How Does Cigarette Addiction Work?
Hooked on tobacco? Like you, many smokers find it difficult to part with their cigarettes. But what causes this irresistible urge to smoke? Why do cigarettes become so indispensable in our daily lives? And how can one get rid of smoking for good? Reset Laser explains everything about the functioning of tobacco addiction and the methods to adopt to finally be free from it.
What Are the Signs of Cigarette Addiction?
Cigarette addiction manifests through various physical and psychological signs. It is determined by several criteria.
An Irresistible Craving for Cigarettes
The dependent person feels the constant and frequent need to smoke. This urge is even stronger in certain specific situations, such as after a meal or during social gatherings. This need is so significant that it must be satisfied for smokers to feel good.
The Appearance of Withdrawal Symptoms
When smokers try to reduce or quit smoking, they experience unpleasant symptoms such as stress, irritability, sleep disturbances, etc. These negative effects are a sign of nicotine dependence.
Smoking Despite Knowing the Risks
Due to the substances they contain, cigarettes pose a significant danger to the smoker’s health: increased risk of cancer, lung and heart diseases, etc. This addiction also presents a risk to those around them due to passive smoking. However, even being aware of the dangers, the person continues to smoke because they cannot control their cigarette consumption.
Unsuccessful Attempts to Quit
Generally, a person addicted to cigarettes is unable to reduce their consumption or quit smoking without concrete help. The smoker will often have tried to quit several times, without success, despite their best intentions.
What Are the Different Tobacco Addictions?
Smoking manifests through three different dependencies on tobacco.
Physical Dependence on Nicotine
The main culprit of physical addiction? Nicotine! This product contained in tobacco stimulates the production of dopamine in the brain. Indeed, when the smoker smokes a cigarette, the consumed nicotine binds to the nicotinic receptors present in the brain. This mechanism releases dopamine in the body and causes a sensation of pleasure and reward. From then on, the cigarette is associated with something positive!
Over time, the brain gets used to these dopamine spikes. However, when the dopamine level decreases, the urge to smoke returns and cravings set in. Physical withdrawal symptoms appear. This feeling of craving and the symptoms drive smokers to resume their consumption to regain that pleasant sensation. The vicious cycle sets in!
Psychological Dependence on Tobacco
The psychological dependence on tobacco develops when smoking becomes a way to manage various emotions such as stress and anxiety. Cigarettes are indeed a form of comfort for many smokers during difficult times. It becomes an almost automatic response to certain situations.
Psychological dependence is often more challenging to overcome than physical addiction. Every time the smoker finds themselves in a triggering situation, like a conflict or a stressful day, the urge to smoke tobacco is reignited. The problem? These triggers are difficult to identify and, above all, to avoid…
Behavioral Dependence on Tobacco
Behavioral dependence manifests through habits and rituals deeply ingrained in daily life. The smoker associates the cigarette with activities or moments of the day: after a meal, during a coffee, during a work break, etc. These behaviors are automatic.
Sometimes, smoking a cigarette is even part of the experience, like during a social gathering with friends. Therefore, placing oneself in certain situations can be risky if you wish to quit smoking.
How to Overcome Smoking?
Change Your Habits
Change your habits and the routines associated with tobacco. For example, if you are used to smoking after a coffee, try replacing that moment with another activity, such as a short walk. Identify the triggers of your nicotine cravings and find healthy alternatives to replace them. Changing your routine helps break the association between the cigarette and certain moments or activities of the day.
Adopt a Healthy Lifestyle
Adopting a healthier lifestyle helps you quit tobacco and improve your overall health. For example, exercise is a great way to reduce stress related to tobacco withdrawal. A balanced diet also helps reduce withdrawal effects and prevents weight gain. You feel better in your body and therefore also in your mind!
Use a Tobacco Withdrawal Method
Tobacco withdrawal methods, such as nicotine substitutes (patches, gums, lozenges) or anti-smoking medications prescribed by a doctor, can be useful to reduce the negative effects of tobacco withdrawal. These products provide a controlled dose of nicotine, without the other harmful substances present in cigarettes.
Prefer to avoid medicinal products and nicotine substitutes? There are natural and effective withdrawal methods such as Reset Laser’s auriculotherapy. This method targets specific points on the ear to eliminate the physical dependence on nicotine in a single one-hour session. Plus, there is no risk to your health!
Make an Appointment at a Reset Laser Anti-Smoking Center
Want to get rid of your nicotine addiction? Don’t risk a relapse. Make an appointment at one of our anti-smoking centers worldwide! Reset Laser is present in several countries such as France, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Morocco. Take advantage of our Reset Laser withdrawal method and say goodbye to tobacco for good!
Why Choose RESET Laser Institute
The best method to quit smoking
Specialist
Our therapists are all addiction experts and specialists in laser auriculotherapy cessation.
Effectiveness
Our success rate after one session is over 86%.
Painless
Non-invasive and painless, our therapy is accessible to everyone.
No Stress
You free yourself from addictions and quit smoking without weight gain, stress, or compensation.
Personalized Support
Since each patient is different, we offer personalized support after the session.
1-Year Guarantee
We guarantee our therapy for 1 year in case of relapse.
