Even heavy smokers know that smoking is a bad habit that has a negative impact on health. Many people dream of quitting smoking, but are afraid of "withdrawal syndrome. " We will discuss how to quit smoking quickly and effectively in our article.
In general, when we talk about smoking, it is more accurate to talk about "tobacco" than "nicotine" addiction. According to the WHO International Classification of Diseases, tobacco dependence is a physiological behavioral disorder based on the use of psychoactive substances. True nicotine addiction is just one type of tobacco addiction.
What is nicotine addiction?
Nicotine is involved in many biochemical processes in our body. That is why smoking is the cause of the development of more than 40 different diseases. Tobacco smoke contains more than 7, 000 harmful chemicals, as well as carbon monoxide and tissue-damaging free radicals.
More than half of smokers dream of quitting this dangerous habit, but before you fight smoking, you need to know the reasons why someone smokes. Doctors classify all reasons for smoking into several types of smoking behavior:
"Stimulation»
This type of smoking behavior manifests itself in people who believe that a cigarette stimulates them, refreshes them and relieves fatigue. Dependence in such people is psychological in nature, and smoking cessation causes symptoms of vegetative-vascular dystonia and asthenia.
"Cigarette game»
People with this type of behavior smoke a little, often "for company" and no more than 2-3 cigarettes a day. They are more interested in accessories: ashtrays, cigarette cases, lighters, expensive types of cigarettes. Smoking is more like a game than an addiction.
"Relaxation»
It is very difficult for such people to quit smoking. For them, a cigarette is an additional means of pleasure during relaxation, and the conditions during smoking should be comfortable and relaxed.
"Support"
This type of smoking is necessary for a person to reduce emotional stress. Such people smoke in moments of shame, anger, uncertainty, and in unpleasant situations.
"thirsty»
This type is associated with physical dependence on nicotine. A decrease in the level of nicotine in the blood forces a person to smoke, despite all prohibitions. It is this type of smoking behavior that can be considered true nicotine addiction.
"Reflex»
Such smokers smoke reflexively, without thinking about the fact of smoking. They smoke more often at work, in large quantities and "automatically. "Often, they cannot explain the reason for smoking.
All of the above types of smoking behavior can occur either separately or combined in various combinations.
Tobacco addiction develops with increased smoking experience and goes through 3 stages of development:
- Stage 1 - initiation. A smoker sometimes smokes because of psychological dependence. Physical dependence is not observed at this stage.
- Stage 2 is characterized by the initial manifestation of physical dependence on nicotine.
- Stage 3 combines significant factors of psychological and physical dependence on nicotine.
To find out if you have nicotine addiction, answer a few questions:
- Do you smoke more than one pack of cigarettes a day?
- Do you feel like smoking within half an hour of waking up?
- When quitting smoking, do you have a strong desire to smoke again and are bothered by "withdrawal symptoms"?
If you answered yes to all 3 questions, you are highly dependent on nicotine.
The cause of addiction is nicotine itself, which reaches the brain within 7 seconds after the first inhalation of tobacco products. There, nicotine interacts with nicotinic receptors and promotes the production of neurotransmitters, including dopamine. These substances form nicotine addiction. As soon as a smoker takes a long break from smoking, the level of these substances in the blood decreases and the "withdrawal syndrome" occurs: the desire to smoke, anxiety, decreased attention, restlessness and irritability, weakness, discomfort and discomfort. A person experiences cough, insomnia and other somatic symptoms. The duration of such a period can range from a few days to a few months. That is why doctors recommend that those who quit smoking take special pharmacological drugs.
Interesting facts about smoking
| Facts about smoking | Description |
|---|---|
| Number of smokers in the world (WHO) | 1 billion people |
| Percentage of smokers by gender | 40% of all men, 9% of all women |
| In which country is smoking more common? | Kiribati, Montenegro, Greece, Timor |
| In which country is smoking less common? | Ghana, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Eritrea, Panama |
| Diseases caused by smoking | baldness, cataracts, premature wrinkling, hearing loss, skin cancer, tooth decay, emphysema, osteoporosis, heart disease, stomach ulcer, miscarriage, spermatogenesis disorder, psoriasis, thrombarteritis obliterans, cancer of more than 15 organs |
| Annual deaths from smoking (WHO) | more than 7 million people (of which 1. 5 million are women) - one person every 6. 5 seconds |
| Annual deaths from exposure to second-hand smoke (second-hand smoke) (WHO) | 1. 2 million people (of which 64% are women and about 65, 000 children) |
| Popular myths about smoking |
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5 best ways to quit smoking
Most smokers have tried to quit smoking at least once in their lives. Some succeeded, but others could not withstand the painful withdrawal symptoms, and the attempt was unsuccessful. In addition to willpower, you may need special medication or specialist help.
