How You Can Deal with Problems Of Quitting Smoking
By Andrew Wilson
Most smokers are pretty well aware of the fact that smoking is dangerous to their health as well as to others through passive smoking. While the desire to quit is there, it is often smothered by the fear of experiencing various problems of quitting smoking and the related side effects. A regular smoker knows that he is facing nicotine withdrawal symptoms once he decides to stop smoking for good.
Putting an end to the smoking habit is never easy. In fact, it is easier to get hooked than kick the habit off. However, great rewards await those who have firm determination to stop despite the quit smoking problems that lie ahead which can sometimes become the same reason for going back to your nicotine addiction.
Possible Problems and Side Effects of Nicotine Deprivation
Withdrawal Symptoms
A few hours after the last cigarette, the body begins to feel the absence of nicotine and starts to crave for it. Prolonged lack of the addictive substance can trigger anxiety, crankiness, frustration, anger and other unpleasant feelings. Soon after, the smoker may feel the loss of concentration, boredom, insomnia and depression in its various forms. Other symptoms include headache, dizziness and restlessness. To alleviate these discomfiting sensations, it is recommended to use the nicotine replacement therapy to provide nicotine substitutes such as patches, lozenges or gums.
Emotional and Circumstantial Temptations
As the smoker firmly holds on to his determination to quit smoking, he is confronted with things that normally associated with his smoking habit. While he attempts to control his own urges, he remains in the midst of family and friends who smoke in his presence, continues to perform activities usually combined with cigarette smoking or wraps an activity with a good waft. Initially, the smoker needs to break his attachment to everything that reminds him about smoking. He needs to let his family, friends and colleagues know that he is quitting so they can readily understand why he keeps his distance and avoids social events where smoking is prevalent. Find something to do once the craving sets in or take a deep breath until the urge goes away.
Stress
Smokers believe that a good puff takes away all the stress. Unknown to them, stress is caused when the body starts to crave for nicotine. It is about time to correct the misconception about smoking as a relief for stress because, in truth, it is nicotine addiction that causes the stress. Smoking may provide temporary relief once the body becomes satisfied, but stress is soon to be back until the last trace of nicotine is absorbed by the blood. During the withdrawal period, stress is the most likely to attack the smoker at all times. It is recommended to have a stress-management program to handle cigarette cravings.
Increase in Appetite
People who start on their therapy to quit smoking suddenly find themselves gaining weight because of their new-found interest to eat. A cup of coffee smells more aromatic and a plate of the usual dishes taste more delicious because the nerve endings for the sense of smell and taste are growing back. Gain weight usually occurs after a few weeks after quitting from the smoking habit, but can easily be managed with the right exercise and healthy diet.
The first week is the most difficult period to hurdle because it is usually when the body feels the absence of nicotine. It is the time when a smoker is put to the test and is usually the time when he may abandon his decision to put an end to his nicotine addiction. However, with much perseverance, the ex-smoker may start to feel comfortable and be in full control of his urgings after a couple of weeks. Within six months or so, all the stressful and unpleasant quit smoking problems will evaporate into thin air.
A person who is quitting smoking needs to let his family, friends and colleagues know that he is quitting so they can readily understand why he keeps his distance and avoids social events where smoking is prevalent.
