The American Cancer Society states that nicotine is as addictive as heroin or cocaine. Therefore, quitting smoking is equivalent to recovery from heroin addiction or cocaine use. Successful smoking cessation requires education, resources and support to address both the physical and psychological issues of withdrawal and breaking the habit.
Facts About Smoking
Many people don't realize that kicking the smoking habit is the same as recovery from drug or alcohol addiction. Nicotine is a drug, and a very addictive one at that. As a result, the first step to stop smoking should be understanding what it takes to recover from addiction. There are many resources available to people who want to stop smoking.
- All states offer a telephone counseling service that is free to the public
- Many employers offer incentives for quitting smoking as well as educational brochures
- Insurance companies can provide a list of counseling centers and support groups
- Doctors, libraries and phone books can offer a list of local meetings
- A network of family and friends is vital to recovery from smoking
The Mental Habit of Smoking
According to the American Cancer Society, smokers make up less than 20% of the American population. This number is greatly decreased from years past. People who desire to quit smoking may do so because of laws prohibiting smoking in restaurants or other public places due to the health risks of secondhand smoke. Smoking has increasingly become a social isolator.
Just as with any other addiction treatment, a smoker who wants to quit needs to learn new social behaviors. Changing people, places and things can be the greatest help in successful smoking cessation. A new non-smoker may need to change old habits or even avoid friends or family members who still smoke to eliminate that temptation.
Smoking is often a social activity, a stress reliever or simply a result of boredom. Regardless of the motivation behind it, smoking is a habit and as such, there are many helpful suggestions for breaking the habit.
- Take a new route to work
- Drink tea instead of coffee
- Avoid drinking alcohol
- Exercise to relieve stress or boredom
- Chew mints or gum for hand-to-mouth cravings
The Physical Withdrawal of Smoking
Nicotine inhaled in a cigarette enters the brain faster than drugs through an IV, according to the American Cancer Society. Conversely, most regular smokers will have nicotine and/or some of its byproducts in their systems for three to four days after smoking. Understanding these factors helps in coping with nicotine withdrawal. A smoker who decides to quit can expect to experience some of the following symptoms within the first week of not smoking:
- depression
- dizziness
- trouble falling asleep, staying asleep or nightmares
- feelings of frustration, irritability or anger
- tiredness
- increased appetite
Benefits of Quitting Smoking
According to the American Cancer Society, twenty minutes after quitting, heart rate and blood pressure drop. Within twelve hours of quitting, the carbon monoxide level in the blood returns to normal. One year after quitting smoking, the risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a smoker's and the lung cancer death rate is about half that of a smoker's within ten years of quitting. Even more than the improvements to quality of life and overall health, a non-smoker saves money by not smoking. Click this link to calculate how much money can be saved by not smoking cigarettes.
Quitting smoking is a personal decision and many people may have to try several times before succeeding. It is easy to understand the importance of quitting and how it can benefit one's health. It is also vital to successful smoking cessation to have all the support and education available.
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