Kicking that cigarette habit is a tough challenge for a long-term smoker; in fact nicotine is one of the hardest addictive substances to leave behind.
There are of course many advantages to giving up tobacco, and keeping these in mind, as well using a nicotine replacement therapy may make the quitting process just that little bit easier.
You probably have plenty of people in your life who constantly urge you to quit tobacco, and if you’ve seriously considering doing this then there’s no time like the present to stub out that last cigarette.
Smoking is mainly psychological
Yes nicotine is the addictive part of cigarettes that keep you smoking, but there are also psychological reasons as to why you started in the first place, and why you continue to smoke. Many people claim that smoking helps to calm their nerves or can help to keep weight off, but these myths have been discredited. The main reasons why people continue to smoke are basically nicotine and habit – smoking is a ‘comforting’ habit that’s actually taking away more than it’s giving back. Cigarettes are linked to increased anxiety, and stopping has the effect of reducing anxiety leading to better mental health.
Withdrawal symptoms
For many smokers the thought of withdrawal keeps them from stopping completely, or keeps them from sticking to that future ‘quit date’. Symptoms of giving up nicotine via the cold turkey method include irritability, headaches, anxiety and fatigue. But these symptoms will usually peak at around 48 hours after stopping, and will be eliminated completely around six months after stopping. During the initial withdrawal period it is important to focus on why you are quitting and this can include the long-term health and financial benefits that will come with a smoke-free life.
Nicotine replacement therapies
Many long-term smokers will need some help and if the cold-turkey method isn’t appealing then nicotine replacement therapies can be a great help. The e-cigarette has become one of the most popular and successful methods towards weaning yourself gradually away from cigarettes. Research has shown that only 4% to 7% of smokers who quit cold turkey actually succeed on the first attempt while one in 10 e-cigarette users quit completely after one year of using this replacement therapy. The variety of e-cigarettes, including flavoured versions such as menthol e-liquid cigarettes or your own tobacco brand flavour, make this method of quitting a serious contender in the replacement therapy market.
Quitting smoking is never easy and the challenge ahead should not be underestimated. But it would definitely give you an aid if you try the latest vaporizer in the market today. If your goals are to look better, become healthier, live a longer life and save yourself a considerable amount of money, then this is definitely the right step to take. Most people who do quit say that it’s one of the best decisions they’ve ever made, and this is a short-term challenge that will bring long-term rewards.
Image by TBEC Review, used under the Creative Commons license
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