Cessation of Smoking

Quitting smoking is difficult for smokers because of its addiction to it.

In fact, one of the harms of smoking is addiction, as defined by scientific and medical standards. Therefore, quitting smoking is a treatment process for (Detoxification) addiction, similar to the treatment of any other addiction.

The components of addiction

The factors of addiction are many and varied, and they differ from person to person and from age to age. They can be divided into several psychological factors and a physical factor.

Another factor of addiction is the use of smoking as a way to relieve loneliness and boredom.

Smoking may start, in certain cases, just a simple habit, and then develop, like any other habit, to become part of the character and nature of the smoker, which transforms it from mere habit to addiction.

The physical factor in addiction stems from the fact that cigarette tobacco contains nicotine, as it is absorbed from the lungs and the oral cavity into the bloodstream that carries it and delivers it to all parts of the body.

Nicotine affects several areas of the body:

The brain: nicotine activates the system of feelings that generate in the smoker a sense of pleasure and calm.

Adrenal gland: Nicotine stimulates the secretion of adrenaline, which creates a sense of alertness and stimulates the secretion of glucose, which creates a feeling of fullness.

In addition, when the body gets used to a certain amount of nicotine, it continues to demand it.

Since the fifties of the last century, evidence began to accumulate on the harms of smoking, which led to the enactment of laws and restrictions on smoking to reduce it, in many countries.

Complications of quitting smoking

The main proven damages of smoking, so far, are:

Respiratory diseases: emphysema (emphysema), chronic bronchitis, shortness of breath and an increased risk of inflammation of the lungs.

Damages of smoking and cancer: increased risk of various types of lung cancer, increased risk of cancer of the mouth, larynx, esophagus and bladder. Also, it is well established that there is an association between smoking and pancreatic cancer, cervical cancer and leukemia.

Damages of smoking in blood vessels: Narrowing of blood vessels may lead to: heart attacks, stroke, stomach ulcers, a decrease in the ability to tolerate cold, a feeling of numbness in the fingers, impotence (impotence) in men and a decrease in the fertility rate in women.

Damages of smoking on human beauty: changes in the color of the skin, teeth and nails.

Smoking cessation treatment

Quitting smoking is not an easy process, but the fruits of this process are clear and worth the effort: increase life expectancy and improve the quality of life.

How to stop smoking with the "quick solution in one go":

This method of quitting smoking means immediate and complete cessation of smoking, cessation in one go.

This method is particularly suitable for people who smoke a little or who have smoked for a relatively short period of time.

Step-by-step method for quitting smoking:

This method means gradually quitting smoking, and is represented by reducing the number of cigarettes smoked per day, or reducing the amount of nicotine in cigarettes (light cigarettes).

This method of smoking cessation is particularly suitable for heavy smokers who smoke large amounts of cigarettes daily, or who have smoked for a long period of time.

Medicines to quit smoking

Studies show that the first and second smoking cessation method is effective and beneficial in similar proportions. Together with smoking cessation, each of the addictive factors and components of addiction should be addressed separately.

The psychological components of addiction can be addressed through the use of support groups, psychological therapy, guide books and websites that help fight smoking.

The central and basic element in these treatments is a serious attempt to avoid situations and places associated with smoking, or to adopt an alternative to smoking, by being preoccupied with something alternative, such as chewing gum or using electronic cigarettes.

It is also worth trying to confront the first factor that was the reason behind feeling the need to smoke cigarettes, then try to avoid feeling craving or feeling envy towards smokers.

Physical work that represents the need for nicotine can be addressed by using nicotine replacements that can be obtained in the form of adhesive, chewing gum, sucking pellets, electric cigarettes, nasal spray or inhaler.

There are drugs available in the market that do not substitute for nicotine, but which reduce the difficulty of quitting smoking, such as Zyban and Champix, which act on nicotine receptors in the brain. These medications need a doctor's prescription and treatment lasts, usually, about 60 days.

Clinical research has shown that the best and most effective way to treat the addictive factors and the harmful effects of smoking during the smoking cessation process is to combine psychological support with drug therapy that inhibits nicotine receptors, or by using nicotine replacement therapy.

Being overweight is a risk of quitting smoking, because cigarettes are replaced with food. Therefore, it is very important to maintain proper nutrition and exercise physical activity, during the process of quitting smoking.

Conclusion

Smoking damages are numerous, and it affects many organs and systems of the body.

The method of quitting smoking is a complex and not easy process, but today there are many solutions that will facilitate the task, and the smoker must choose the appropriate method for him and persist in it.

The guaranteed benefit of quitting smoking is an increase in life expectancy after quitting and an improvement in the quality of life.