On the face of it, it would seem like an easy thing to stop smoking if you want. The question may be asked, if some people just stop cold turkey why can’t everyone. There is no simple answer to the question as to why some persons beat their nicotine addiction easier than others.
Scientists have found that nicotine, the drug in cigarettes, is highly addictive. Once someone gets hooked on nicotine, they become both physically and psychologically dependent on it. As with any type of addiction, learning to live without the source of addiction is hard.
Over time, when a smoker does not have nicotine, they suffer withdrawal symptoms which can be unpleasant. These include irritability, tiredness, difficulty focusing and for some people hunger. Some smokers gain weight when they quit. These feelings make the smoker think that smoking is necessary to function properly. Plus, many people especially women, use cigarettes as a means of keeping their weight in check.
Apart from the physical reasons, some people find it hard to quit because it gives them a feeling of belonging. This is especially true for teens who give in to peer pressure. For them, smoking is a way of showing maturity.
There is also an emotional side to smoking. It helps many people to relax when stress hits. Many smokers will say that smoking helps them to think clearly. When someone stops smoking they have to find new ways to deal with stress and frustration which can be hard, especially for long-term smokers.
Quitting the habit sometimes calls for repeated attempts before success is achieved. The addictive pull of nicotine and the psychological boost are hard to do without.
