Smoking is the leading cause of preventable deaths worldwide, killing more than 8 million people yearly. This includes 1.3 million non-smokers that are victims of passive smoking. Deciding to quit smoking is a powerful decision that requires a lot of willpower and determination.
However, quitting smoking is not just about breaking a bad habit but also about reclaiming control over your health and making better decisions for the future. In this article, we’ll discuss why smoking is addictive, alternatives to battle the addiction, and what you can expect as you begin your journey of quitting smoking.
Why Do People Smoke?
For many people, smoking is a way to cope with depression, anxiety, stress, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Others might have started smoking as teenagers due to peer pressure or to look ‘cool.’ Once you start, you develop a routine of smoking. You may automatically smoke after your morning coffee, after meals, or during a break at work or school.
Whatever your reason for starting to smoke might be, quitting means looking for alternative, healthier ways to cope with the feelings and habits you’ve developed due to it. While challenging, this is entirely possible. You just need the right support, a proper plan, and the determination to eliminate the addiction.
Understanding Nicotine Addiction: Why Is It So Hard to Quit?
It’s safe to assume that all smokers know how harmful smoking is, especially for your lungs. However, that doesn’t make the process of quitting any simpler. This is because of the nicotine in cigarettes, the main addictive drug in tobacco smoke. Nicotine enters your brain, triggering the release of chemicals that make you feel good. The problem arises because these effects are temporary, so you keep on wanting to smoke to achieve the same effect. Over time, your body becomes so used to the nicotine that you depend on it just to feel okay.
If you’ve been smoking for a long time and suddenly stop, you experience unpleasant physical and mental withdrawal symptoms that might make quitting extremely difficult. These symptoms may include irritability, depression, increased appetite, coughing, and trouble focusing on tasks. Remember that these symptoms are only temporary and may persist for a few weeks as your brain gets used to the lack of nicotine.
How Effective Is Vaping As an Alternative to Cigarettes?
There has been a lot of debate over the recent rise in popularity of e-cigarettes, or vapes, as a safer alternative to traditional cigarettes. Many people have reported that vaping made it easier for them to quit smoking altogether. However, the FDA has not yet approved vaping as an effective aid for smoking cessation.
Switching to vaping reduces exposure to toxic substances like tar and carbon monoxide in cigarettes that can cause cancer and lung or heart diseases. It can also help manage withdrawal symptoms and cravings during the quitting process as you gradually reduce your nicotine intake. If you think vaping can help manage your symptoms, you can visit online stores like Prime Supply Distro to get an idea of the prices and range of products.
Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT): An Effective Aid to Help You Quit
Since your body starts to depend on nicotine, leaving it abruptly leads to withdrawal symptoms, making it difficult for many people to quit. NRT provides a solution to this problem by giving you nicotine in different forms, such as gums, patches, or sprays, but without the other harmful substances in tobacco smoke. This allows you to focus on the psychological aspects of quitting smoking without having to experience withdrawal symptoms. The FDA has currently approved five types of NRT.
Patches
Nicotine patches give you a controlled dose of nicotine through your skin throughout the day. The patches come in different nicotine strengths, and you gradually reduce the strength over the course of a few weeks until you don’t rely on nicotine at all.
Gums
Nicotine gum is chewed to release nicotine which is then absorbed through the lining of the mouth. It also comes in different nicotine strengths and flavors, allowing you to control your intake.
Nasal Sprays
A nicotine nasal spray is only available by prescription. It delivers nicotine through your nasal passage, offering rapid relief from withdrawal symptoms.
Inhalers
Inhalers also require a prescription. It contains a nicotine cartridge, and instead of delivering it to the lungs like other inhalers, it delivers the vapor to your mouth and throat, through which the nicotine is absorbed into the blood.
Lozenges
Nicotine lozenges dissolve in the mouth and release nicotine gradually. There are different strengths and flavors to accommodate your preferences.
Prescription Medication to Help You Quit
You can use prescription drugs that help you quit smoking, along with NRT. If you plan to take medication, you should talk to a medical professional to understand when to start, what dose to take, and what side effects to expect. Usually, you start taking them weeks before you plan to quit. Here are two common medications that doctors prescribe for smoking cessation.
Varenicline (Chantix)
Varenicline works by interfering with nicotine receptors in the brain. This means that it reduces the pleasure you get from smoking, along with nicotine withdrawal symptoms. If you were to relapse while on medication, varenicline would reduce the satisfaction you get from smoking, making it easier to quit again.
Usually, it is taken over a period of 12 weeks, but this period may be extended depending on your situation. You might also experience side effects such as nausea, headaches, skin rashes, sleep problems, and mood swings.
Bupropion (Zyban)
This drug was initially intended to be an antidepressant but was also found to aid in quitting smoking. It works by affecting neurotransmitters in the brain, helping to reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Like Varenicline, it is available by prescription and should be used under medical supervision as it can lead to side effects like headaches, high blood pressure, seizures, and mood swings.
Dealing With Relapses
It’s common for smokers to relapse several times before they get rid of their smoking habit for good, so you shouldn’t be too hard on yourself if you can’t give it up in one go. Instead, you should use it to identify what triggered your relapse and adjust your quitting strategy accordingly. It’s important not to let the relapse demotivate you and not use it as an excuse to return to your smoking habit.
Endnote
Deciding to stop smoking is tough and has multiple challenges, and it isn’t a linear process. With the proper support from those around you, access to mental health services, and an effective quitting plan, it is entirely possible for you to quit once and for all. Remember that the long-term benefits of quitting are numerous. Your overall physical and mental health will improve, significantly reducing your chances of getting lung cancer and other lung or heart diseases. You’re taking a huge step in leading a healthier and more fulfilling lifestyle by quitting smoking.
