Addiction Treatment Center in Indiana | Sunrise Recovery

A person smoking a cigarette

What Are The Reasons People Smoke?

For those who don’t smoke or use tobacco, it can be hard to understand why someone would start and not stop. However, answering the question “why do people smoke?” is more complex than it may seem. Several factors like curiosity, peer pressure, or other reasons can lead someone to try cigarettes or tobacco for the first time. Unfortunately, even trying it once can result in chronic use and make quitting extremely difficult.
Understanding why people smoke and why quitting is challenging can offer valuable insights into your own or a loved one’s situation. Learning about these underlying issues can also assist in finding ways to quit.

Why Do People Smoke?

This question is difficult to answer because it varies from person to person. However, some common patterns emerge. Many chronic smokers start during their teenage years, often influenced by peers or family members who smoke. Some may try it initially out of curiosity or because they think it’s “cool,” but casual use can quickly spiral into addiction.
Additionally, the tobacco industry invests millions in marketing to influence society. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cigarette and smokeless tobacco companies spent around $26 million per day on advertising in the United States in 2016.
Unfortunately, much of this advertising targets younger audiences. For example, the three most heavily advertised cigarette brands — Marlboro, Newport, and Camel — were also the most preferred brands among middle and high school students in 2016.
This creates a damaging cycle for tobacco users.
Tobacco companies pour millions into marketing, young people are exposed to these ads and try the products, addiction takes hold due to nicotine and other chemicals, and the companies continue targeting them, perpetuating a cycle of dependence.

Why Is It Difficult to Quit?

Many people who use cigarettes or other forms of tobacco continue doing so and find it challenging to quit because they have developed an addiction to the substance. Nicotine, a chemical present in tobacco, is generally recognized as the main factor responsible for this addiction. According to the American Cancer Society, nicotine is believed to be as addictive as heroin or cocaine.

Nicotine

The primary reason quitting cigarette smoking or using smokeless tobacco is so difficult is due to nicotine’s presence. When consumed, nicotine and other chemicals are absorbed into the bloodstream through the lungs and rapidly spread throughout the body.
In small doses, nicotine can create feelings of pleasure and euphoria, helping users temporarily escape from stress or negative emotions. Similar to other addictive substances, nicotine stimulates the brain’s reward system by releasing dopamine, which produces a sense of euphoria and a mild adrenaline rush.
Nicotine reaches the brain in seconds, but its effects wear off after just a few minutes. As a result, users often become irritable and restless as withdrawal symptoms begin. To relieve these uncomfortable feelings, they will use tobacco again, perpetuating the cycle.
As with other addictive substances, the body builds a tolerance to nicotine, causing smokers to increase their consumption in order to achieve the same effects. This raises the level of nicotine in the bloodstream. Over time, smokers become physically and psychologically dependent on the drug, and stopping leads to withdrawal symptoms, such as anxiety, nervousness, and headaches, making it increasingly difficult to quit.

Strategies for Quitting Smoking

Nicotine and tobacco are highly addictive substances, making it particularly tough to quit. Approximately two-thirds of smokers express a desire to stop, and about half attempt to quit, but few succeed without assistance. Studies have shown that while 18 percent of those attempting to quit alcohol are successful, and 40% of those quitting opioids or cocaine succeed, only 8 percent of smokers manage to quit.
Although there is no “one-size-fits-all” or guaranteed method for quitting smoking or tobacco use, various approaches can help individuals break their addiction. Adopting a comprehensive strategy for quitting may increase the chances of successfully overcoming the habit.

Nicotine Alternatives

Although many people know about nicotine patches and gum, they may not fully understand how effective these short-term nicotine replacement options can be. These methods can help reduce the intense cravings that often arise when you first stop using tobacco.

Weigh the Benefits

There are numerous physical, emotional, and mental benefits to quitting smoking and tobacco use. One of the key advantages is improved heart health. Quitting significantly lowers the risk of heart attacks and heart disease by reducing your heart rate and blood pressure almost immediately. It also helps prevent further lung damage and drastically cuts your risk of cancer. Quitting smoking as soon as possible is one of the most effective ways to reduce your risk of cancer.

Create a Plan to Quit

It’s easy to postpone quitting with excuses like “I’ll stop later” or “I’ll quit next week,” but setting a concrete plan and a specific quit date can give you the motivation to make a lasting change. By choosing a quit date and preparing for it a few days or a week in advance, you can better equip yourself for success. Getting family and friends involved in the process will provide support and help keep you accountable during your journey to quit.

Keep Yourself Occupied

One of the biggest challenges after quitting cigarettes or tobacco is dealing with the cravings and urges to use. However, by keeping yourself busy and engaging in different activities, you can reduce these thoughts and temptations. For example, focusing on exercise, like jogging or weightlifting, can be very effective in curbing cravings.
Exercise triggers a boost in the body’s reward system, so using it as a positive outlet can help replace the urge to return to tobacco. Additionally, simple daily activities, like chewing gum, drinking water, practicing deep breathing, and more, can help keep your body occupied and provide a physical distraction.
Moving Forward

Moving Forward

Asking yourself “Why do people smoke?” and “Why is quitting so difficult?” are important steps toward understanding how to quit tobacco use. However, the issue may extend beyond just tobacco. If you or someone you care about is also struggling with alcohol or drug abuse, please reach out to Sunrise Recovery. Sunrise Recovery is a drug and alcohol rehab center in Indiana that provides the resources and support needed for lasting sobriety.

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