Addiction is something that’s incredibly hard to cope with, no matter what it is that a person is addicted to. Cigarettes, and by extension, nicotine products, are easily some of the most difficult substances to quit using, though. Despite the harmful effects that they can have on both our physical and mental health, the loop is really hard to break out of.
It only makes sense, then, that folks have started to develop all sorts of ways to help people recover from nicotine addictions. The tough part is that it does require some initiative on those who are having a hard time smoking. Honestly, reaching out for help is one of the hardest things to do. However, once you’ve taken that first step, there’s a world of opportunities available.
Why is Nicotine so Addictive – and so Hard to Quit?
For something that you can walk down to any corner store and purchase once you turn eighteen, nicotine sure is an addictive and dangerous substance. You can read a bit about what makes it so addictive here, https://www.hss.gov.nt.ca/en/services/health-effects-tobacco/nicotine-it%E2%80%99s-why-smoking-so-addictive, although it does focus specifically on smoking. The gist of it, though, is that it’s a chemical that’s absorbed through our blood, and the effects it has on the brain can be quite appealing.
However, even if it feels good at first, eventually it does negatively impact your mental health. The absence of cigarettes or a vape can make a person irritable or grouchy, and even give them physical symptoms like a headache or twitchiness. All of those are signs of an addiction. Another one could be that you are thinking about tobacco often, and constantly considering or looking forward to your next smoke break.
Unfortunately, all of this makes quitting quite the challenge. Most smokers have to try several times, and even then, they can still have cravings decades after quitting. Don’t feel bad if you haven’t found a method that works for you, yet.
Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT)
Tried and true (but not necessarily successful) methods of quitting include NRT, which is nicotine replacement therapy. There’s some further details about it on this page, if you aren’t familiar with it. The idea here is to create some sort of replacement for cigarettes or tobacco for yourself.
While this is a generic umbrella term, keep in mind that there are only a select few products designed to be NRTs that are approved by the FDA in the United States. Just something to think about if you do want to try them. This is typically the first option that smokers go for, and unfortunately, it just isn’t always going to work.
Hypnotherapy
Hypnotherapy is a technique that many therapists and psychologists utilize in their treatment plans, but it hasn’t been overly popular in addiction counseling in the past. This isn’t the case anymore, thankfully, as results have been quite promising thus far. Some counseling centers bring in trained hypnotherapists to assist patients in their recovery efforts.
It’s natural to be a bit apprehensive when it comes to getting hypnotized. It can be a nerve-wracking experience, especially for those who haven’t had it done before. However, if you’re able to find a good treatment or counseling center with the properly trained staff, they’ll be there to walk you through the entire process.
So, don’t worry if it’s not something that you’re familiar with just yet. Most counselors will be understanding and compassionate. Most importantly, they aren’t there to judge you for having difficulty quitting smoking.
Does it Work?
With the fact that it’s a potential option to help stop smoking, the question is now: does hypnotherapy really work for this sort of thing? Well, just like any method of quitting smoking, different people will have different results. There are varying levels of success depending on a couple of factors.
For instance, some people just aren’t very easy to hypnotize. If that turns out to be you, that’s okay! You can either keep trying, and do some relaxation techniques beforehand, or you can turn to other methods of quitting. However, there are plenty of people who find that it’s quite helpful.
There have even been academic studies done on the topic, like the one you can see here: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15376606/. All of this is to say that hypnotherapy is a proven treatment for nicotine addiction. It’s trustworthy and non-invasive, which are both pretty important when it comes to mental health.
Quitting Matters – Here’s Why
No matter which method you use to quit nicotine, taking that step to do so is a really big deal. You should be proud of yourself for reaching the point that you know you want to quit smoking, and will do what it takes to do so. It’s not easy, and it’s to be admired.
Whatever way you look at it, nicotine is a harmful substance. Smoking cigarettes can really damage our health, especially our lungs. Chewing tobacco can lead to mouth cancer or throat cancer. Really, it’s just an ingredient in many potent carcinogens. While it’s never easy to take a step back and stop using it, it’ll be worth it in the long run.
When you quit, you’re reclaiming a part of your life. You’ll be free to spend your time how you want to, without having to worry about when you’ll be able to smoke next and what you’ll do with the butt of your cigarette.