By incorporating a few activities into their lifestyle and taking the right steps, individuals can break the habit of addiction. Read below!
Addiction to tobacco and smoking is a major health concern with hazardous consequences, including diseases like cancer. Breaking these habits is a tough and daunting job to do, especially for those who have been in the habit for years, but it is not an impossible task to work through. If an individual incorporates a few activities in their lifestyle and takes proper steps, they can break this habit of addiction.
According to Dr. Sushrut Pownikar Head- Quality Assurance & Deputy Director- Oncquest Laboratories Ltd, “Addiction to smoking and tobacco are two of the most harmful of all known. There are about 7,000 chemicals in tobacco, out of which at least 250 are toxic and cause cancer. Nearly 1.35 million die every year because of tobacco. Similarly, smoking can increase the chances of heart disease and affects brain functioning, leading to cravings and dependency on it.”An individual can overcome tobacco and alcohol addiction by following the suggestions shared below.
Strategies to Quit Smoking And Tobacco For a Cancer-Free Life
- Look for healthier options: Individuals can overcome the addiction by looking for a healthier option and replacing them with the same. Individuals consume them to escape from stress and feel pleasant. Instead, they can replace it with exercise, practicing their favorite hobbies, or simply just opt for walking. This will help distract your brain and make you feel better and stress-free.
- Avoid having ‘Just one’: There are times when an individual wants to quit their addiction but ends up having “just one” as they think it won’t affect them. You might think one will satisfy your craving, but your addiction won’t let you stop there. Having one often results in having more, and you might relapse.
- Cut a bit from daily consumption: In the early days of overcoming addiction, it is tough to cut it off completely. Therefore, you can cut a part of your daily consumption every day. This will start balancing your addiction with health and ultimately result in recovery from your addiction.
- Avoid your triggers: Triggers are yet another cause of increasing addiction, including your stress and the places where you have chewed or alcohol most often as well. Try to avoid going to such places or falling into so much stress. Figure out your triggers and create a strategy to either avoid or deal with them. Avoid creating the conditions for a smoking/drinking relapse. For example, if you drink while sitting alone, start journaling to avoid drinking.
- Diagnosing repercussions of addiction: Most addicts make at least one serious attempt to stop but end up failing. To treat the addiction and its ill effects on one’s health, it is important to have a thorough diagnosis to avoid serious repercussions. For tobacco addiction, opting for a nicotine replacement theory can be one of the steps because they contain varying amount of nicotine that can be monitored. Similarly, a proper diagnosis is crucial in treating alcohol use disorder, ensuring effective treatment by differentiating between symptoms caused by alcohol and independent mental illnesses like depression. Consulting a doctor will help you find the right treatment plan for you.