Having a list of New Year’s resolutions like these for example can help achieve goals, whether they are personal or professional. Before New Year’s Eve, a lot of people mention withdrawal from smoking in the said list. However, an average of 10 quitting attempts is all it takes for a smoker to fully obtain that smoke-free achievement, making quitting smoking hard to commit.
Regardless, there are a few science-backed contributing factors that you need to know why withdrawing from smoking is challenging, as well as some proven steps that you must identify so that you can give up smoking for good.
As the American Lung Association claims, a three-link smoking addiction chain containing physical, mental, and social elements exist. If you want to back out of smoking once and for all, you should address the following three links for a better chance of quitting smoking and living a smoke-free life:
- The Physical Element
Nicotine exists in all cigarettes. As an addictive chemical, it further augments the release of another chemical in the brain, namely dopamine.
Inhaling nicotine makes a person feel good, but when the dopamine release decreases, such symptoms persist. The return of these symptoms induces a craving for another cigarette.
Smokers may even acquire a high tolerance and physical fixation on nicotine. For them to experience that similar effect, they should smoke more. Additionally, the use of dab rigs causes the smoker to crave for more.
You should reach out to your nearest healthcare provider on the prescribed medications for countering these symptoms.
- The Mental Element
Smoking is considered a daily routine for those who have become dependent on it. Some situational influences, such as being stressed out, triggers a person to light up a smoke.
Even when drinking coffee or during a particular time of day, smokers show a tendency to light up. It’s as if a pack of cigarettes has gradually become a reliable “friend” for an addict.
Identifying the above stimulants and making a lifestyle overhaul via a quit plan is among the tested methods to quit smoking.
- The Social Element
In a workplace setting, you might have noticed that a few of your colleagues head out to light up during a break. This results in a specific gathering wherein your buddies can socialize with their fellow smokers, forming a small social group in the office as a result.
However, this same scenario also applies to smokers who have made a few quit attempts. If you happen to be one of the few who is on the way to a smoke-free recovery, you should try to join a social group promoting withdrawal from smoking.
Besides, having a support system of family and friends who encourages you to quit smoking helps a lot.
Final Words
It is never too late to quit smoking and live a smoke-free and healthy lifestyle. As long as you commit yourself to your quit plan and be consistent with your New Year’s resolution, rest assured that you will manage to get out of smoking successfully for all time.