Study: More Hardcore Smokers Trying to Quit

A new study found that more “hardcore” smokers than ever are trying to quit. For the study, roughly 120,000 smokers were asked about their daily cigarette habit and attempts to quit smoking over the past 12 months. The survey also included the participants’ mental state. The researchers divided the smokers into three groups based on their mental distress: no distress, moderate distress and serious psychological distress. Those with the highest levels of distress had the most attempts to quit smoking.

“We should be encouraging our mental health providers to treat tobacco dependence along with other problems,” said senior study author Stanton Glantz, director of the tobacco control center at UCSF, in a statement. “Contrary to popular belief, treating nicotine addiction does not complicate the treatment of other substance abuse or mental health issues, and in fact has been shown to improve outcomes among people in substance abuse treatment and recovery.”

Staying Busy to Stay Nicotine Free
A powerful and inexpensive way to manage nicotine cravings and stick to a stop-smoking plan is to stay busy, says Smokefree.gov. This is partly because nicotine cravings typically last 5 to 10 minutes, so finding a healthy distraction can help you wait it out. Here are some ideas from Smokefree.gov that can do double-duty for your smoking cessation and long-term recovery from substance use disorder:

• Keep your mouth busy. Chew a stick of sugar-free gum or drink water.
• Switch your focus. When a craving hits, stop what you’re doing and focus on something different. Changing your routine can help you fend off a craving.
• Head outside for a walk or jog. Or take a few trips up and down your stairs. Even short burst of physical activity can help boost your energy and beat a craving.
• Take slow, deep breaths. Try it: Inhale through your nose and exhale through your mouth. Repeat this 10 times or until the craving subsides.

Learning Healthy Habits at Seabrook
We offer our clients a variety of wellness programs, including sleep hygiene and stress management, along with our traditional addiction treatment. To learn more, call today: (888) 223-0298.