If you smoke, you know how hard it is to think about quitting! Addictive habits are by nature hard to give up, especially if they have been a big part of your life for many years. Smoking cigarettes and other forms of tobacco is one of the most common addictions amongst adults, so you are certainly not alone.

Smoking is bad for your health no matter which way you look at it, so we will always encourage you to quit. It is possible for you to do even if it feels insurmountable at the moment.

Our AFC Urgent Care Statesville team wants you to live the healthiest life that you can—and that includes being smoke-free. Read on as our team offers up some helpful tips on how to quit.

How Is Tobacco Addictive?

There are many thousands of toxic chemicals found in cigarettes, but one of the most impactful and addicting is nicotine. Nicotine is a chemical that triggers the release of dopamine into your system, which will make you feel relaxed, happy and satisfied. Dopamine is kind of like the reward center in your brain, so naturally, your brain will crave this feeling more and more as smoking becomes part of your daily life.

The cravings you get are your body’s way of telling you it wants that dopamine release, and they can be really intense when they hit! Quitting smoking may seem easy between these cravings, but it can seem impossible when the craving appears. It may be helpful to remember that the craving you feel will be most intense in the first five to 10 minutes and will slowly fade after that. Focus your attention on something else entirely or remove yourself from the situation until the craving reaches a more manageable state.

Diseases Caused By Chronic Smoking

• COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
• Lung cancer
• Heart disease
• Emphysema

What’s the Best Way to Quit Smoking?

Unfortunately, we can’t answer that for you. Quitting an addictive habit like smoking is an incredibly personalized process and requires your focus and determination every day. What works for your friend or neighbor may not work for you, so it may take some trial and error. Nicotine replacement therapy like gum or patches may help get you started, or jumping into a new hobby can keep your brain occupied.

One helpful thing to do is to remove the situations in your life where you normally light up to take away some of the temptation. Places like bars, parties or even your front porch during your morning cup of coffee may need to be eliminated from your life for a while while you are trying to quit. We believe in you!

Health Benefits to Look Forward to After Quitting

• Stronger, less damaged lungs
• Reduced risk for cancer and other diseases
• Improved physical appearance and senses
• Eliminating secondhand smoke at home for your family

We are always here for you. Stop by AFC Urgent Care Statesville any day of the week.