Smoking addiction is a chronic condition that can be difficult to overcome without support. People continue to smoke because of nicotine, a highly addictive chemical found in tobacco. Even if a smoker wants to stop, physical dependence on nicotine can make quitting challenging. Keep reading to learn how smoking addiction affects your life and how our stop-smoking service can help you quit.
Nicotine is absorbed into the bloodstream when a person smokes a cigarette, and it takes only a few seconds for it to reach the brain. It stimulates the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that induces a sense of reward or pleasure. Addiction may result from a cycle of reinforcement and reward. Smokers must smoke more to experience the same level of pleasure or reward because their bodies become more tolerant to nicotine over time.
What is addiction, and how does it relate to smoking?
If you have an addiction, you develop a compulsive and frequently uncontrolled drive to engage in a certain behaviour or consume a particular drug, notwithstanding the potential harmful effects. If an addicted person tries to stop, they may experience cravings for the substance or behaviour and have withdrawal symptoms. Addiction can result in changes in the structure and function of the brain.
In addition to affecting the brain, addiction has an impact on other areas of life as well, including emotions, finances, relationships, health, as well as self-esteem. When people smoke to deal with stress, boredom, loneliness, or other issues, it can turn into an addiction.
Your health can suffer from a variety of side effects from smoking addiction, including an increased risk of heart disease, lung cancer, and other major health issues. Despite these risks, nicotine’s addictiveness makes it difficult to stop smoking. But nonetheless, it is possible to overcome your addiction to smoking and enhance your general health and wellness with the correct help and resources.
How do you develop an addiction to smoking?
Smoking addiction grows over time as a result of a number of variables. This includes nicotine’s addictive properties, psychological and social factors, as well as environmental cues.
Addiction to tobacco use can also be influenced by psychological and social variables. For instance, many people begin smoking as a coping strategy for stress, anxiety, or other emotional problems. Smoking can then develop into a habitual coping strategy. Social factors like peer pressure or exposure to smoking through family or friends can also contribute to addiction.
When you see others smoke or are in locations where smoking is permitted, environmental cues can increase nicotine cravings and make it challenging to stop smoking.
How does smoking affect your body and mind?
Smoking can harm both the body and the mind. It can cause negative effects by:
• Damaging your lungs and respiratory system.
• Damaging your cardiovascular system and increasing your risk of heart disease, stroke, as well as other cardiovascular problems.
• Weakening your immune system.
• Affecting your teeth and gums, and increasing your risk of gum disease, tooth loss, as well as oral cancer.
• Harming the reproductive system, causing fertility problems, and increasing the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, and premature birth.
• Negatively affecting your mental health, causing depression, anxiety, as well as stress.
• Causing addiction.
What treatments and strategies can help smokers quit?
There are a variety of methods and therapies that can assist smokers in giving up. Some of the most successful ones are listed below:
Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT)
NRT is a particular class of drug that helps in reducing cravings and withdrawal symptoms by supplying nicotine to the body in a method that is less dangerous than smoking. These can include nasal sprays, gum, lozenges, inhalers, as well as nicotine patches.
Prescription Medications
A number of prescription medicines can help ease the withdrawal symptoms and cravings associated with quitting smoking.
Cognitive Therapy
Behavioural or cognitive therapy involves developing techniques to stop smoking with the help of a counsellor or therapist. These include setting goals, avoiding triggers, and controlling stress.
Support Groups
During the quitting process, joining a support group or asking for help from family and friends can encourage and motivate you.
Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques
Meditation, deep breathing and yoga are three techniques that may assist you to manage urges and lessen stress.
Quitting Programmes
Programmes like helplines, smoke-free communities, and NHS resources can offer support and direction throughout the quitting process. And you have us of course to help you break the habit. Sign up to our service here.
It can be challenging to stop smoking, and different methods may be more effective for various people. For you to successfully stop smoking, it’s important to identify the treatments as well as strategies that work best for you. You should also ask friends, family, and medical professionals for support and advice.
Sign up for a stop smoking service with us at HMI Pharmacy
Get in touch with us to sign up for our stop smoking service or visit HMI Pharmacy today to get help and support to effectively quit smoking.
This blog post was written on behalf of HMI Pharmacy by Pharmacy Mentor.