Deciding to quit smoking is the first step to a healthier life. Going through nicotine withdrawals, without picking up a cigarette, is something most can’t do. In the U.S., approximately 390,000 premature deaths per year are related to tobacco use. 87% of lung cancer deaths, 82% of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease deaths, and 40% of Chronic Heart Disease deaths. Tobacco smoke has, at least 1200 toxic chemicals, many carcinogens (cancer causing)…Most of us are aware of these alarming statistics. Why do we continue to have so many smokers? Why don’t they quit? The answer is nicotine. Non-smokers are’nt aware of how addictive nicotine is. They tend to believe smokers can quit with a little will power. This is not the case. What’s particular to nicotine (cigarettes) as a drug, is all who smoke become addicted. Not so with other drugs. Only a small percentage of people who drink, take pills, or smoke pot become addicted. Studies show that of smokers who quit, 40% will smoke again in the first three days. 34% will start back smoking in two weeks. Only 10% will successfully stop smoking while 80% are trying to stop. The majority of smokers are trying to stop.
Like opiates, nicotine has receptors in the brain and muscle tissues. When the receptors in our body, detect nicotine, reactions occur. Our heart rate changes, blood pressure increases, temperature decreases, and muscle relaxation occurs. Smoking can make you alert or relaxed, depends on the circumstance. Nicotine creates a chemical dependency causing the body to need certain levels at all times. When the level is not maintained, the body begins to have withdrawals. All smokers have experienced withdrawals, at one time or another. Whereas smokers started smoking for muscle relaxation, once addicted, the’re smoking to offset withdrawals.
In active users, there are a wide range of withdrawal symptoms:
Headache, nausea, constipation or diarrhea, decreased heart rate and blood pressure, fatigue, drowsiness, insomnia, anxiety, tobacco craving, anger, increased need for sweets, increased hunger, depression, and difficulty concentrating are all symptoms of nicotine withdrawals.
Physical withdrawals occur in the first 3-4 days. Your body is having a temper tantrum, these are the worse days during withdrawals. Nicotine is water soluble so after 72 hours without it, withdrawals will decrease.
Solutions to withdrawals:
Anger- Find ways to vent frustration. Walking, running, exercising, cooking, etc.
Poor concentration- Drink 100% juice, this will stabilize your blood sugar.
Constipation- Drink lots of water. Bad breath- Drink lots of water to flush your body out.
These symptoms will be completely gone by 6 months.
One breakthrough, for smokers attempting to quit, is nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). NRT gives the smoker nicotine through chewing gum or patches. NRT helps the smoker replace the habit without withdrawals. Nicotine is given and the strength decreases with time. This teaches you how to do activities of daily living without reaching for a cigarrete.
Meditation has been proven helpful in beating addiction. Meditation keeps you grounded and in touch with your goals.
Whatever smokers may choose to assist them on their way to healthier living, is worth applause. Just remember, as each day goes by, the hold nicotine has on you will get weaker and weaker. Soon you won’t remember what the fuss was all about.
