Hyderabad: Smoking is like driving without any protection.To smoke or not to smoke is every smoker’s dilemma ever. During this lockdown, where only essential products are available, smokers have been craving for a tab. But, this probably might be the best time to quit smoking all together.
Dr. Phani Prasant, consultant Psychiatrist at Chetana Hospital, Hyderabad says, “The substance that causes addiction of smoking is Nicotine. As compared to alcohol or any other substance, smoking is the most addictive one. It is harder to give up smoking than to give up alcohol.
You are exposing your body to harmful chemicals, the consequences of which will be experienced over time. So, Dr. Prasant recommends the following tips that can help you quit smoking amidst this quarantine:
- It’s YOUR Risk
People don’t realize the risk they are taking and justify their practise. Therefore, it becomes difficult for one to quit smoking or appreciate quitting it unless they understand that it is their life, along with their family and friends who are also smoking passively, that is at risk. Unless you are convinced that it is for your own health and of your loved ones, you can never quit smoking. - Get Over Your Dependencies
Smoking can lead to two types of dependencies:
- Physiological Dependency
- Psychological Dependency
Physiological dependence is where your body is addicted to nicotine. Nicotine stimulates the brain, the nicotinic receptors that have been developed in your brain force you to smoke. Once you stop smoking, withdrawal symptoms occur.
Psychological dependence is when you attach a significant event of your life with smoking, like while having coffee or tea, where you associate it with relaxation or before going to the bathroom, where you associate it to your bowel movement, or for relieving stress.
Thus, It is important to identify the triggers and leave your dependency.
- Quit Completely At Once
The best way to stop smoking is doing it all at once. It can be very drastic and withdrawal symptoms might occur, but it is the best way to do it. If you do it gradually, once the supply increases, you are likely to increase smoking again. Once you have made a conscious decision, it is best to stop it completely. - Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT)
There are lots of Nicotine Replacement Therapies available. In India, they are available in the form of gums and patches. Gums are not equivalent to cigarettes, although they are to be taken like a medication and not like normal ones. There is a proper way of consuming it. Patches are especially for ones who have early morning withdrawal symptoms. - Medication
People who have very high consumption of cigarettes, there are medicines available which reduces craving and withdrawal. In this case, the person needs to consult a psychiatrist and take the medicine under prescription only. It successfully controls the urge to smoke and is very helpful in quitting it.
Therefore, along with the tips mentioned above, it is also important to change your daily routine. List out the activities that trigger the urge to smoke and change the routine accordingly.
Dr. Prasant says, “Unlike alcohol, which if taken in a small amount might be healthier for some people, there is nothing like a safe limit in a cigarette. Even one cigarette is very harmful”.
Hence, it is important to understand the risk you take by smoking a cigarette. Also, there are many treatment options available if you have made up a conscious decision to quit it and save your life.
