Does Nicotine Addiction Run Your Life?

Addiction to nicotine products like cigarettes, cigars, or chewing tobacco can quickly take hold of your life. Because most smokers remain, for the most part, fully functional and contributing members of society, nicotine addiction often has less of a stigma associated with it, especially compared to addictions to such substances as cocaine or heroin, for example.

Despite this, however, nicotine addiction is often harder to overcome, according to the American Heart Association (Learn more about Tobacco). And, even if it does not always show the same devastating and immediate effects as do other addictions, it can still become negative and invasive in noticeable ways. If you are concerned about your use of tobacco products, you should ask yourself the following questions.

• Has my health (or the health of those around me) been affected? Medical evidence has demonstrated a pretty clear path from frequent, long-term smoking to lung cancer. According to the National Cancer Institute, 87% of lung cancer is a result of smoking. Use of tobacco products can also lead to cancers of the larynx, esophagus, bladder, and oral cavity. It can also cause bad breath, gum disease, dirty-looking teeth, and tooth decay. Furthermore, second-hand smoke may be affecting the health of your family members.
• Has my career or job performance suffered? If your need to take breaks to smoke has started to take priority over other aspects of your work, your boss may have noticed. Depending on the state you live in, smokers may have limited ability to contest employment-related decisions that result from their behavior as a result of smoking habits. Many employers attempt to create a smoke-free workplace for the other employees, and legislation is increasingly in favor of protecting the rights of non-smokers from being in the presence of secondhand smoke. Additionally, some employers may also have policies about smoking and health insurance coverage, since they are usually paying the premium.
• Have my finances suffered? Depending on how much you smoke, quitting could save you thousands of dollars a year. Especially in a tough economy, tobacco addiction could be putting strain on your family’s financial status. Putting the same money toward getting help with your addiction might be a better long-term investment.
• Has my relationship with others been affected? For decades, smoking was an incredibly social activity. But, recently, many states have banned smoking in public places. If you have found yourself choosing to avoid social situations because you would not be able to light up, your addiction may be making you miss out on important life events. Additionally, your relationship with friends and family may be strained if your decisions are affecting their physical well-being or financial security; they may also feel distressed and frustrated because they are worried about your health.
• Am I using past, failed attempts to quit as an excuse? Relapse rates for smokers are pretty high. If you have been justifying your continued smoking habits by how difficult it is to quit, you may be doing yourself a disservice. You may be more psychologically attached to how nicotine helps you with stress or body imagine than you completely realize. This time, try getting professional help and enlist the assistance of others to keep you accountable.