Stop smoking center can be an institute where you can go and join different programs or it can be an online tutorial where you can learn and follow different quit smoking tips. Well, one must ask, why is it so hard to quit smoking? Well, the reason for this is that cigarettes contain Nicotine, which is an addictive drug. Smokers are emotionally attached to the habit and they have to deal with this emotional urge to get back to smoking, when they stop the habit.

About Nicotine

Nicotine is carried into the lungs and through the lungs it is absorbed by the bloodstream and carried into the body. This drug can badly affect body parts, hormones, food absorption and even the brain. Smoking reduces a person's lifespan. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), male smokers lose an average 13.2 years of their lifespan, while female smokers lose 14.5 years of their life because of this habit.   Smoking can lead to serious health problems like cancer, blindness, blood pressure, heart disease, and lung disease, and ultimately reduces quality of life. Smokers not only harm themselves but pose serious threats to their children as well, as they tend to be moody and irritable because of indirect effects of nicotine. Therefore, it's important to realize the need to quit and lead a healthier life.

Benefits of Quitting

Knowing about the benefits of quitting smoking gives better motivation to stop. In just twenty minutes after you quit, blood pressure and heart rate reduces. With two weeks after quitting, blood circulation and lung function improves.  Nine months later, problems such as shortness of breath and coughing do not show. In a year's time, your chances of heart disease are just half as compared to regular smokers. Quitting also reduces stained teeth, bad breath and smelly fingers.

So finally you have decided to quit. Good. Learn what you can expect afterwards:

When a person stops smoking, it takes about three to four days for nicotine and its by-products to get flushed out of the system. Withdrawal symptoms such as irritability, anxiety, frustration, depression, concentration problems, weight gain, tiredness, headache, sore throat and chest tightness can last for several weeks, and during this period it is important to keep the mind focused on quitting and avoid the urge to take a smoke again.

There are several ways to control yourself from smoking again, after you have quit the habit. Deep breathing techniques bring down stress and tension, which can make you to take the habit again. Drinking plenty of water everyday to flush out nicotine and other toxins can be very helpful. Taking drugs that can control the urge to smoke again such as Bupropion Zyban or Varenicline (Chantix) is quite effective, but they should be taken after consulting your physician. Substitutes such as Nicotine lozenges, gum and nasal spray are also used during the quitting process to control the need for smoking. Beyond these measures, quitting smoking requires a strong commitment and realization about the real need for quitting in terms of physical and emotional improvement as well as a healthier.