Why Do People Start Smoking and Why Is It So Difficult to Quit?

Tobacco is one of the world’s most extensively abused substances. It’s quite addicting. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, tobacco is estimated to cause 6 million deaths each year. As a result, tobacco is the leading preventable cause of mortality. Tobacco contains nicotine, which is the most addictive molecule. When absorbed into the bloodstream or breathed through cigarette smoke, it generates an adrenaline rush. Nicotine also causes a rise in dopamine levels. This is also known as the “happy” chemical in the brain.

What are the symptoms of tobacco addiction?

Tobacco addiction is more difficult to conceal than other types of addiction. This is due to the fact that tobacco is legal, easy to purchase, and maybe consumed in public places. Some people can smoke socially or on occasion, but others develop a nicotine addiction. It’s possible that the person has an addiction if they:

• Numerous attempts to quit, I am unable to stop smoking or chewing.
• When they try to quit, they experience withdrawal symptoms (shaky hands, sweating, irritability, or rapid heart rate)
• Must smoke or chew after every meal or after long periods of time without using, such as after watching a movie or attending a business meeting
• Requires tobacco products to feel “normal” or uses them to cope with stress.
• gives up or refuses to participate in activities or events where smoking or tobacco usage is prohibited
• Despite health issues, they continue to smoke

What are the options for treating tobacco addiction?

Tobacco-free options can be treated in a variety of ways. This addiction, however, can be extremely difficult to overcome. Many users discover that the ritual of smoking might lead to relapse even after nicotine cravings have passed. For those struggling with a tobacco addiction, there are a variety of treatment alternatives available:

The patchNicotine replacement treatment is what the patch is called (NRT). It’s a little sticker that looks like a bandage that you stick on your arm or back. The patch provides a small amount of nicotine to the body. This aids in gradually weaning the body away from it.

• Nicotine chewing gum

Nicotine gum is another type of NRT that can aid people who need to stop smoking or chewing. This is typical because people who are quitting smoking may feel compelled to eat something. Small quantities of nicotine are also delivered by the gum to assist you in managing cravings.

• Inhaler or spray

Nicotine sprays and inhalers, which deliver modest levels of nicotine without the need for tobacco, can help. These are commonly available and sold over the counter. When the spray is inhaled, nicotine is delivered to the lungs.

• Medications

To aid with tobacco addiction, some specialists prescribe the use of medication. Certain antidepressants and blood pressure medications may be able to aid in the management of cravings. An antidepressant that is used off-label to help people quit smoking since it reduces the desire to smoke. Off-label drug usage refers to the use of a medicine that has been approved by the FDA for one use but is not approved for another. A doctor, on the other hand, can still use the medicine for that purpose. Because the FDA regulates medication testing and approval, but not how doctors utilize drugs to treat their patients, this is the case

• SnusPouches

Snus is a tobacco leaf pouch that you place between your lips and gums to get a nicotine hit. Snus is popular because it is non-smoking, non-spitting, and non-obtrusive.

• NicotinePouches

Nicotine pouches, similar to snus, are small oral packets that fit easily beneath your lip and provide nicotine to your gums. The pouches are also convenient and smokeless because they are spit-free and unnoticeable. Unlike snus, nicotine pouches do not contain any tobacco.

In many aspects, Swedish Snus and Nicotine Pouches are similar: they’re both smoke-free, they’re both based on Sweden’s ancient tobacco culture, and they’re both accessible in a pouch format that doesn’t need spitting or inhaling. There are even nicotine levels that are similar between the two! However, in the views of their respective users, there is one key difference between Swedish snus and nicotine pouches: Swedish snus contains tobacco, although nicotine pouches are tobacco-free. One advantage of nicotine pouches over snus is that, unlike other snus kinds, they are usually totally white.

Behavioral and psychological treatments

Some tobacco users have had success with techniques such as:

• hypnotherapy
• CBT (cognitive-behavioral therapy)
• NLP (neuro-linguistic programming)

These techniques assist the user in changing their attitudes around addiction. They operate by changing the feelings or behaviors that your brain identifies with smoking. Tobacco addiction treatment entails a variety of approaches. Keep in mind that what works for one individual might not work for someone else. You should discuss the remedies you should attempt with your doctor.

How to deal with a relapse in smoking?

Without treatment, a tobacco addiction can lead to death. Tobacco use can result in:

• Lung, throat, and mouth cancers are among the most common cancers.
• illness of the heart
• stroke
• Emphysema and bronchitis are examples of chronic lung disorders.

Any of these conditions have the potential to be lethal. Quitting smoking or using tobacco reduces the chance of death from these diseases greatly. Even after the condition has been detected, quitting smoking can help with treatment.

Conclusion

Tobacco addiction is treatable with the right treatment. Tobacco addiction is similar to other drug addictions in that it can never truly be cured. To put it another way, it’s something you’ll have to live with for the rest of your life. Tobacco users have a high rate of relapse. Approximately 75% of persons who quit smoking relapse within the first six months, according to studies. A longer treatment time or a different technique could help you avoid relapsing in the future. Changing lifestyle behaviors, such as avoiding circumstances where other tobacco users are present or applying a positive activity (such as exercising) when cravings arise, can aid in recovery.