blood, saliva, nails, and hair follicles.
How Long Do I Have to Wait?
Based on reports, you will have to wait about 2 weeks before your body chemistry returns to that of a non-smoker (or a person who has never consumed a cigarette). After that time, your body will successfully flush all traces of nicotine from your systems. However, keep in mind that the longer you smoke, the longer it takes for nicotine to leave your body. For example, the bodies of frequent or chain smokers will have a hard time flushing the drug out faster, and the same situation is faced by adults 65 years and older. Meanwhile, women can flush out this drug much faster than their male counterparts (with birth control pills playing a huge role in cleansing).
Seeking Treatment for Cigarette Abuse and Nicotine Addiction
Always remember that drugs do not have control over your life. You do. Are you suffering from a substance use disorder or a severe form of addiction? Do you have a friend or family member suffering from one or more of these debilitating illnesses? If you do, get in touch with Asana Recovery today. Our counselors and healthcare experts are ready to walk you through every step of the detox and withdrawal process and rehabilitation and guide you towards living a happier, healthier, and freer lifestyle. While the road to recovery might not be an easy road to travel, we promise to help you every step of the way. Take the first step to stay fit, healthy, and safe.
The time for you to take back control of your life is now. If you are interested in one of our residential treatment or supervised detoxification/withdrawal programs, we are ready and waiting to speak with you at your disclosure. Call Asana now at (949) 438-4504 to learn how to overcome your drug abuse or addiction troubles today.
