There is no question that cigarette smoke is detrimental to your health. Cigarette smoke contains 69 carcinogenic chemicals and is a factor in at least 30 percent of all cancer deaths. In fact, heavy smokers’ death rates from cancer are four times that of nonsmokers.
The most common of smoking-related cancers is lung cancer, but it has also been associated with a number of other types of cancer, such as throat, mouth, stomach, pancreas, esophagus, cervix, bladder, kidney and more.
If you smoke, you’re also at much greater risk of chronic bronchitis, aneurysm, vascular disease, emphysema and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart attack, type II diabetes, stroke and autoimmune diseases.
Golden Peak Recovery can help you end your addiction to nicotine and greatly improve your life expectancy.
Nicotine is both physically addictive and is capable of causing extremely difficult withdrawal symptoms. It’s also psychologically addictive. People often vape or smoke to deal with stress, frustration or sadness. Also, social activities can involve vaping or smoking, which can make quitting even more challenging.
If you smoke, you likely started young. In 2014, a Surgeon General’s Report suggested that 99% of adult smokers started smoking before age 18, and nearly all were smokers by the age of 26. While most people know that smoking causes cancer and other illnesses, the tobacco industry remains undeterred — continuing to target young people with cigarettes and other tobacco products, making them look safe and appealing.
What about vaping? The rates of smoking among young people had been on the decline, so the tobacco industry developed a new way of marketing to a new generation: e-cigarettes and vaping devices. The vapor-based devices do provide a safer alternative to smoking. However, they succeed in getting users hooked on nicotine very young. The majority of young people who vape begin smoking within a year’s time, ensuring they’ll remain a nicotine addict (and loyal tobacco customer).
Without medical management, withdrawal symptoms can include: restlessness or boredom, trouble sleeping, headaches, dizziness, dry mouth, weight gain, sore throat, difficulty concentrating, cough, constipation, gas, anxiety, frustration, chest tightness, impatience, anger, increased appetite, slower heart rate, nightmares, tiredness, irritability and depression.Withdrawal from nicotine starts soon after your last use, and can be quite difficult.
Nicotine is tough to beat, but we’ll give you the tools to succeed. Research shows the best way to quit is through a two-pronged approach: behavioral therapy and smoking cessation medications.
Evidence-based therapeutic treatments in drug rehabilitation, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and motivational interviewing provide support and motivation while helping you deal with the challenges of ending your addiction. Also, there’s nothing wrong with getting help through medications to manage the tough withdrawal symptoms. Nicotine replacement therapies like the patch or gum gradually reduce your nicotine dosage over time. Also, medications like bupropion and varenicline work on the brain to limit cravings.
At Golden Peak Recovery, we understand how difficult it is to move on from nicotine addiction. But we’ve helped many people do it — and we can help you, too. When you’re ready, we’re ready. Let’s do this.