Smoking is the veritable bad boy of personal habits, harming almost every organ in the human body. According to the National Cancer Institute, smoking is a known cause of cancer, heart disease, stroke, emphysema and chronic bronchitis, accounting for some 438,000 premature deaths every year in the United States. However, people keep smoking ... and smoking. Breaking the nicotine habit for good is extremely difficult, and there are numerous factors that can make a person decide to keep smoking.
Identification
When you're dependent on nicotine, you can't walk away from cigarettes, even though you may logically be aware that smoking is harmful to your health, says the Mayo Clinic. Various factors may put people at risk for nicotine dependence. There are social smokers who occasionally enjoy a cigarette; but there are also smokers who get hooked hard and quick simply because they're genetically predisposed to addiction. People with mental illnesses such as depression and schizophrenia are more likely to smoke, says the Mayo Clinic, as are people who abuse drugs and alcohol. If people around you smoke, you're more likely to smoke, too. Children with parents or friends who smoke are more likely to acquire a habit themselves.
Function
Just like it's impossible for people who dislike the effects of alcohol to understand why others drink, it's difficult for nonsmokers to perceive smoking as an enjoyable, relaxing habit. Like many drugs, nicotine can get smokers hooked, physically and psychologically, explains the National Lung Health Education Program. Within seconds of the first puff of a cigarette, the smoker experiences a rush of dopamine in the brain, a chemical that provides a general sense of well-being. Once nicotine levels in the body decrease, a smoker begins to crave the next nicotine fix.
Effects
Symptoms of nicotine withdrawal peak two to three days after a smoker has had his last cigarette and linger several weeks thereafter, says the American Cancer Society. Withdrawal symptoms are quite harsh and can include nervousness, irritability, sleeplessness, depression, headache, listlessness and increased appetite. Quitting smokers may be quite dizzy the first couple of days. Feelings of anger and frustration are common. The longer a smoker goes without nicotine, the less pronounced the withdrawal symptoms, says the American Cancer Society. However, symptoms are often so powerful, they tempt someone who's trying to quit into resuming old habits.
Considerations
Weight gain is a reality for many people who stop smoking. According to the Weight-Information Control Network, or WIN, the average smoker gains less than 10 lbs. after quitting. But some people who stop gain up to 30 lbs. Once a smoker stops smoking, his metabolism slows down. Coupled with the urge to consume fatty and sugary foods and eat to keep the hands and mouth occupied, weight gain is a likely outcome.
Potential
Smokers who want to successfully kick the habit have their work cut out for them. A stop-smoking plan incorporates numerous aspects of smoking cessation, including seeking professional counseling and forming an extended support network of friends and family, says the Mayo Clinic. An ex-smoker must make lifestyle changes to combat weight gain, such as eating a healthy diet in smaller portions; limiting high-calorie foods and alcohol; and starting a daily exercise routine. Adopting coping mechanisms to deal with nicotine withdrawal--such as avoiding people who smoke or activities that involve smoking--as well as addressing moment-to-moment urges by keeping busy with other hobbies and activities is also key to getting through the hardest days of nicotine withdrawal.
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