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Why Can't I Quit Smoking?

Smoking can kill you. It causes numerous bad effects on your health that can lead to high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, respiratory problems, cancer, gum disease and diabetes complications. But, it's hard to quit, because tobacco is an addictive drug.

  1. Identification

    • Nicotine in tobacco causes changes in your brain as soon as you inhale. The feelings of pleasure you experience make you crave more, and the bad feelings when you don't smoke make it hard to quit.

    Effects

    • When you smoke, nicotine temporarily increases your heart rate, blood flow and blood pressure. Other chemicals in cigarettes, combined with nicotine, lower the amount of oxygen in your blood, narrow arteries and damage artery walls.

    Symptoms

    • When you try to quit smoking, your heart rate is lower, and you become depressed, anxious, impatient and irritated. You're restless and have a hard time concentrating. You may feel hungry all the time, and gain weight.

    Considerations

    • According to the Center for Disease Control, the Department of Health and Human Services' updated clinical practice guidelines for treating tobacco dependence states that tobacco dependence is a chronic condition that needs several interventions.

    Solution

    • Get help from family, friends, medical professionals and support groups. Keep trying if you can't quit right away. It takes more than one try for most people to quit.

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