Smoking was not your congenital addiction. You took it in certain time and now you say you can’t quit from smoking. This is completely wrong mental set up. You can be normal ,you just need to ahead little bit. Many smokers continue smoking not by choice but because they are addicted. A large part of this addiction arises from dependence on the nicotine delivered rapidly to the brain with each inhalation. Addiction does not make it impossible to stop doing something, it just means that there are powerful urges and needs that have to be overcome in order to do so. Anything that can strengthen the resolve to resist these urges and needs or reduce their frequency or intensity can help in overcoming the addiction.
Surveys consistently find that a majority of smokers want to quit but only about 2-3% of smokers succeed long term. But still I can where there is a will there is a way. Now let me tell you the instant result after stopping smoking, hope it will encourage you.
Health benefits after stopping smoking
20 minutes – Pulse return to normal.
8 hours – Nicotine is reduced by 90% and carbon monoxide levels in blood reduce by 75%. Circulation improves.
24 hours – Carbon monoxide and nicotine almost eliminated from the body. Lungs start to clear out smoking debris.
48 hours – All traces of nicotine are removed from the body. The ability to taste and smell improves.
72 hours – Breathing is easier. Bronchial tubes begin to relax and energy levels increase.
2-12 weeks – Circulation improves.
1 month – Physical appearance improves – skin loses its grey pallor and becomes less wrinkled.
3-9 months – Coughing and wheezing declines.
1 year – Excess risk of a heart attack reduces by half.
10 years – Risk of lung cancer falls to about half that of a continuing smoker.
15 years – Risk of a heart attack falls to the same as someone who has never smoked.
Smoking cessation aids
The chances of success of any given quit attempt are low but the chances of stopping are high if smokers keep trying. Most smokers take several attempts to quit before they finally succeed. However, there are many things that smokers can do to improve their chances of quitting. These fall into two categories: medication and psychological support.
Medication
Medications aim to help smokers quit smoking by reducing the chemically-driven need to smoke and/or blocking the pleasure associated with smoking. Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) works by replacing the nicotine provided in cigarettes and allowing smokers to slowly reduce their dependence on nicotine. Varenicline (Champix) works by alleviating nicotine withdrawal and reducing the “rewards” of smoking. There is evidence to suggest that using a combination of NRT medications (e.g. combining the nicotine patch with gum or lozenges) is more effective than using them in isolation.
Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT)
Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) includes nicotine chewing gum, patches, lozenges,mouth spray, inhalator and nasal spray and is usually taken for 8 to 12 weeks. NRT products can be purchased from a pharmacist and in some shops or obtained on prescription from a GP or qualified NHS Stop Smoking Advisor. NRT is designed to reduce the motivation to smoke by replacing nicotine from cigarettes. By alleviating nicotine withdrawal symptoms, the transition from cigarette smoking to complete abstinence is easier. Clinical trials have consistently found that NRT increases the success of quitting smoking by 50–70%.
There is a commonly held belief amongst many smokers that nicotine causes cancer and that NRT is therefore also unsafe. But it is the tar in cigarette smoke along with other toxins which causes lung cancer and other smoking-related illnesses. Some smokers express concern about becoming addicted to NRT. However, this is rare, a better alternative to smoking, and in studies looking at NRT use for up to five years there have been no health concerns.
Varenicline (Champix)
Varenicline (Champix) is a prescription only medication which comes as a course of tablets lasting 12 weeks, sometimes with the option of a further 12 weeks for those that are not smoking at the end of the initial treatment. Varenicline works by preventing nicotine from reaching nicotine receptors in the brain, and by stimulating dopamine production both of which make cigarettes less satisfying. Clinical trials have found varenicline to be more effective in helping people stop smoking than either bupropion or placebo.
Bupropion (Zyban)
Bupropion (Zyban) is a prescription-only medication which comes as a course of tablets lasting around 8 weeks. It does not contain any nicotine but works by reducing (or entirely alleviating) cravings and nicotine withdrawal by blocking the pleasure smokers feel when using tobacco. Bupropion is safe for most healthy adults but there are some documented side effects including insomnia, dry mouth and headaches. The most serious side effect is the risk of seizures (fits) but this only occurs in 1 in 1000 people, or 0.1%. Clinical trials have found that bupropion significantly increase a smoker’s chance of quitting.
Other Stop Smoking Medications
Mecamylamine is a drug which was originally marketed for lowering blood pressure but found to block the effects of nicotine. High doses of the drug are needed for it to be an effective smoking cessation aid but this brings significant side effects including constipation, drowsiness and hypotension.
Cytisine has been on the market in Eastern Europe for at least forty years but is not licensed for use in the United Kingdom. There is evidence that it is effective but it may be that further research will be required before it can be licensed in the UK.
Clonidine was licensed for the treatment of hypertension but also reduces the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal so it is listed as a second-line treatment for smoking cessation in the United States.
Behavioural support
Behavioural support aims to strengthen the smoker’s motivation not to smoke and advise on ways on avoiding, escaping from or minimising urges to smoke with simple practical strategies.
Specialist Stop Smoking Practitioners
Most Stop Smoking Services offer closed groups, ‘rolling’ groups and drop-in sessions as well as individual appointments, facilitated by fully trained advisors. Clinical trials have found that stop smoking groups double a smoker’s chance of quitting successfully. There is some evidence that groups are more effective than individual counselling). Most smokers attending groups will also use medication to maximise their chances of success.
Community Stop Smoking Practitioners
Most GP surgeries, pharmacies, hospitals, midwifery services and mental health facilities will provide a free Stop Smoking Advisor to assist smokers who wish to quit. Clinical trials have found that one-to-one support doubles a smoker’s chance of quitting successfully. The majority of smokers seeing an advisor will also use medication to maximize their chances of success.
Telephone support
The National NHS Stop Smoking Helpline (0800 022 4 332) is a free service for smokers who wish to stop smoking but do not require the more intensive support offered by the Stop Smoking Services. In addition to this, some NHS Stop Smoking Services will provide psychological support over the telephone for smokers who are mobility impaired or unable to attend face to face services.
At last I can say you have innumerable possibilities to quit the smoking .You can either take support of medicine or you need mental counseling, ultimately you need the commitment to do something. You can if you think you can.
Information source – SMOKE FREE NHS
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