Myths vs. Facts of Recovery From Nicotine Addiction

Myths vs. Facts of Recovery From Nicotine Addiction Addiction Nicotine Use How to Quit Smoking Print Myths vs. Facts of Recovery From Nicotine Addiction By Terry Martin facebook twitter Terry Martin quit smoking after 26 years and is now an advocate for those seeking freedom from nicotine addiction. Learn about our editorial policy Terry Martin Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Sanja Jelic, MD on January 21, 2020 Sanja Jelic, MD, is board-certified in sleep medicine, critical care medicine, pulmonary disease, and internal medicine.   Learn about our Medical Review Board Sanja Jelic, MD on January 21, 2020 JGI/Jamie Grill / Getty Images More in Addiction Nicotine Use How to Quit Smoking After You Quit Nicotine Withdrawal Smoking-Related Diseases The Inside of Cigarettes Alcohol Use Addictive Behaviors Drug Use Coping and Recovery If youre like many people, youve had cigarette quit attempts that you thought of as an event, a task that could be completed within a few weeks, or a month at most. Then, when the urge to smoke persisted beyond what you felt was reasonable, you despaired of ever feeling comfortable without cigarettes  and started smoking again. The fact is that quitting smoking is a process, not an event.  While the worst of nicotine withdrawal is over within a matter of weeks, release from the habitual/emotional side of smoking comes more slowly. Here are some common misconceptions about quitting tobacco that can hinder your chances for success. Myth: Its too Late to Quit; the Damage Is Done Fact: Its Never too Late to Quit Smoking Bluntly put, the only time its too late to quit smoking is when youre six feet under. When you stop  smoking, the benefits begin within 20 minutes of your last cigarette and continue to grow for years. The human body is incredibly resilient, and while not all smoking-related damage can be undone, much healing can and will occur. Psychologically, youll have a better outlook once youve healed from nicotine addiction. Most of us spend years tied to cigarettes. We desperately want to stop, but time goes by, making us feel weak, powerless, and beaten down. This causes a slow destruction of self-esteem, usually so gradual we dont realize whats happening. Its no wonder that so many long-term smokers suffer from anxiety and depression. Quitting tobacco will empower you much more than you can imagine. Once they grasp it, most people refuse to let go of the freedom that comes from taking back the control that addiction stole. Myth: You Can Smoke One Cigarette and Maintain Your Quit Program Fact: Theres No Such Thing as Just One For the vast majority of smokers, re-introducing nicotine after quitting leads back to full-time smoking. There is no such thing as just one cigarette for a nicotine addict. Smoking, even as little as a few puffs on a cigarette, is enough to awaken the beast within. And sadly, people who relapse often spend years trying to get a foothold with smoking cessation once again. The fact is that indulging in even just one cigarette can lead to a relapse. If you want to boot nicotine addiction out of your life for good, live the philosophy of NOPEâ€"Not One Puff Ever. How Long Can You Expect to Face Nicotine Cravings? Myth: Relapse Can Happen Without Warning Fact: Relapse Never Happens Without Warning The road to relapse always starts in our minds. Unhealthy thoughts of smoking are normal as we move through recovery from nicotine addiction, but left unchecked, they can spell trouble. It has been said that humans have upwards of 60,000 thoughts on a daily basis. Youd probably be surprised to know that much of what we tell ourselves is negative and self-defeating. Were often our own worst critics. Listen in on your thoughts  and correct those that are counterproductive immediately. Dont give them a chance to fester and gain momentum. It doesnt matter whether you believe the correctionâ€"your mind is taking note, and thats all that matters. Correcting faulty thinking will help to keep you in the drivers seat with your quit program. Myth: Youll Always Miss Smoking Fact: True Freedom Is a State of Mind We all have the ability to make changes in our thinking that will bring lasting release from nicotine addiction. People who miss smoking years later have not let go of the emotional associations they had with smoking and usually think of it in a fond, nostalgic, or romantic light. They might even tell themselves subconsciously (or consciously) that quitting was a sacrifice. They quit smoking because they had to, but they loved smoking. That kind of faulty thinking will keep the seeds of addiction alive, ready to take the root again when the opportunity presents itself. But make no mistake, it is your  thoughts that hold you prisoner, not cigarettes. Have you ever had a relationship go sour because of a change in attitude on your part? A shift occurs in your perception, and once your mind turns that corner, theres no going back. Its similar to the mental side of addiction. Once we get clear of the physical need for cigarettes, whats left is an emotional relationship with smoking, much of which is based on ritual. Changing those thoughts and habits can prevent relapse. The habit of smoking is powerful but reprogrammable. Add some education about nicotine addiction and support from people who are going through what you are to your quit program. It will make all the difference in helping you permanently free yourself from the desire to smoke. Keep yourself in the present moments of today, and be grateful for each and every smoke-free day you complete. Be patient with yourself and think of time as one of your quit buddies. The more of it you put between yourself and that last cigarette you smoked, the stronger youll become. 10 Ways to Overcome Cigarette Cravings in 5 Minutes