Tobacco use disorder is an addiction that can be hard to break. Regardless of what tobacco product you use, quitting can sometimes be a process and involve several attempts before being successful. Don’t be discouraged if you are not able to quit on the first attempt. Some people choose to quit on their own, while others may go to a professional for medications and options to help.
Many people find it helpful to have a plan to make quitting easier. You can get STARTed today by making a quit plan:
S Set a quit date
T Tell family, friends, and co-workers that you plan to quit and might need their help
A Anticipate and plan for challenges or obstacles you might face while trying to quit
R Remove any tobacco-related products from your home, car, and work
T Talk to your medical provider about medications and support.
Counseling is a critical part when it comes to quitting tobacco products. This may be done individually or in a group setting and time frames may vary. Utilizing counseling along with a medication to assist with quitting can double or triple a person’s success rate.
Understanding why tobacco use is addictive can support your quitting journey. When you stop using tobacco products, nicotine withdrawal can begin within just a few hours. Nicotine withdrawal symptoms may include the following:
Did you know that you are more likely to start smoking cigarettes if you vape? These products tend to have a lot more nicotine in them then other tobacco products, however, there are no safe exposure levels with any tobacco product. Vapes, e-cigarettes, and JUUL products are currently not regulated through the FDA and is not an FDA approved method for quitting tobacco use. There has also been an increase in outbreaks of lung injuries associated with the use of these products.
Historically the tobacco industry has been known for increasing the number of chemicals in their product. This allows the user to become more dependent or hooked on their product. Tobacco companies have also been known to spread misconceptions about tobacco use being a personal choice and that quitting is a matter of willpower. The reality is nicotine in these products are highly addictive. It isn’t as simple as tobacco use being a habit. It is an addiction and needs to be treated that way. Learn more about nicotine addiction.
