Smoking is a disease and needs treatment
Unfortunately, smoking was not always considered a disease. It was only in the late 1980s, with the discovery of nicotine receptors in the brain and their addictive power (greater than drugs like cocaine and heroin), that things changed.
It is now known that the specific receptors for nicotine in the brain, when activated, release substances that guarantee a sensation of pleasure. That’s why a cigarette is enough to alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression. No wonder it has gained many adherents in these times of chronic stress.
In the search for this feeling of well-being, the person starts to light a cigarette after the other, conditioning themselves.
Nicotine Withdrawal
When people use tobacco on a regular basis, their body develops a need for nicotine. If they don’t take the nicotine, they start having withdrawal symptoms. These
symptoms vary from person to person and depend on how much nicotine the person is used to taking. The greater the amount, the stronger the symptoms:
Tiredness
Irritation
Nervousness
Anxiety
Sadness or depression
Hunger greater than usual
People with nicotine withdrawal may find it difficult to:
Sleep
Dealing with stress
Focusing
Nicotine withdrawal typically begins 24 hours after a person has stopped smoking or using substances such as tobacco. Symptoms can get worse between 24 and 48 hours after a person stops smoking and can last for a few days or up to four weeks. The average duration of symptoms is three to four weeks. The urge to smoke and increased appetite can last for months. Treatment for abstinence includes medication, therapy or support groups, a diet and regular exercise.
Smoking to improve mood or relieve tension
Try to answer a few questions to determine if you smoke to relieve tension, frustration, stress, or to improve your mood.
Does smoking come to mind automatically when you are frustrated, tense, nervous or sad?
Does smoking calm you down when you’re nervous?
Do you smoke more cigarettes when you’re nervous?
If you have tried to quit smoking in the past, did you miss smoking more when you were under stress?
The relief you get from smoking comes from taking time out to smoke and also from the chemical effects of nicotine on the brain. If you return to the stressful environment soon after finishing your cigarette, the tension will soon return and you will need another cigarette. Cigarettes don’t actually make tension, stress or depression go away. The only way to really manage stress in your life is to identify what causes stress and learn to change the way you react to stressful situations.
smoking to control weight
It’s true that the nicotine in tobacco products reduces your appetite and cheers you up when you feel your energy level dropping because of hunger. But these effects don’t last, and before you can wait, you’re hungry again. Using a cigarette to keep your weight down has other disadvantages. Smoking does nothing for your muscles. You can even lose weight, but yours won’t be toned and you won’t have the energy that comes from combining exercise and eating right, either. If you’re smoking because you’re afraid of gaining weight when you quit, remember that not everyone gets fat when they quit.
Sensations Smoking
Gives You Think about what times of the day smoking is needed:
After the effects of breakfast begin to wear off?
Close to meals?
After standing still for a long time?
Sometimes people smoke to gain concentration or stay alert. The nicotine in tobacco products is usually enough to wake up your brain, but there’s no substitute for a good night’s sleep, healthy eating, exercise and enjoying life.
to fit in
Smoking can be a very important thing in your social life. Do you automatically smoke when next to someone who smokes? Do some people, places or things seem to make you want to smoke? Do your friends smoke? Friends care about each other, give support and do activities together to confirm the affinities they have. But why share an activity that puts your life at risk? If your friends smoke, ask if they don’t want to quit too. Perhaps many are convinced that it is time to stop. One can help the other. If they don’t want to, ask them not to smoke near you, don’t offer you cigarettes, or don’t leave cigarettes around.
teenagers and tobacco
You may have started smoking to suit your friends. Or maybe your parents smoke. Whatever your reason for smoking, there are many more reasons to quit:
You’ll be more in control of your life after you quit smoking
You’ll look better. Your hair, clothes, and breathing will all get better and your teeth will look whiter. Teenagers always say they prefer to date or kiss someone who doesn’t smoke
Add up how much you spend a week, month or year on cigarettes. What else can you do with the money?
Smoking causes bad breath, teeth problems, mouth pain or stains
Smoking is not a smart way to lose weight or avoid gaining weight. Physical activity is a much better way to control weight and it will give you more muscle mass. Although some people gain weight after they stop smoking, this is temporary. In some cases, weight loss even occurs because people become more active after they stop smoking
After you stop smoking, you will tire less after physical activity.