Helping You Quit
May 4, 2006 by Mark
Filed under Diseases & Conditions
In support of my fellow Bloggers in the b5 Science and Health channel who are all about to discuss smoking today on theme Thursday;
What Is Nicotine Anonymous?
Nicotine Anonymous® is a fellowship of men and women helping each other to live our lives free of nicotine. We share our experience, strength and hope with each other so that we may be free from this powerful addiction. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop using nicotine. There are no dues or fees for Nicotine Anonymous membership; we are self supporting through our own contributions. Nicotine Anonymous is not allied with any sect, denomination, political entity, organization or institution; does not engage in any controversy, neither endorses nor opposes any cause. Our primary purpose is to offer support to those who are trying to gain freedom from nicotine.
This is from The Serenity Prayer for Nicotine Users;
“Remember, it is not really the stress, frustration or even the craving that causes us to keep using nicotine again, but rather our lack of serenity and courage to deal with the craving. Help comes from your Higher Power, from the group, and from your own healthy inner self! May God be with you now!”
This will grab your senses!
What Is Nicotine?
According to the American Lung Association:
• Nicotine is a poison used as an insecticide.
• When inhaled, nicotine gets to a person’s brain in seven seconds, twice as fast as intravenous drugs.
• Nicotine affects the brain and central nervous system. It changes the level of neurotransmitters and chemicals that regulate mood, learning, alertness, and ability to concentrate.
• Nicotine increases the heart rate, but it constricts the blood vessels, which reduces circulation.
• Nicotine can act like a stimulant or a sedative, depending on the level of nicotine in the body and time of day. Smoking also causes the release of endorphins, which create a tranquilizing effect.
• A tolerance for nicotine begins to develop with the first dose. Therefore, the level of use must increase to maintain its effects and to prevent withdrawal symptoms.
Did You Know?
“. . . while the odds on those trying crack or alcohol becoming addicts are 1 in 6 and 1 in 10 respectively, they’re 9 in 10 for cigarette smokers,” reports the chief of clinical pharmacology, National Institute on Drug Abuse.
“. . . Scientists have found, for instance, that nicotine is as addictive as heroin, cocaine or amphetamines, and for most people more addictive than alcohol,” states the article “Nicotine, Harder to Kick than Heroin,” published in the New York Times Magazine.
Did You Also Know?
Please check out the sidebar here and click through to the other Science and Health Blogs. These folks have done a wonderful job of posting some interesting facts and thoughts about smoking.
A Sober, Clean Day To All!
Mark
Hmmmmm. Food for thought.