Is Smoking Addictive?

It’s not just in your mind, smoking really is addictive – and you’ll feel real physical withdrawal symptoms when you try to quit.

Stop Smoking

Almost 80 per cent of smokers want to quit for health or economic reasons, but only about 3 per cent are able to stop using willpower alone.

Tips to Stop Smoking: What is Nicotine?

An addictive substance, nicotine is a stimulant drug that releases dopamine, the chemical in the brain that triggers feelings of happiness and relaxation.

Nicotine moves swiftly to the brain with each puff, creating powerful urges that are difficult to overcome. In fact, it’s an addiction as strong as drugs like heroin and cocaine, according to the Royal College of Physicians.

Is it Hard to Stop Smoking?

And, like other drugs, its effects decrease over time, so that smokers build up a tolerance and need to use more cigarettes to get the same satisfaction. Smokers also find that they have to continue smoking to prevent withdrawal symptoms from setting in.
Stop Smoking Withdrawal Symptoms

Smokers often experience temporary withdrawal symptoms when they stop smoking, and often resume smoking because of them. Some of these could be:

• For the first two days: light-headedness
• For the first week: waking up during the night
• For the first two weeks: nicotine cravings (improved by using nicotine gum or patches) and difficulty concentrating
• For the first month: irritability, anxiety, depression or restiveness, although you will experience this for less than a month
• For the first two months: increased appetite
• For the first year: weight gain. If you stop smoking without making an effort to watch your diet and exercise (which will now be easier due to improved health), you could put on about 5kg over the course of a year

Stop Smoking Successfully

Most people try to quit several times before they finally succeed, and almost all need outside help – remember, smokers experience the same level of addiction as heroine or cocaine addicts. Here are some treatment options.

Tips to Stop Smoking

• Medications can reduce cravings – but beware of side effects like insomnia, headaches and in rare cases seizures
• Nicotine replacement therapies like skin patches, chewing gum, lozenges, inhalers or nasal sprays
• Therapy or other psychological support can help strengthen your motivation
• Group therapy – the group can solve problems together and help you to realise you are not alone

Stop Smoking Tips: For five easy steps to stop smoking, visit Tips to Stop Smoking .

Read More on Smoking:

Five Easy Steps to Quit Smoking

Smoking and Heart Disease

Smoking and Pregnancy

Smoking and Cancer

How Your Smoking Affects Your Children

Secondhand Smoke

The Benefits of Quitting

Smoking: The Statistics

Smoking: An Addiction As Strong As Heroin!