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Why Is It So Hard To Quit Smoking?

In this Article:
Smoking Addiction
How Does Nicotine Work?
Why Is It So Hard To Quit Smoking?
Smoking Treatment
Smoking Addiction Forum

As a result, getting quit smoking help, colloquially called 'kicking the habit', is widely regarded as one of the most difficult of all addictions to quit. Reasons that make it so hard include:

Ritualism: Smokers inevitably ritualize cigarettes, habitually twining them to their daily lives; to various activities (driving, work break) or to times of the day (first thing in the morning, after a meal).

Cravings: Nicotine provides artificial receptor stimulation in the brain, and the brain responds with dependence: it slows production of its own neurotransmitters and it ups the . When nicotine use stops, the brain is left with an excess of receptors that crave the sudden shortage of the artificial stimulant. These cravings can be overwhelming.

Associated Withdrawal Symptoms: The cessation of nicotine results in irritability, hostility, headaches, anxiety, depression, decreased heart rate, and an increased appetite, to name a few.

In recent years, local and federal governments, along with public health organizations, have made numerous attempts to curb smoking. They include ad campaigns meant to educate people on the dangers of smoking, price increases through taxes to discourage smokers, and policies that restrict smoking in public places.

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More than 100,000 U.S. deaths are caused by excessive alcohol consumption each year. Direct and indirect causes of death include drunk driving, cirrhosis of the liver, falls, cancer, and stroke.

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