Quit Smoking by Understanding Nicotine Addiction

Understanding the nature of nicotine addiction is one of the first steps in attempting to quit smoking.

You should consider yourself addicted if:

• smoking controls your behaviour such that you continue to practice it compulsively despite knowledge of its ill-effects,
• you find smoking rewarding thus reinforcing its use,
• your level of smoking increases in an effort to recreate the original pleasurable feelings you experienced,
• your physical dependence on smoking leads to withdrawal symptoms when you try to quit smoking.

Effects of Nicotine on the Brain

Nicotine binds quickly to nerve cells at specific receptors which can either arouse or relax depending on the time of day and method of smoking.

Its dual nature (as a stimulant and relaxant) increases the difficulty a smoker has in trying to quit smoking.

Becase nicotine causes neurotransmitters to be released which give feelings of reward, pleasure and relief from pain, a smoker is prompted to repeat its intake on a regular basis.

Perceptions of Smokers

Many smokers meet resistance when trying to quit smoking due to their illusion of smoking as a positive experience which provides them with increased alertness and focus.

The reality is that any improvement in a smokers state of mind after smoking is in part due to having ended a period of nicotine deprivation.

Not long after finishing a cigarette, a smoker will more than likely experience a decrease in energy levels and seek relief by lighting up again.

Repeated intake of nicotine causes brain cells to grow a high number of nicotine receptors such that the smoker must continue smoking at regular intervals to feel normal.

Rehabilition to Quit Smoking

With an understanding of the factors that contribute to nicotine addiction, one can then take the necessary steps towards addressing and rectifying them.