Smoking Addiction

Smoking is a terrible nicotine addiction and it has been proven that it can be more addictive than heroin. Overcoming a Smoking Addiction takes patience and perseverance. Many smokers have tried several times to stop smoking before they were successful.

For over 10 years, I worked in the health care profession and I seen the debilitating affects smoking can have on your lungs, body function and respiratory system. I have seen patients barely able to take there next breath but wanting to be wheeled down to the smoking lounge so they can keep smoking. Most of these patients were on portable oxygen concentrators full time and half of them were placed on ventilators to assist them with breathing at one point or another in there life.

When I first started in the health care profession, I used to get on my soap box and explain to each patient about the terrible side effects of smoking. I would go into details about what happens to their lungs, immune system, arteries and how the blood supply becomes depleted in their extremities. Did you ever know or realize why a smoker has a ruddy complexion? I can always pick out a smoker or a previous smoker in a crowd. A person who smokes depletes the oxygen in their veins and arteries and as a result, they loose the healthy glow to their face and skin. Our veins are very close to the surface of our skin and when they are well oxygenated it gives our skin its healthy glow. If a person smokes there is not a sufficient amount of oxygen at the skins surface which prevents there skin from appearing healthy.

Now that I have convinced all you smokers to quit…or have I? I eventually realized no matter how much I preached or gave my daily dissertations it was not working. Even being fresh out of college I was convinced I could save smokers years of grief if they could just follow my easy instructions on how to quit smoking cigarettes. But I was just young, ambitious and naïve. I could not empathize with my patients since I never smoked. I eventually realized this smoking addiction was bigger than me.

Smoking is Physical and Mental

Smoking is a physical addiction as well as mental. Why a person decides to quit smoking it is a very personal matter. Only the individual knows when the right time is to stop smoking. They have to weigh the benefits of smoking against the risks. Provoking and pressuring a person is not going to persuade them to quit smoking sooner. A person will only stop smoking when they have firmly placed their feet in the sand. When you make up your mind, regardless of the addiction, you will be able to fight the dragon.

Tips to Quit Smoking

· Change your daily routine

· Do an activity to reduce stress - yoga or exercise

· Sign up for college class you always wanted to take

· Take up a new hobby

· Nicotine gum - available over the counter

· Nicotine patch - available over the counter

There are also prescription pills you can obtain from a physician to assist you with the smoking addiction.

Whatever you decide to do, make a plan, stick to your plan and picture yourself overcoming the obstacle. We can never conquer our fears or addictions unless we see ourselves successful. Be a champion to inspire others by beating the addiction instead of the addiction beating you! If you would like more information about beating the smoking addiction please read, Freedom From Smoking.

Thank you for reading my hub and I wish you luck and support if your trying to kick the smoking habit.