Mark Twain said, “Quitting smoking is easy. I’ve done it a thousand times.”
Well, we all know: quitting smoking reduces the risk of terrible illnesses like
cancer and cardiovascular disease. It increases fertility levels, breathing and
overall fitness. Another benefit of quitting is enjoying the taste of food
again. You will look and smell better and on top of it all, save a lot of money.
Why then is it so hard for many to stop the habit - or addiction - of smoking?
The reasons for smoking addiction can be cut down to 2
important factors: nicotine and habits. Nicotine, for one, is a highly addictive
substance that occurs naturally in tobacco, and hooks your brain by stimulating
it with a shot of dopamine, the hormone that tells us that food and sex are
pleasurable. It also increases activity in areas of the brain that are believed
to be involved in cognitive functions, so a cigarette can make you feel sharper
and more focused. As if that weren’t enough, nicotine also increases the
endorphin levels, the proteins that give you feelings of euphoria. Needless to
say that having a ‘tool’ that can make you feel better in these ways, is
something you don’t give it up easily. Quitting may leave you feeling deprived,
and you may exhibit serious withdrawal symptoms if you have to go without
nicotine.
Another important factor for this specific kind of addiction
is habits - the patterns that are involved in smoking. Smoking behavior usually
becomes closely linked with daily activities and ‘cues’ such as: after a meal,
when socializing with friends, to ‘take a break’, when under stress (to relax),
when relaxing (to relax further), etc. These aspects of smoking can be just as
challenging to overcome as the physical dependence.
Consequently, most people who want to quit smoking once and
for all, require an approach that deals with both vulnerabilities: the addiction
itself and the behavioral aspects of it. The current ‘traps’ have to be
identified and after that, new patterns and routines to be developed that make
it easier to ‘skip’ the impulse to look for a cigarette. Hypnotherapy can
support in this aspect by allowing our mind to adapt to the new behavior, but it
can’t do wonders without the patient’s strong dedication to getting rid of their
smoking addiction. The first few weeks without cigarettes are usually the
hardest. After 8-12 weeks, most individuals who make it that far start to feel
more comfortable without smoking. Still, only 3 in 10 people can successfully
stop smoking once and for all.
|
Live the happy life you planned! Richard L.
Fellner is head of the Pattaya Counseling Center in Soi Khopai and
offers consultations in English and German languages (after making
appointments at 0854 370 470). |
