If you find yourself with these symptoms, it means that you have developed a physical dependence on nicotine, and it will be very, very difficult to quit smoking on your own. In addition, even quitters who develop nicotine addiction are more likely to return to cigarettes.
In this case, the qualified help of a specialist doctor is required, combining both psychotherapy and nicotine replacement therapy.
Most authors deny the personality structure specific to smokers, others note that heavy smokers are irritable, hot-tempered, intolerant of the shortcomings and actions of other people, vulnerable, prone to depression reactions. Smokers often and in large quantities use strong tea, coffee, stimulants. Smoking in stressful situations is more common for introverts, but not for extroverts.
Some researchers consider the participation of biological factors, including heredity, in the mechanisms of the formation of dependence on tobacco smoking. The issues of the existence of premorbid features that contribute to the onset of the syndrome of pathological craving for smoking are studied in domestic studies.
There are six main psychological factors in the motivation for starting smoking:
- a feeling of stimulation, a surge of strength when lighting up;
- feeling of relaxation after stressful situations;
- to establish interpersonal contacts;
- smoking “for the company” if someone smokes nearby;
- reduction of irritability and irascibility;
- drug addiction, i.e. smoking to relieve withdrawal symptoms.
The greater likelihood of continuing to smoke is associated with a positive effect on increased mood and insomnia rather than relief from the discomfort of deprivation.
Tobacco smoking is a complex process influenced by economic, social, psychological, genetic and pharmacological factors. The leading place in this process is given to nicotine addiction arising from the psychotropic and other pharmacological effects of nicotine. The emergence of addiction dramatically reduces the effectiveness of medical care. To a large extent, this is caused by the existence of resistance to therapy for the syndrome of pathological craving for tobacco smoking and the presence of heterogeneous psychopathological symptoms accompanying the main addiction syndromes.