Tobacco addiction is one of the strongest addictions and develops faster than, for example, alcohol addiction. That is why it is so difficult to treat.
1. Drugs
Doctors use two types of drugs to treat nicotine addiction: nicotine replacement drugs (NRT) and drugs that do not contain nicotine. This product is great for those who want to quit smoking completely and for those who want to reduce the intensity of smoking. However, positive results can be achieved only after eliminating psychological dependence, and WIP only provides a time delay to solve this problem.
Drugs that do not contain nicotine
Drugs that do not contain nicotine include nicotinic receptor antagonists (NRAs) and atypical antidepressants. However, atypical antidepressants are not officially used to treat nicotine addiction.
Nicotinic receptor antagonist drugs prevent the interaction of nicotine with the receptors of the nervous system, and smoking cigarettes is no longer enjoyable for the smoker.
ANR was started 1 week before the expected quit date and continued for 12 weeks. In the period from 8 to 35 days of treatment, it is recommended to completely stop smoking.
Advantages and disadvantages:
- the treatment period for ANR is several times shorter than for NWP; the drug does not require gradual withdrawal; good therapeutic effect.
- available by prescription; have a complex dosage regimen; many contraindications; Do not take under the age of 18, during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Nicotine replacement drugs
Nicotine replacement products (NRT) are designed to deliver nicotine directly into the human body to replace regular smoking. Such products are available in the form of lozenges, patches, chewing gum, sprays and inhalers. Smoking cessation is achieved by relieving withdrawal symptoms and gradually reducing the dose of the drug.
The time of penetration of nicotine into the blood and its presence in the body depends on the form of the drug. Nicotine patches are applied directly to the skin. The patch releases nicotine for 16-24 hours. Gum, sublingual tablets, and sprays work faster, but nicotine stays in the blood for a shorter time. The fastest acting drug is nicotine spray. After its use, the effect occurs within 60 seconds.
Advantages and disadvantages:
- reduce withdrawal symptoms; suitable for people who do not want to quit smoking completely; minimum number of contraindications.
- requires consultation with a doctor before use; Cannot be used under the age of 18, during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
2. Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy helps form a positive attitude and instills skills that can control nicotine addiction. Psychotherapy is most effective when combined with drug treatment. Psychotherapists often use Ericksonian hypnosis, cognitive psychotherapy and several other techniques. After only 2-3 sessions with a psychotherapist, the patient's need to smoke disappears.
Advantages and disadvantages:
- significant therapeutic effect; increase the effect of drug treatment; Only 2-3 sessions are required.
- require highly qualified specialists; depending on the motivation of the patient.
3. Acupuncture
This method is based on the effect of needles on biologically active points of the body, which helps reduce withdrawal symptoms and the physical desire to smoke. Often, a course of 3-10 procedures is used, where needles are attached to acupuncture points on the arms and legs. Another popular method is a needle button, which is installed under the skin of the auricle for a long time. At this time the desire to smoke arises, the patient suppresses it, and the desire decreases.
Advantages and disadvantages:
- does not require the use of drugs; short course of treatment; has no contraindications or side effects;
- requires high patient motivation; You can only trust highly qualified specialists.
4. Doctor consultation
The first stage of nicotine addiction is psychological dependence. It is most often associated with "ritual smoking. "The reason may be the company involved, the association of smoking with a cup of coffee or driving a car. In young people, the initiation of smoking may be due to the desire to appear more mature, independent, and have a certain "status" position. In this case, the decisive factor in quitting smoking may be a conversation with a doctor - for example, a psychotherapist or a narcologist. Awareness of the dangers to health and expert help will help get rid of the conditioned reflex that causes the desire to smoke.
