Overcoming nicotine addiction is possible

According to the American Lung Association, lung cancer is the leading type of cancer deaths among men and women today. As November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month, it’s important to discuss ways to discontinue nicotine use to help prevent this disease, and to help those avoid developing this disease.

Many people believe that smoking is almost impossible to quit; however, a majority of people do successfully stop smoking and go on to live their lives as a non-smoker. In fact, if a smoker quits before the age of 40, it could drastically reduce their chance of developing lung cancer and can in some cases reverse some of the damage smoking may have caused.

In the article, “Quitting smoking before age 40 brings back years of life you would have lost: study” Dr. Prabhat Jha, head of the Centre for Global Health Research at St. Michael's Hospital and a professor in the Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto claims, "Quitting smoking before age 40, and preferably well before 40, gives back almost all of the decades of lost life from continued smoking.” He then adds, "That's not to say, however, that it is safe to smoke until you are 40 and then stop. Former smokers still have a greater risk of dying sooner than people who never smoked. But the risk is small compared to the huge risk for those who continue to smoke."

Even though many people now consider nicotine use an addiction, there are not many traditional treatment or rehab programs that offer help for overcoming a nicotine addiction. Some people try 12 step programs to help them quit; however, most of the time these programs reiterate that a person is powerless over nicotine, which can set a person up for failure. Some find success in tapering off their cigarette use; others try the patch or the now popular e-cigarettes which allow for the feeling of smoking a cigarette without the harmful carcinogens and second hand smoke.

So how do people successfully quit smoking? Here are a few tips that could help you:

1. Be a positive thinker.

Sure there are going to be physical withdrawal symptoms but they will be much worse if you make them a bigger issue than they actually are. If you think of smoking as something that does not control your life or matter much you will battle through the withdrawal symptoms like they are a piece of cake. If you go into quitting thinking the worst of the situation, chances are you will live up to the expectation you created in your mind. Surround yourself with positivity if you’re trying to quit smoking, try relaxation and breathing techniques, soak in a warm bath, whatever will help you decrease your stress or fear levels.

2. Change your self-image.

In many cases you probably became a smoker because you identified with the “smoker lifestyle.” In many cases being a smoker has become part of your identity; however your role in life does not have to be to remain a smoker. Maybe you started smoking as a young adult to feel more mature and now you’re middle-aged, have peaked in maturity and are ready to create a new role for yourself. Imagine yourself as a non-smoker and begin playing into that role. It is never too late to change your self-image, especially if smoking no longer provides an allure to you.

3. Change your patterns and habits associated with smoking.

Enjoy a cigarette after lunch? Try replacing that habit with something you will look forward to just as much. Smoke with the morning paper? Try taking a walk instead of smoking, or having lunch with a non-smoker friend. It’s not necessary to change your friends because of smoking; however, habitual behaviors you have created regarding smoking may revolve around these friends. Typically changing these routines can take time and do not happen overnight. Make one small change a week and you will see positive results over time. More importantly do not become frustrated with yourself.

In the end, quitting smoking takes commitment and will power. Once you commit to quitting it is up to you to keep that commitment and follow through with it. Finding other pleasure activities to replace smoking with will greatly help, but your mindset is one of the most important factors in this lifestyle change. Always remember why you’re trying to change your habit, whether that is for your children, your health, and your loved one or for your own personal satisfaction. These reminders will help you stay focused on the goal you created for yourself.

Taken from: Guest Post (article, By Marie Portillo), Google (images).