A large number of smokers are now aware of the ill effects of smoking, and an increasing number of smokers do want to quit. But as any smoker will tell you, quitting smoking is no walk in the park. So what is it that makes smoking so hard to give up?
Nicotine Addiction:
For starters, nicotine is a very highly addictive chemical, and regular smokers who try to quit smoking often complain of various withdrawal symptoms which include insomnia, tremors, headaches, feeling agitated, nervous, edgy, etc. Also, don't be surprised if you break out into a sweat in the middle of winter simply because you've decided to stop smoking.
Nicotine addiction increases because your body develops a tolerance to the nicotine that it gets, thereby requiring you to smoke more in order get to the perceived state of well being (as is the case with most other drugs). When the level of nicotine in your body starts to go down, you would start experiencing one or more withdrawal symptoms.
The Psychological Side:
Some very important psychological aspects are also associated with nicotine addiction. For instance, there is a very good possibility that your smoking pattern is affected by particular impulses and cues which encourage you to smoke. Besides, the nicotine that is derived through smoking gives you pleasure, which in turn makes you want to smoke again.
You could also get depressed as a result of trying to abstain from smoking, and this too would make you want to light up. To you, smoking is probably an easy way to deal with all the problems and worries that come your way. Many smokers also smoke when they are bored, and having nothing to do can also work its way in increasing your cravings.
While there are various products in the market that claim to work in helping you quit smoking, most of them mainly work by replacing your source of nicotine while eliminating the other harmful chemicals that accompany cigarette smoke. These include nicotine patches, gum, and lozenges. Therefore, these products continue to keep you dependant on nicotine, and at some point it would become necessary for you to stop using these as well. This is when the withdrawal symptoms would creep in; making you want to smoke again.
So if you do wish to stop smoking, remember that you not only have to battle the physical withdrawal symptoms of nicotine addiction, but the physiological aspects as well.
Nicotine Addiction:
For starters, nicotine is a very highly addictive chemical, and regular smokers who try to quit smoking often complain of various withdrawal symptoms which include insomnia, tremors, headaches, feeling agitated, nervous, edgy, etc. Also, don't be surprised if you break out into a sweat in the middle of winter simply because you've decided to stop smoking.
Nicotine addiction increases because your body develops a tolerance to the nicotine that it gets, thereby requiring you to smoke more in order get to the perceived state of well being (as is the case with most other drugs). When the level of nicotine in your body starts to go down, you would start experiencing one or more withdrawal symptoms.
The Psychological Side:
Some very important psychological aspects are also associated with nicotine addiction. For instance, there is a very good possibility that your smoking pattern is affected by particular impulses and cues which encourage you to smoke. Besides, the nicotine that is derived through smoking gives you pleasure, which in turn makes you want to smoke again.
You could also get depressed as a result of trying to abstain from smoking, and this too would make you want to light up. To you, smoking is probably an easy way to deal with all the problems and worries that come your way. Many smokers also smoke when they are bored, and having nothing to do can also work its way in increasing your cravings.
While there are various products in the market that claim to work in helping you quit smoking, most of them mainly work by replacing your source of nicotine while eliminating the other harmful chemicals that accompany cigarette smoke. These include nicotine patches, gum, and lozenges. Therefore, these products continue to keep you dependant on nicotine, and at some point it would become necessary for you to stop using these as well. This is when the withdrawal symptoms would creep in; making you want to smoke again.
So if you do wish to stop smoking, remember that you not only have to battle the physical withdrawal symptoms of nicotine addiction, but the physiological aspects as well.