Smoking

Addiction is the main reason why people smoke. However, it’s not the only reason. Several other factors make people want to smoke. These include:

• Creating an impression among friends
• Getting influenced by the people you admire
• Getting influenced by ads and movies
• To lose weight
• To overcome depression
• Social and peer pressure
• Stress at work and home

Health Effects Of Smoking

Smoking leads to disease and disability and harms nearly every organ of the body.

There are more than a million Americans live with a disease caused by smoking. For each individual who dies because of smoking, at least 30 people live with a serious smoking-related illness. Smoking causes:

• Cancer
• Heart disease
• Stroke
• Lung diseases
• Diabetes
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Emphysema and chronic bronchitis

Smoking also increases the risk for:

• Tuberculosis
• Certain eye diseases
• Problems of the immune system

Manage Smoking Cravings

While avoiding smoking triggers will help lessen your desire to smoke, you probably can’t avoid cigarette cravings. Fortunately, cravings don’t last long. Typically it lasts about 5 to 10 minutes. If you are tempted to light up, remind yourself that the craving will soon pass and try to wait it out. It helps to be prepared in advance by having strategies to cope with cravings. Below are some tips on how to manage your cravings on smoking:

• Distract yourself. You may turn on the TV, do the dishes, take a shower, or have a chat with a friend. The activity doesn’t matter as long as it gets your mind off smoking.
• Get out of a tempting situation. Where you are or what you’re doing maybe trigger the craving. If so, a change of scenery can make all the difference.
• You need to remind yourself why you need to quit. Focus on your reasons for quitting, including the health benefits and improved appearance, as well as the money you’re saving and enhanced self-esteem.
• Reward yourself. Reinforce your victories. Whenever you triumph over a craving, give yourself a reward to keep yourself motivated.

Treatments To Help You Quit Smoking

Different methods have successfully helped people to kick the habit of smoking. While you may be successful with the first method you try, more likely you will have to try different methods or a combination of treatments to find the ones that work best for you.

• Nicotine Replacement Therapy

Nicotine replacement therapy involves replacing cigarettes with other nicotine substitutes. It relieves some of the withdrawal symptoms by distributing small and steady amounts of nicotine into your body without the tars and poisonous gases found in cigarettes. This type of treatment helps you focus on breaking your psychological addiction. It also makes it easier to concentrate on learning new behaviors and coping skills.

• Non-Nicotine Medication

This type of medication will help you stop smoking by decreasing cravings and withdrawal symptoms without the use of nicotine. Some of the medications may include:

• Bupropion (Zyban)
• Varenicline (Chantix or Champix)

Medications used to stop smoking can ease withdrawal symptoms and lessen cravings. They are most effective when used as part of a comprehensive stop smoking program monitored by your doctor. Discuss with your doctor about your options and whether an anti-smoking drug is right for you.