In recent years, e-cigarettes have been falsely marketed by many companies as a safe, new alternative to traditional cigarettes. It became the cool thing to do in school hallways and locker rooms. Misinformation regarding these products led to severe nicotine addiction for many people, especially younger individuals who were never even smokers before. It wasn’t until years after the height of the popularity of these products that studies and news stories began to come out regarding the dangers of these products and their capability of causing lasting health complications. Many people who are currently using e-cigarettes want to quit but don’t know how. The good news is that recovery is possible, no matter how much you may be struggling.
What Are the Dangers of Vaping?
Many people view vaping addiction as not a serious issue because it’s just nicotine. In reality, this addiction is just as serious as many other addictions. It can be just as difficult for one individual to give up vaping as it is for another to stop drinking alcohol. Thus, this issue should be taken seriously. Vaping can lead to a variety of heart and lung problems. This is because nicotine is a toxic substance. As the body tries to process it, adrenaline levels spike, and a person’s heart rate and blood pressure will rise as a result. This can make a person more likely to experience a heart attack.
Researchers are still learning how the toxic substance inhaled into the body through vaping will affect the lungs in the long term. However, vaping is believed to make a person more at risk for problems like chronic lung disease, asthma, and cardiovascular disease.
Vaping has also been linked to decreased immune function. This means that someone who vapes could be at greater risk of developing not only the common cold but more severe illnesses such as COVID-19. As the pandemic continues to affect people worldwide, there has never been a more critical time to give up vaping.
How Do I Prepare to Quit Vaping?
Many people try to quit vaping by using nicotine gum or patches. In reality, this can just extend someone’s addiction even longer. Others will try to taper off their use by slowly decreasing how much they vape a day. However, it is best to quit nicotine altogether. In preparation for quitting, you will want to get rid of all e-cigarettes, cartridges, and pods that you may have in your home, purse, or car. Be careful to get rid of everything. You don’t want to stumble upon one of these products weeks into quitting, only to face temptation again.
You’ll also want to stock up on plenty of gums and mints. This can help reduce cravings and keep your mouth busy so that you’re not thinking about vaping.
What Can I Expect From the Quitting Process?
If you’ve been vaping for an extended period of time, you can expect to experience some withdrawal side effects when you quit. Some of these common side effects include:
- Irritability
- Anxiety
- Anger
- Mood swings
- Trouble concentrating
- Restlessness
- Decreased levels of patience
- Depression
- Changes in appetite
Don’t let these side effects daunt you because they don’t last long. They are typically the worst three days into quitting and are the most noticeable the first week. They will soon fade away, and you won’t find yourself thinking about vaping anymore.
How Can I Handle the Withdrawal Symptoms?
The best way to handle withdrawal symptoms is by keeping yourself constantly distracted. Surround yourself with family and friends, but make them aware you may be a little more irritable than usual. By keeping yourself surrounded by other people, you will not be alone with your thoughts and cravings. Plus, they can help keep you accountable and can help talk you through how you’re feeling.
Exercise is another great way to combat cravings. It can raise your endorphins and help you to feel better mentally and physically. Go for a job around the neighborhood, take the dog for a walk, go on a bike ride, take a pilates class, or do whatever form of exercise you most enjoy. Even a short walk can be enough to help you begin to feel a lot better.
It can help if you track your progress along the way. Come up with a chart, and make a check mark every day you get through without vaping. After a while, your streak will be so long that you won’t want to break it and lose all of your progress.
Many specialists have claimed that nicotine vaping has become an epidemic throughout our nation, especially among the young and vulnerable. Many people falsely believe that e-cigarettes are a safe alternative to traditional cigarettes. However, in reality, they are highly addictive and can cause lasting health problems. To quit vaping, you’ll want to get rid of any and all e-cigarette products so that you don’t get tempted to use them later on. Keep yourself as busy as possible doing what you love, and surround yourself with friends and family. Chewing gum and getting plenty of exercise can help you deal with cravings or withdrawal side effects that you may encounter. Remember that the side effects of nicotine withdrawal won’t last forever. If you or someone you know are struggling with a substance use disorder, our team at The Ho Tai Way can help. Call (714) 581-3974 today to learn more.
