Breaking a Bad Habit
English 2
16 September 2013
Breaking a Habit: the Methods of Quitting Wouldn’t using the substance that one is trying to rid from his or her life hinder the ability to do so? People are creatures of habit. They find comfort in the concepts of familiarity and routine. One of the most common bad habits and addictions among adults is smoking cigarettes. Many smokers are faced with the decision to quit and most often use one of two popular methods, quitting cold turkey or quitting with aid. Even though both are methods of achieving the same ultimate goal, they are considerably different in how the quitter experiences becoming a non smoker. Quitting cold turkey is the simplest method to quit smoking. There are no outside resources needed. Only the quitter’s willingness to quit absolutely is required. While this is the simplest method, it is also the most difficult. The director of Cancer Science and Trends at the American Cancer Society, Thomas Glynn, stated, “It is like tight-rope walking without a net.” Long term success rates with cold turkey quitters are only a meager three and one half percent. A cold turkey quitter would not be using any forms of quitting aids, like patches or gum, so feeling the withdrawal effects and dealing with the symptoms could not be avoided. The quitter could suffer from headache, nausea, irritability, anxiety, depression and more. Any combination of these symptoms can create a challenging experience for a quitter. Withdrawal symptoms significantly affect the quitter’s positive mentality and will to quit. Using aids, such as nicotine patches, gum, or counseling requires the quitter to follow a weaning program within which the quitter must participate exactly as instructed. While this process may be less simplistic, with the counseling appointments, patch schedules and weaning process, it is actually less difficult. Assuming the quitter could afford this method, the quitter can expect an easier transition into becoming a non smoker.
16 September 2013
Breaking a Habit: the Methods of Quitting Wouldn’t using the substance that one is trying to rid from his or her life hinder the ability to do so? People are creatures of habit. They find comfort in the concepts of familiarity and routine. One of the most common bad habits and addictions among adults is smoking cigarettes. Many smokers are faced with the decision to quit and most often use one of two popular methods, quitting cold turkey or quitting with aid. Even though both are methods of achieving the same ultimate goal, they are considerably different in how the quitter experiences becoming a non smoker. Quitting cold turkey is the simplest method to quit smoking. There are no outside resources needed. Only the quitter’s willingness to quit absolutely is required. While this is the simplest method, it is also the most difficult. The director of Cancer Science and Trends at the American Cancer Society, Thomas Glynn, stated, “It is like tight-rope walking without a net.” Long term success rates with cold turkey quitters are only a meager three and one half percent. A cold turkey quitter would not be using any forms of quitting aids, like patches or gum, so feeling the withdrawal effects and dealing with the symptoms could not be avoided. The quitter could suffer from headache, nausea, irritability, anxiety, depression and more. Any combination of these symptoms can create a challenging experience for a quitter. Withdrawal symptoms significantly affect the quitter’s positive mentality and will to quit. Using aids, such as nicotine patches, gum, or counseling requires the quitter to follow a weaning program within which the quitter must participate exactly as instructed. While this process may be less simplistic, with the counseling appointments, patch schedules and weaning process, it is actually less difficult. Assuming the quitter could afford this method, the quitter can expect an easier transition into becoming a non smoker.