I’ve tried numerous times to stop smoking, but with little success. Do you have any tips or advice that may be able to help me resist the cravings?
Cigarettes contain nicotine, a highly addictive substance. Nicotine alters the balance of chemicals in the brain which directly affects the smoker’s mood and concentration. Even though many smokers are determined to stop, they often find their addiction to nicotine too much of an obstacle. Quitting smoking can be one of the most difficult challenges a person can do in their lifetime.
At HMC’s Smoking Cessation Clinic we offer support and advice to smokers on how to quit, as well as counseling and medication to help combat the cravings. Some of the smokers who come to us have tried, unsuccessfully, to quit smoking numerous times, while some are first time quitters. The standard advice that we offer to all smokers includes the following tips:
• Set a date to quit. Identify a particular date in the near future that will be the day that you stop smoking, and stick to it.
• Begin regular physical activity. When first quitting smoking you may feel tense and irritable due to the cravings. Exercise can be a great way to release this physical tension and give you something to focus on, apart from smoking.
• Drink lots of water. Drinking sufficient amounts of water – at least two liters a day – plays a vital role in helping smokers quit. Water cleanses the body of toxins, while drinking a glass of water can be a useful distraction technique when the urge to smoke arises.
• Avoid being around other smokers. When trying to quit smoking it is important to avoid putting yourself in locations where smoking is prevalent. If other smokers are out of sight there will be less temptation.
• Tell friends and family you are quitting. It is important that you inform those people closest to you – friends and family – that you are attempting to quit smoking. They can then support you and help you to work through your cravings.
Contributed by Hamad Medical Corporation
