Tobacco: The longer you smoke, the harder it is to quit

' Addictive nicotine is like heroin or cocaine ' . According to a study by Boston University, the United States for every 10 smokers, there are 6-9 people relapse. There are many ways to quit, from candy, acupuncture to laser, but still not enough for people who are addicted to smoking.

'Quitting smoking is not easy, but not impossible. To have a chance to quit successfully, you need to know what you are dealing with, what measures should be taken and where to get help. '

Nicotine: Addictive like heroin

A recent report from the American Cancer Society states that 'nicotine is as addictive as heroin or cocaine.'

Biologically, nicotine, a powerful addictive substance found in cigarettes, is the root of drug addiction and the cause of the symptoms that people are undergoing, such as: irritability, restlessness, heat Bouncing, anxiety, depression, insomnia, confusion, appetite and cravings are irresistible.

Therefore, successful withdrawal is not as easy as taking things in a bag but often going through a process - the process is fast or slow depending on the method of quitting and determination of each person.

Psychologically, there are many reasons for you to look for cigarettes. You may have smoked as a way to deal with conditions like stress, depression, grief, frustration, inhibition or anxiety that you have been experiencing in your life.

When your friends, relatives and colleagues are smokers, you will gradually get used to that environment, and it will also become a part . not unfamiliar in everyday life.

Quit smoking: "Easy . I've already dropped thousands of times"

The effects of smoking have been scientifically proven: Smoking will increase the risk of lung, bladder, prostate, mouth, esophageal, and some other cancers, including leukemia;fertility decline;risk of osteoporosis;reduced memory and intellectual capacity;reducing folic acid levels in the blood, thereby increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease, depression and dementia;sexual impairment in men;weakens the function of the sense of smell and taste.

If a mother smokes during pregnancy, she will increase the risk of obesity and diabetes in her children when they grow up.In addition, it leads to premature births and low body weight.

An anecdote says, the great writer Mark Twain once said happily: 'Quitting smoking is easy. I used to give up thousands of times. ' In fact, Surgeon General, a leading US medical education organization, also commented: 'Quitting smoking is not easy .'

Why is it difficult to quit smoking for many people? The answer is: ' For nicotine '.

As mentioned above, over time, smokers will become dependent on nicotine both physiologically and psychologically. As you continue to smoke, your body is increasingly dependent on nicotine.

According to the Utah Tobacco Control and Prevention Program, people who quit smoking may be relapse for many different reasons. Most people who quit smoking experience 2-5 times of taking new drugs to actually quit smoking for a long time or permanently.

The School of Dentistry at Boston University, USA has conducted a study on relapse for 483 men. The results showed that the relapse rate among those who quit smoking in the first year was very high, up to 60-90%.

However, female researcher Dr. Elizabeth A. Krall, who led the study, said that those who have quit smoking for two years can continue to maintain smoking more easily than the first year, with relapse rates. reduced to only 19%.

Detox therapy

To support drug addicts who can successfully quit smoking, medical experts have studied and given the following main therapies:

Nicotine replacement therapy: Nicotine replacement therapy helps the smoker to gradually reduce nicotine dependence in order to eventually quit smoking.

In the immediate future, this therapy aims to bring nicotine into the drug addict's body. Over time, smokers must gradually reduce the use of this therapy until they can completely stop putting nicotine into the body. When no longer dependent on nicotine, the need to smoke will no longer exist.

This therapy is applied through the following products:

- Nicotine patches : are thin pieces similar to medical bandages. In the middle of this patch contains nicotine. Users simply remove the back of the patch and apply it to a clean, dry area of ​​the body. When replacing stickers, do not place new stickers in the same place with the old patch. The product must be used in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.

Nicotine patch helps to quit smoking (Photo: Lifespan.org)

- Nicotine gum : Nicotine gum is used independently or simultaneously with the aforementioned nicotine patch. When it comes to cravings, people chew this candy according to the manufacturer's instructions for use. Chewing time is 30 minutes. Do not swallow candy. Candies have many flavors for users to choose.

- Nicotine lozenges : These are lozenges, having 2 types: 2 mg and 4 mg. The drug addict puts the medicine in his mouth until completely dissolved. Every few minutes, transfer the candy from one side of the mouth to the other. Need to use according to manufacturer's instructions.

- Laser therapy : Considered one of the effective measures to help addicts quit smoking. In this way, the laser technician will project a ' cold ' laser to the locations designated by the doctor on the body of the addict. Such laser projection will help the body produce natural chemicals called endorphin. This substance helps relax the body, reduces the ' hunger ' of nicotine and repels unpleasant symptoms arising during the withdrawal process.

According to experts, this therapy does not cause side effects, as long as it is done by a skilled technician.

- Acupuncture therapy : This is a method of detoxification without taking any drugs or chemicals. Therapy is done by applying acupuncture needles to a number of acupuncture points on the body to reduce cravings and to prevent fatigue, irritability, irritability, and anxiety. often found in addicts who are in the process of quitting.

However, the fact that this therapy is not as effective as expected. In some people, nicotine dependence is significantly reduced, but overall, the rate of successful quitting is still not very high.

Vietnam and smoking smoke

In Vietnam, the National Health Survey in 2001-2002 represented samples in 61 provinces and cities nationwide, indicating that tobacco use in Vietnam remains high among adult men (56.1% ).The age of starting smoking is mostly 18-20 years old.The rate of smoking among teenagers and teenagers still accounts for a high proportion of 31.6% in the age group from 15 to 24 years.

In the professions, driving, construction, service and workers have the highest rates of smoking and tobacco. Smoking accounts for a high proportion of poor households and low-income people (71.6%). The proportion of children under 5 who live in households with smokers accounting for 71.1% is affected by passive smoking is a worrying situation. Women with smoking rates are not high (1.8%) but still need to be concerned.

It is estimated that with the current smoking rate, by 2010, Vietnam will have about 10% of the population, ie about 8 million people die from tobacco-related diseases.

Source: National Tobacco Control Program