Cigarette & smoking substitutes
Many people take the first step to stopping smoking by trying a number of commonly available substitutes.
Nicotine gum
Inhilators
Patches
Electronic cigarettes.
Studies have shown that these type of therapies have a success rates of between 5% - 15%, these products are generally marketed well by large pharmaceutical companies, who have more concern with their profit margins than your health.
By putting a niotine patch on your arm, gum or placing an inhilator / electronic cigarette in your mouth, highlights your memory towards smoking, serving as a continual reminder. Putting you mentally in a state of being deprived - which is not a good start. There are two main aspects with addiction - the physical & the mental.
By using any form of substitute, you are still putting nicotine in your body. The nature of nicotine is that of a highly addictive drug - as addictive as Heroin FACT. It takes only one cigarette to get hooked, though the effects are initially so subtle, most simply do not realise that they are.
The nature of the addiction to nicotine is that your body will continually require more of the drug over time - which is why over a period of time a person's cigarette consumption increases. This is why trying to reduce consumption of cigarettes (cutting down) or using a similar replacment therapy as mentioned above, in the majority of cases does not work - the body continually craves more nicotine - not less.
If you forget your gum or patch, what do you do? Panic - most go back to having a cigarette. This is quite common on those that have used patches.
When using an inhilator or electronic cigarette you are continually being reminded that there used to be a cigarette in you mouth, which again leads to thoughts that you are being deprived of your 'crutch' and again in most instances leads back to smoking.
There are no substitutes
Its really quite simple, instead of focussing what you will be missing, focus on what you will be gaining.
The simple fact is you are losing nothing and gaining everything.
Understanding and accepting this fact is the first step you will need to take to stop smoking.
You will sleep better
Less stress & anxiety - smoking causes this, not reduces it!
Smell & taste improves
Complexion & skin improves
Teeth whiten
Higher levels of energy & sexual function
Improved breathing & reduce risk of cancer / heart disease / circulation problems / stroke & many other health issues.
No smell on hair & clothes
More money in your pocket
Within a short period of time the nicotine leaves your body and physical improvements can start to be felt.