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No, I'm Not Ready to Quit.
Even if you are not ready to give up cigarettes, you might like to think about why you do smoke and what lies ahead. Why Should I Quit?“It’s too hard to quit. I don’t have the willpower.” Quitting and staying away from cigarettes is hard, but it’s not impossible. One-half of all people who have ever smoked have now quit. In fact, almost a quarter of adults in the U.S. are former smokers—that makes 46 million people who have quit successfully. “I’ve tried to quit too many times. Why should it be different now?” Most people make repeated attempts to quit before they are successful. In fact, the people who make repeated attempts to quit are the ones who eventually stop and quit permanently. “Smoking allows me to be more effective in my work.” Trouble concentrating can be a short-term symptom of quitting, but smoking actually prevents your brain from getting all of the oxygen it needs. “I’ve been smoking for years. The damage has been done. It’s too late.” It’s never too late to quit smoking. Read more about your body's ability to heal below. It’s time to take the facts to heart, and when you decide to break away from the pack, tell a friend, a family member and your primary care doctor. Together, they can help you take the next step. Why Do I Smoke?Thinking about how you use cigarettes or tobacco helps you to note patterns and understand the role addiction plays in your daily life. Check off those reasons that sound familiar:
Am I Addicted?If you smoke in the first 10 minutes after you wake up every day or have felt withdrawal symptoms or cravings when you went too long without a smoke, you are addicted to nicotine. Within 5 seconds of inhaling, nicotine travels directly to your brain. It tells your brain to release chemicals that make you want to smoke more. In fact, nicotine can be as addictive as heroin or cocaine. The edgy, hungry, more tired and short-tempered feelings you have when you stop smoking, even temporarily, are the first symptoms of recovery. These unpleasant effects are the result of your body clearing itself of nicotine. They do not last. In fact, a single withdrawal symptom never lasts longer than 20 minutes, and--when you quit--most nicotine is gone from your body in two to three days. You might be surprised to learn how quickly your body begins to heal after you quit smoking. The first day
The first week
The first year
5 years later
10 years later
Last Updated March 8, 2005 |
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