If you have ever smoked, you know this title is a lie designed to get you to read this article. Smoking is not just a bad habit. Nicotine use is a chemical addition as difficult to break as cocaine or alcohol addiction. Nonetheless many do have success, and those who do stop will be giving themselves up to 15 additional healthy years of life!

Most smokers have heard about the health hazards including chronic lung diseases; cancers of the lung, mouth, throat, vocal cords, and even esophagus, pancreas, and bladder; heart disease; circulatory disease, including strokes; and even peptic ulcers and softening of bones. They are not dummies and would like to quit. The problem is that most started when they were young and naive to the fact that nicotine is highly addictive. Nicotine makes the smoker feel better, more alert, and calm. However, once your brain is used to having the chemical effects of this drug, not continuing to smoke leads to an intolerable anxiety, irritability, or moodiness which can be cured in 10 seconds by puffing on a cigarette again. Many smokers have tried to quit and failed. This does not mean they cannot succeed if they try again.

In general, the method of gradually cutting back will not free you of smoking. The typical scenario when this method is attempted is finding that these last few smokes per day command such anticipation that they rule the day and the smoker is still on the hook. Sooner or later, invariably, the smoker is back near the original level of smoking.

The best approach is to set a day to stop cold turkey and stick to it. To prepare for stop day tell family and friends and ask for their support and avoid people who are smoking. Be aware of situations in which you are accustomed to smoking, such as work breaks, stressful situations, or drinking alcohol. If you have failed previous attempts, think about what caused you to relapse.

Be prepared for withdrawal symptoms including intense anxiety, frustration, and irritability. Chances of success will be improved by reducing these symptoms using a nicotine replacement plan. Consider consulting with your doctor for helpful medications. The use of both medication plus a nicotine replacement plan together is associated with greater success than either alone.

The most successful method of smoking cessation involves participation in an organized session with trained professionals. Freedom From Smoking is a program developed by the American Lung Association and taught by certified smoking cessation facilitators at Coastal Pulmonary Medicine. For more information about the program, call 343-3345, ext 1020, or e-mail ffs@coastalpulmonarymedicine.com.

W. Giles Allen, M.D., FCCP

View Article Library
Return to Home page