According to surveys, 1 in 6 Thai people smoke, starting from their teenage years to old age, with new smokers increasing every year. Cigarettes are therefore one of the leading causes of health problems among Thais that need urgent attention. Nowadays, quitting smoking is not as difficult as it seems because Phyathai 2 Hospital offers various technologies and options to help patients quit properly. Additionally, there is a team of doctors and nurses who provide consultations and are ready to find solutions together with the patients.
Cigarettes.. the cause of serious diseases!
- Cancer: Most cancers are related to smoking, especially organs directly exposed to cigarette substances, which have a higher tendency to develop cancer than other parts, such as the mouth, trachea, esophagus, lungs, pancreas, bladder, etc.
- Diseases related to the aorta, such as stroke and heart disease.
- Pulmonary diseases such as emphysema or chronic bronchitis.
These three diseases are directly caused by smoking, but smoking is also a cause of other diseases such as premature skin aging, stomach ulcers, osteoporosis, cataracts, diabetes, thyroid disorders, etc.
How much smoking qualifies as “nicotine addiction”
Cigarettes are like other addictive drugs; the more you smoke, the more addicted you become. The more you try to quit, the more you crave. Whenever you stop smoking and feel unhappy, lack concentration, restless, irritable, or moody—similar to withdrawal symptoms—it means you are addicted to cigarettes.
Nicotine addiction symptoms depend on two factors:
- Behavior: Whether a person becomes addicted depends on their smoking behavior. Some people get addicted after just 1-2 cigarettes and want to smoke more, while others may try the same amount but do not develop cravings and thus do not become addicted.
- Genetics: For example, if family members smoke or are addicted, a person trying smoking may become addicted more easily than others.
Why do we become addicted to cigarettes?
When we smoke one cigarette, the body receives over 4,000 chemical substances simultaneously, which cause cancer and other diseases. However, the only chemical that causes addiction is ‘nicotine.’ Once inhaled, nicotine quickly enters the bloodstream and reaches the brain within 6 seconds, stimulating the brain to release chemicals. The first chemical makes us feel energetic, alert, and awake, while the second chemical makes us feel calm and happy. This can be observed when we are stressed or irritated and smoke a cigarette; within 10 seconds, the brain releases chemicals that create happiness, making us feel calm and relaxed, clearing our minds and helping us think more easily.
As we continue smoking, the brain produces more nicotine receptors. Therefore, the body requires increasing amounts of nicotine. The longer we smoke, the more nicotine the body demands. This links to behavior and reward. For example, when stressed, smoking immediately relieves tension, or when socializing with friends, smoking helps us stay longer. These reactions occur because the body learns to reward the subconscious. Whenever the body receives nicotine, brain chemicals are released. When we stop smoking, withdrawal symptoms occur because the nicotine supply is insufficient for the body’s needs.
Characteristics of nicotine addiction
Addiction has two types: physical and behavioral. Currently, there are medications to help with physical addiction, such as oral medications or nicotine patches and gum. However, medications cannot help with behavioral addiction, which requires the patient’s own determination. Therefore, quitting smoking requires both medication and medical advice. If the patient is not heavily physically addicted, they may quit cold turkey on their own.
Withdrawal symptoms in the early stages of quitting smoking
Withdrawal symptoms usually last about 2-4 weeks after quitting and gradually disappear. After quitting, nicotine receptors in the brain gradually shut down, and cravings or withdrawal symptoms decrease. Medications can help reduce physical cravings, but if the patient continues old behaviors, such as smoking to relieve stress or after meals, they can easily relapse regardless of how long they have quit. This is because nicotine re-stimulates the brain to reactivate nicotine receptors, causing cravings to return.
Can medications really help quit smoking?
Currently, there are two types of medications to help quit smoking:
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- Nicotine: In Thailand, two legal forms are available—patches and gum. They can be used together or combined with other oral medications depending on the patient’s condition.
- Oral medications: Currently, there are two types that help quit smoking.
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- Champix: This medication stimulates the brain in place of nicotine, prompting the brain to release chemicals. It also blocks nicotine from acting on the brain. After taking it for a while, cigarettes will smell unpleasant, like smoking leaves without nicotine. This medication helps the brain instead of nicotine, so the patient does not experience withdrawal symptoms and has time to adjust to quitting. It must be taken continuously for at least 3 months to be effective.
- Quomem: This medication is normally used to treat depression, but doctors found that depressed patients taking it could quit smoking. It is therefore used for non-depressed patients to quit smoking as well. It must be taken continuously for at least 3 months. For heavily addicted patients, doctors may use all medications together to help them quit successfully.
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“Encouragement” is the best medicine for those who want to quit smoking
Phyathai 2 Hospital has a team of doctors and nurses ready to provide consultations in all aspects, including medication use, disease education, and importantly, motivation to encourage patients to quit smoking. Most patients quit due to health problems, family issues, or financial concerns. Doctors will highlight how motivation is important to patients to help them reach their goals.
Consultation is therefore part of the treatment. Doctors will discuss motivation with patients, ask about events that trigger their desire to smoke, and how they can overcome them. Patients must practice on their own and review medication use if needed.
Smoking is considered a chronic brain disease with a high chance of relapse. Some heavily addicted smokers may fail to quit on their first attempt and may need 5-6 attempts before quitting for good. Those who truly want to quit must come with determination, commitment, and discipline.
