5 replies to this topic

[ronald tissot]

Many people try in vain to quit smoking. This is because more than physical attachment, a smoker gets emotionally attached to smoking. Some people start smoking in their teens and as time passes smoking get connected with specific feelings and situations. The psychological role of smoking makes a big difference in the process of quitting smoking.

For some, smoking is a part of their daily life, way of dealing with stress and difficult situations, aid to concentration and observation, reward, a time pass, way to feel part of a group, a habit, an enjoyable ritual or a part of one’s identity. Understanding the triggers can help one to avoid those situations.

For some people cigarettes mark the completion of a task. They help them to divide a day into manageable parts. Many people seek the help of cigarettes to cope with difficult situations, stress, nervousness and anxiety. The constant use of cigarettes to overcome these emotions strengthens the smoker’s relationship with tobacco and creates a psychological dependency. Changing psychological habits can be a little difficult and is most challenging task while quitting.

Some smokers feel that smoking improves concentration. A smoker’s body is used to a particular level of nicotine all the time. If this level decreases he has to face withdrawal symptoms. Poor concentration is one of the withdrawal symptoms of addiction. Nicotine Replacement Therapy helps to reduce the loss of concentration in the early weeks of quitting.

Tobacco also acts as a reward or a motivator to the smokers. While quitting, one must find new ways to reward oneself. Smoking is also used as a time pass by many people.

[Bob]

That was weird.

[redbill73]

Totally agree, it's not just the nicotine addiction, it's the deep rooted psychological habits. Never smoked myself but i've got a few friends who have found it difficult to stop smoking. Some have stopped but during stressful times in their lives they've reverted back to smoking.

[Bob]

Yeah, I know people who have been able to quit many hard drugs, but unable to kick the smoking habit. Seems to be extremely addictive.

[Linda Albert]

I totally agree with you Ronald.
Smoking is really a hard task to quit.
Though people know about the ill effects of smoking they will be helpless to quit it.
Nice post...

[Bob]

I agree Linda, some say smoking is harder to quite than drugs such a heroin.