It takes courage to stop smoking since the nicotine habit is another form of drug addiction that can be hard to beat especially after indulging in the habit for a long period of time. Of course, no one who started to smoke actually wanted to become enslaved to a habit that very likely begins to damage their health from the first puff they take. Nor did they plan on beginning a habit that will cost them enough finances to buy a car over a several year period.
And of course, those who smoke never planned on beginning an addiction that would prove to negatively affect their families and children. However, since smoking cigarettes is an acquired habit through personal choice, it can also be stopped through personal choice…although very hard to do for most people. In fact, it takes special courage to quit.
Over 45 million Americans smoke every day and it’s a fact that almost one in every five deaths in the U.S. are a result of using tobacco. That should be a huge deterrent for those who think about smoking and should be a huge reason for smokers to stop. However, it’s just plain hard to quit smoking because of the addictive properties in tobacco. Nicotine is the addicting drug that is in tobacco although there are many other dangerous substances in tobacco as well. Nicotine is addictive very much like cocaine and heroin which explains the seriously addictive nature of tobacco.
Many smokers actually want to quit smoking. In fact, up to 70% of all smokers say they really want to quit. Unfortunately, only about 40% even try and the low amount of only 7% actually succeed. The failure rate is almost phenomenal and is due to several reasons. Not only is nicotine physically addictive such as cocaine or heroin, but it is also very psychologically addictive. Smoking intertwines with general living and social habits that make it really hard to break from when comfort, enjoyment and stress relief is involved.
Many people develop the simple habit of smoking every time they drink a cup of coffee. Or they may need to smoke after every meal they eat. Perhaps they enjoy smoking to relieve their stress while driving through heavy traffic after work. Maybe it’s something that adds comfort to a busy, hectic life and provides a 5 minute reprieve of sorts from time to time. Many people enjoy smoking as a group social interaction when they smoke at social gatherings, with friends or while enjoying TV, playing board games or enjoying some other function. Even holding a cigarette provides some people security as it offers them something to do with their hands when in crowds or at socially tense gatherings.
In many respects, the psychological addiction of smoking is even more powerful than the physical aspect in today’s culture. So it takes a serious commitment to quit and redirect the same psychological needs to something more healthy. If you really want to quit smoking, it is possible to do it, but the first requirement is to muster the courage to find the help you need to stop. If you can’t do it alone, there are many avenues of help through various organizations and with your personal physician’s help.
Some people even make the personal commitment to ‘just quit’ and that’s it. They put the cigarettes down and never pick them up again. While this is admittedly difficult, there are some who do just that. Others may prefer some outside help and feel that they can’t kick the addiction. Each person is different and whatever way you choose to stop smoking shows that you are courageous in addressing a very difficult habit in your life.
P.S. Orr has been writing articles for 6 years on a variety of topics of interest. Come visit the latest website at http://www.downmattresstopper.net/ which helps people find the best deals on a feather mattress topper and more information about luxury down bedding accessories.
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