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Smoking is an unhealthy behavior that can become an addiction. The term refers to all types of smoking, including cigar, cigarette, pipe, and secondhand smoke exposure. Smoking is harmful in all forms, and there is no safe or safer way to smoke. Smoking causes or worsens many diseases and damages almost every tissue and organ in the body.
What Causes Smoking Addiction?
The nicotine in cigarettes sends a“feel good” effect to the brain. Cigarette smoking may become a quick and reliable way to boost your outlook, relieve stress, and unwind. Smoking can also be a way of coping with depression, anxiety, or even boredom. Long-term use of cigarettes and other ways of smoking may cause addiction and it will give you a hard time quitting.
Signs and Symptoms of Smoking Addiction
- You cannot stop smoking. You have made one or more serious, but unsuccessful attempts to stop.
- You have withdrawal symptoms when you try to stop. As a result of your efforts at quitting, you have experienced physical and mood-related symptoms such as cravings, anxiety, irritability, restlessness, difficulty concentrating, frustration, anger, and insomnia.
- You keep smoking despite health problems. It doesn’t matter if your lungs or heart have been affected.
- You give up social activities. As a result, you may stop going to smoke-free restaurants or stop socializing with family and friends.
The Risk Factors of Hard Habit of Smoking
- Age. If you begin smoking at a young age, you are more likely to become addicted.
- Genetics. A person’s genetics may affect how his or her brain’s nerve cells respond to high doses of nicotine from cigarettes.
- Parents and peers. Children who grow up with parents who smoke are more likely to become smokers. Children with friends who smoke are also more likely to try it.
- Depression or other mental illness. Mentally ill persons are more likely to smoke, such as those with depression, schizophrenia, post-traumatic stress disorder, or other forms of mental illness.
- Substance use. People who abuse alcohol and illegal drugs are more likely to be smokers.
How to Diagnose Smoking Addiction?
Your doctor may ask you questions or have you fill out a questionnaire to see how dependent you are on nicotine. It is important to know your degree of dependence so your doctor can determine the right treatment regimen.
Treatment for Hard Habit of Smoking
Behavioral treatments through counseling play a big role in managing cigarette addiction. During individual or group counseling, you learn techniques you can use to help you stop smoking. Some quit-smoking products are known as nicotine replacement therapy to manage the addiction. Medications may include:
