Stop Smoking Academy

Any ex-smoker will tell you that the most difficult thing he’s ever done is quitting the cigarette. Most people who attempt this uphill task give up halfway. The ones who succeed should be given a medal for will power. Studies have proven that the addiction to nicotine, delivered via the cigarette smoke, is comparable to the kind of addiction experienced with heroine and cocaine use. The body starts getting detoxified eight hours after the last cigarette is smoked. This is when carbon monoxide levels in the blood normalize. Nicotine stays in the body for the three to four days after the last cigarette is smoked, hence marking this as the beginning of the toughest physical withdrawal symptoms.

Withdrawals symptoms are usually characterized by an overall moodiness, a rising of temper, anxiety, at times insomnia, and an overall feeling of frustration. Unfortunately, the withdrawal period sometimes takes a few weeks, and it is extremely crucial for any soon to be ex-smoker to remain firmly resolved to see this through to the end. Physical withdrawals may be eased out by the use of nicotine patches, gums, or even sprays or inhalers. The psychological cues are what makes it so hard to resist the temptation. These are harder to deal with, and they may really take much longer than just a few weeks to get rid of.

Though there are substances available to help you get over the physical withdrawal process slightly easily, the psychological withdrawal is much tougher to beat. Actually, it is quite often the deciding factor for a smoker to start the habit again, in spite of beating the physical withdrawal symptoms. To successfully wipe out all psychological cues to smoke, here are a few tips that may come in handy for anybody wishing to quit:

Get ready for the big day. Of course, it would be fantastic to just wake up and toss out your cigarettes, but if you have been smoking for a long time, the preparations you make anticipating this step count! Pick a day when you will quit the habit. Gather all your smoking accessories, such as lighters, ashtrays, cigarettes, and put them in a big, handy box. Join a Yoga class or maybe a Tai Chi class. Sign up for a quit smoking class or support group. Even if you decide you don’t need it now, it is good to have the option as a back-up.

On the big day, take the box in which you had put all your smoking paraphernalia and get rid of the contents permanently. Hiding them in the back of the closet or garage is not the same as taking to the dumpster and disposing of them once and for all! On the same lines, air out your house or apartment, call a carpet cleaner to come and thoroughly wash the carpet to get rid of the lingering cigarette smell. Also, this is good time to get the drapes cleaned, do some laundry and get your hair done.

Recognize what’s tempting you. Whatever the length of time for which you’ve smoked, you have probably come to link certain activities with smoking. Maybe in the morning you face great temptations because you are used to having a cigarette with your morning coffee. You obviously don’t want to give up breakfast or your morning coffee, but you must break the association of cigarette smoking with that activity. Therefore, if you usually enjoy your breakfast at the kitchen table, it’s a good idea to move it outside to the balcony and enjoy breakfast while overlooking the city. Another option is to buy that book you always wanted to read and read as you are eating. Some may say this is bad manners, but since you are fighting an addiction, you will most certainly be forgiven for this little lapse in etiquette! You can even consider moving your breakfast table to a different place to give the experience of breakfast a whole new feel.

Avoid situations that tempt you to smoke. Don’t accompany your smoking office mates outside for their smoking break. Temptation will rise if you do so. Instead socialize with them while having a cup of coffee in any place where smoking is not welcomed.