Smoking Addiction Facts
Smoking cigarettes might seem enjoyable, but there are some serious health risks resulting from smoking. Many people continue to smoke, even if they know that smoking could kill them. It might seem hard to understand, but the fact is that cigarettes can be just as addictive as hardcore street drugs, like heroin and cocaine. Old habits die hard, and it takes a lot of willpower to overcome an addiction to cigarettes.
It's Not Easy To Quit
About 35 million people in the United States attempt to quit smoking each year. These are regular users who have become addicted to nicotine after smoking over an extended period of time. Despite good intentions, less than seven percent are able to sustain their efforts and quit for more than a year. The powerful urges and physical dependence usually have potential quitters smoking again within a few days.
A Deadly Habit
Tobacco related deaths are surprisingly high in the United States. Approximately 440,000 people die each year from prolonged use of cigarettes and other tobacco products. An addiction to cigarettes can lead to health problems like cardiovascular disease, lung cancer, breast cancer, stroke, and cancer of the mouth.
Chemicals
There are more than 4,000 chemicals in tobacco smoke. Many known cancer-causing carcinogens and toxins are contained in the average cigarette. So, why are people still addicted to smoking? The nicotine chemical in cigarettes is highly addictive.
Effects of Nicotene
Nicotine is inhaled and sent to the brain every time you smoke a cigarette. Nicotine causes dopamine to be released in the brain, and your body reacts to the chemicals within seconds, producing feelings of calm and euphoria. As a smoker continues to use cigarettes, the chemical structure of the brain is gradually altered. This ultimately leads to addiction. A person will need more and more nicotine to experience the same effects, leading to chain-smoking and severe health problems.
Beating Addiction
There are a number of approaches for overcoming an addiction to cigarettes. Going "cold-turkey" is one option. This is where a smoker will simply stop smoking altogether and attempt to beat addiction immediately. Others take a more gradual approach, cutting down on the number of cigarettes smoked each day until they are ready to stop completely. No matter the case, there are some helpful strategies that will increase the odds of success. Products such as nicotine gum can be good for getting over the initial cravings. Exercise is another way to distract yourself. Many people find it helpful to go to support groups or meet with a therapist in order to be held accountable. Finally, it is a good idea to avoid situations in which you used to feel the urge to smoke. Perhaps you always had a cigarette at the bar when you were drinking, or maybe morning coffee had to be followed by a smoke. Eliminating temptations and habits that were associated with your addiction can go a long way to successfully quitting cigarettes.
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