The 3 most important stages in the process of quitting smoking

In Vietnam, there are many people addicted to cigarettes despite the harmful effects on health and economy. Photo: Thanh Chung

Usually, smokers will become addicted through 3 stages:

1. Psychological addiction:There are beginning to be distorted views about cigarettes, such as the perception that cigarettes are a symbol of "maturity", "masculinity", "sophistication"...

2. Behavioral addiction:Smoking becomes a habit, a conditioned reflex reinforced by repetition over many years, for example smoking when drinking coffee, after meals, when meeting friends, when writing, when working under stress... gradually becoming a habit that is difficult to quit.

3. Physical addiction: When nicotine has an impact on the functioning of the nervous system, it makes smokers feel excited, reduces anxiety, increases concentration, and when quitting smoking, smokers feel sad, anxious, restless, have insomnia, have difficulty concentrating, and struggle because their nervous system has become accustomed to the presence of nicotine in the blood. This is the smoking withdrawal syndrome, the leading cause of failure in quitting smoking.

90% of people with lung cancer are smokers. Smoking is the cause of 75% of cases of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Photo: Internet

1. Cognitive therapy, behavioral changeis the first and very important step. The counselor needs to point out the reasons, circumstances, and environment that promote smoking, and the reasons for stopping smoking. It is also necessary to reinforce the reasons and determination to quit smoking, at least to change smoking into another action that is more beneficial to health.

2. Use nicotine replacement products:Recommended for severe physical dependence. Nicotine replacement can be provided in various forms such as: chewable tablets, sublingual tablets, inhaled nicotine (electronic cigarettes) and most commonly as skin patches. Depending on the individual and the level of addiction, the duration of nicotine replacement usually lasts 1-2 months, in some cases up to half a year.

3. Treatment with bupropion and varenicline:Also recommended for severe physical dependence. Buprofen and varenicline act on the nervous system to reduce the desire to smoke in smokers.

The most effective way to quit smoking is naturally. Photo: Internet

1. Smokers visiting a relative with a respiratory illness, especially chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or end-stage lung cancer.

2. Smokers themselves suffer from illnesses, not necessarily lung diseases, and must be hospitalized for chest-tearing pain, requiring emergency intervention and spending hundreds of millions of dong….

3. Smokers are criticized by their wives and children, especially their girlfriends, for having bad breath and unpleasant odors.

4. Smokers working in an environment with absorbing work, having to rush into solving problems or in a smoke-free environment….

In short:Whether or not you succeed in quitting smoking depends first of all on your determination. There have been many people who were seriously addicted but have successfully quit.

Thanh Chung