Quitting Smoking

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Author:
Adam Waxler

Copyright 2006 Adam Waxler

Tobacco is responsible for the death of 1 in 10 adults all over the world, which translates to around 5 million deaths every year. The disease mainly strikes the cardiovascular system, resulting to heart attack, respiratory tract diseases, and even cancer.

Regardless of the risks of smoking cigarettes, to quit smoking is not an easy task, yet it is possible.

Why is it hard to quit smoking?

Foremost, this is because most smokers become addicted to the nicotine contained in tobacco products. Nicotine has a deadly addictive power. When a person smokes a cigarette, nicotine particles find their way to the lungs through inhalation. From there, nicotine is absorbed into the bloodstream just like the oxygen people breathe. It travels with the blood to the brain where it locks onto certain receptor areas. Dopamine is then released into the brain. This is the chemical that makes the smoker feel a euphoric sensation. Smokers find it difficult to quit smoking because they come to be dependent on this good feeling. And, this leads to dependence - addiction.

A person who attempts to quit smoking may experience withdrawal symptoms. Topping the bill of withdrawal symptoms is depression. With the absence of the chemical that produces the relaxing feeling, the brain becomes distressed without it. Other withdrawal symptoms from smoking include: Headaches dizziness, and nausea Shakes, chills Cough, dry throat nasal drip Hunger, fatigue Constipation, gas or stomach pain Insomnia

Not knowing what to do with their hands is another common complaint among people trying to quit smoking. Once people get hooked, smoking becomes a big part of their lives. They seem to actually enjoy holding onto a cigarette. And, after a long period of lighting up, it becomes a routine. As a fact, humans are creatures of habit. By some force of habit, smokers find themselves reaching for a cigarette and lighting it up automatically without thinking about it.

Certain "triggers" in the environment may also make it difficult to quit smoking. Little things may turn on a smoker's need for a cigarette. These may be feelings, places, and moods. Even the things done routinely may trigger this craving for a smoke.

For those who have been smoking for quite a while already, they may not realize it but they form some emotional attachment to cigarettes. They find the cigarette calming and comforting during those stressful times. Cigarette smoking somehow becomes an extension of their social life, particularly when they are emotionally at the highest or lowest. Giving the smoker a feeling that to quit smoking would seem like giving up a trusted friend.

These are only some of the major reasons why it is hard to quit smoking. But there are also several strategies and quitting techniques that may aid smokers to finally give up on the habit. Quitting smoking all begins with one's intention to stop. They must have the will power to overcome the craving for nicotine. There are also a lot of quit smoking products in the market. These may also be worth trying. Support groups have proved to be very helpful, too.

Those who smoke cigarettes must understand that to quit smoking may take more than one attempt. They must also try several methods before they can finally succeed. Smoking is a stubborn habit because it is closely tied to the acts in the course of people's everyday lives. Even so, with determination, will power, and a strategy, anyone can quit smoking.

About the author:

Adam Waxler publishes a series of health related information products including his new "Stop Smoking" resource filled with with FREE articles and tips on how to Stop Smoking @ http://www.1-800-stop-smoking.com/quit-smoking

A Quick Note From The Publisher... If you like the article above, you may be interested in the following article which is also related to Smoking... Quit Smoking Cold Turkey: A Free Method For the many people who have tried to stop smoking, many will be unsuccessful due to the method they chose to help them stop smoking. Most people who have stopped smoking completely have tried several times before success came for them. When you quit smoking cold turkey you are applying one of the oldest and well-known methods use to help people quit smoking. To quit smoking cold turkey you need to be prepared. Meaning that most people think that you can just stop and that will power will be the motivation to not start again. For many people this is not feasible. The suggestion is to make sure that you are prepared for any type of method used to quit smoking. Most people also assume that when you quit smoking cold turkey, it means to quit smoking without using any smoking cessation aids such as nicotine gum or patches. The cold turkey method to help you quit smoking is great if you use the aids listed above because those aids will help you if your body starts to go through withdrawal symptoms, which are often associated when you stop smoking. When you quit smoking cold turkey, you tap into probably the most popular albeit not the most successful method for quitting. You can improve your chances for permanently quitting with the cold turkey method if you follow a few guidelines: such as understanding what the withdrawal symptoms are, and making sure that you treat them properly. Drinking lots of water will help to flush the body out quickly. Keeping your mouth busy and keeping a chart of what is occurring when you have a craving will help you to keep an eye on what is going on with your body. Taking a walk or calling a friend when you feel like smoking will help you to be able to be successful while you are trying to quit smoking. Willpower is important and your...