There is a free consultation center whose operator will give advice over the phone at any time of the day and help you find the most effective way to quit smoking. Doctors will be able to recommend various programs and courses aimed at overcoming tobacco addiction.
Advantages and disadvantages:
- consultation with a doctor increases the effectiveness of any type of therapy; allows you to do without using drugs if you are highly motivated.
- will help only with a weak degree of dependence; High motivation to quit smoking is required.
5. Behavioral therapy
This set of measures aims to create favorable conditions for quitting smoking or reducing the number of cigarettes smoked. According to statistics, only 3-7% of smokers can quit smoking without the help of experts and drug therapy. However, by changing your behavior patterns, it is easier to quit smoking or reduce its intensity.
- Decide whether you will quit smoking all at once or gradually. If not immediately, make a plan to gradually reduce the number of cigarettes you smoke.
- If you decide to quit smoking right away, set a date in advance for when you will do it. Try to time it to coincide with events that are important to you. On this night, smoke twice as much to saturate your body with nicotine.
- If you often smoke at work, the time you quit smoking coincides with your vacation or weekend. Try to find a partner who quits work.
- When quitting gradually, try not to smoke as long as possible after sleeping and eating. Put cigarettes, lighters and ashtrays out of your sight. Try not to smoke in front of children, relatives and in society. Frequently visit places where smoking is prohibited.
- Don't buy cigarettes early, try to smoke only half a cigarette.
- If you feel the urge to smoke, do not smoke immediately. The acute desire to smoke lasts 3-5 minutes. Before doing this, do some exercise or a light walk.
- Try to quit smoking periodically for a while: half a day, a day, a few days, etc.
- Go to the gym. Active physical exercise increases the production of pleasure hormones and reduces withdrawal symptoms.
Doctor's advice for those who want to quit smoking
Nicotine addiction manifests itself on a psychological, emotional and physical level. According to doctors, when quitting smoking, the main key to success is strong motivation. That is why every smoker should know the harmful effects of smoking and the benefits of quitting.
Most doctors are skeptical about the ability of an "experienced" smoker to quit this habit on his own. Experiments with nicotine replacement therapy drugs are no less dangerous.
Therapy for nicotine addiction should be comprehensive and individually tailored. There are several techniques developed that can combat the problem effectively. Treating addiction is a serious and time-consuming task. Without the consultation and supervision of a doctor, achieving success will be more difficult. After assessing the level of addiction and the characteristics of your body, a qualified specialist will choose the treatment regimen that is suitable for you. Only in this case the result will be positive and expected.
Popular questions and answers
After deciding to quit smoking, many smokers start studying this topic on the Internet. We select the most popular questions and pass them on to our experts.
- Why is it so hard to quit smoking?
Nicotine addiction affects all parts of the human body: psychological, emotional and physical. In terms of attachment strength, doctors compare it to alcohol and drug addiction. When you stop smoking, "withdrawal syndrome" occurs. Alleviating this manifestation is the most difficult task. Treatment requires a long-term, comprehensive and professional approach.
- Is it possible to quit smoking suddenly?
With the stated motivation, the approach to this problem will be the most effective. If you have a strong addiction, doctors recommend stopping immediately. Nicotine replacement therapy or nicotinic receptor blockers will help relieve withdrawal symptoms.
- How does withdrawal from cigarettes occur?
When you stop smoking for several days and sometimes months, symptoms called "withdrawal syndrome" appear: the desire to smoke, anxiety, decreased attention, restlessness and irritability, weakness, discomfort and discomfort. Cough, insomnia and other somatic symptoms increase.
- When does the urge to smoke go away?
The strongest desire to smoke appears within a week. Then, the urge to smoke decreases, but may persist for another one to several months. Doctors consider attempts to quit smoking successful if the patient does not smoke for six months.
- Is it okay to smoke sometimes?
There is no "safe" level of smoking. According to statistics, if a person smokes just one cigarette a day, he increases the likelihood of heart disease or stroke by 30-50%. Every "occasional cigarette" can return a former smoker to nicotine addiction.
- Why do people get fat when they stop smoking?
The main reason for weight gain is "stress eating. "When quitting smoking, people often snack instead of smoking breaks, which leads to weight gain. Sometimes, when smoking, disturbances occur in the endocrine system, which leads to weight loss. After quitting smoking, weight may return to previous levels.