How Long Do Vape Cravings Last?

How long does physical vape withdrawal last?

Nicotine leaves the body relatively quickly.

For most people:

• Nicotine levels drop sharply within 24 hours
• Physical withdrawal peaks around days 2 to 3
• Physical symptoms usually ease within the first week

Physical symptoms can include headaches, fatigue, restlessness, or irritability. While uncomfortable, this phase is short lived and temporary.

For a full breakdown of what happens day by day, see the quit vaping timeline.

Why do vape cravings last longer than withdrawal?

Many people expect cravings to stop once nicotine is out of their system. When they do not, it can feel confusing or discouraging.

This happens because most vape cravings are mental, not physical.

Over time, the brain learns to associate vaping with:

• Stress relief
• Focus
• Comfort
• Breaks and transitions

When you quit, these associations do not disappear immediately. The body may no longer need nicotine, but the brain still expects vaping to provide relief.

This is why cravings can appear weeks after quitting, even though physical withdrawal has ended.

You can read more about this in why quitting vaping is so hard.

What vape cravings feel like over time

Days 1 to 3

Cravings are frequent and noticeable. They are driven by both nicotine withdrawal and habit. This phase often feels intense, but it does not last long.

Days 4 to 7

Physical discomfort usually begins to ease. Cravings still appear, but they are often shorter and more situational.

Weeks 2 to 3

Cravings are mostly habit based. They are commonly triggered by stress, boredom, or routine moments such as after meals or during breaks.

This is a common relapse period, not because nicotine is needed, but because expectations around vaping are still active.

Weeks 3 to 4

Cravings tend to come less often, but can feel sudden or surprising. Many people worry that something is wrong at this stage, even though it is a normal part of adjustment.

After one month

For most people, cravings continue to fade. They often feel more like passing thoughts than strong urges. As beliefs about vaping change, cravings usually reduce further.

Why cravings sometimes come back unexpectedly

Cravings do not always fade in a straight line.

They can return temporarily due to:

• Stressful situations
• Emotional triggers
• Familiar routines
• Fatigue or low mood

This does not mean quitting is failing. It usually means an old habit or belief has been triggered.

Understanding this can make cravings easier to handle when they appear.

When do vape cravings stop completely?

For many people, cravings become rare after the first month and continue to weaken over time.

Cravings tend to stop when:

• Vaping is no longer seen as providing real relief
• Stress is no longer linked to nicotine
• Habits and routines have adjusted

This process is often gradual. As the desire to vape fades, cravings usually lose their power.

Approaches that focus on changing how vaping is perceived, rather than fighting urges, often make this stage easier.