Tell us if this statement sounds a bit too familiar: “Just one more won’t kill me.” Unfortunately, this sentence can be the last words before a downward spiral into addiction and substance abuse, leading to a point where a man or woman reaches rock bottom. In fact, “just one more” cigarette can be enough to send you into an overflow of social and private mishaps right and left. So why do people feel a need to rationalize their nasty habit? Let’s take a closer look and find out more.
The Junkie Way of Thinking
If you are not prepared for the initial onslaught, the cascade of urges to smoke can be a bit overwhelming, especially for first-time quitters. In fact, this aptly-named “junkie” way of thinking is possibly one of the biggest reasons people feel the need to smoke. In essence, people who follow this pattern of behavior will try to rationalize their habits by saying things like, “I really will quit tomorrow!” or, “One more won’t kill me” (as we said before).
Rationalizing the Drag of Smoking
During the time you abstain from cigarettes, you might consider the mental chatter tormenting your brain as a sign of healing. After all, obsessions over smoking and an urge to take a drag are just a natural part of the withdrawal process. Nevertheless, smokers can still fall prey to weakness. Here are some rationalizations smokers might use to support their nasty habits:
- Smoking Is Relaxing: People who are used to cramming nicotine into their systems will find comfort in consuming cigarette smoke, but that is just a sign of addiction. Cigarettes can and never will alleviate stress.
- Smoking Boosts Performance at Work: After taking a drag off a cigarette, people may feel heightened mental clarity and a boost of energy, but the process of smoking actually sucks oxygen from your gray matter. Once the smoke clears, you will be able to think better.
- I’m Not Smoking Too Much: Cutting down on your cigarette intake is an excellent way to get a grip on your addiction, but you can never smoke at a “safe level.” Cigarettes contain a staggering 7,000 different toxins, each deadlier than the last.
- Quitting Is Too Hard: How many times have you heard this statement before? Obviously, cutting off a drug supply is the most difficult thing for an addict to do, but rest easy after learning that millions of Americans successfully quit on a yearly basis.
Seeking Treatment for Cigarette Use
Remember that addiction can be triggered by one shot of alcohol or a single puff of a cigarette, but the true danger of this sickness is that you cannot fully determine how much you have to consume before your mind forms an attachment. Social smoking is just as dangerous as chronic smoking, on many levels, but you do not have to smoke to have a good time. Remember, drugs cannot determine if you have fun and do not have control over your life.
If you are suffering from a severe case of drug abuse or addiction, or have a friend or loved one who is coping with this illness, get in touch with Asana Recovery today. Our professional team of counselors and healthcare experts will help you endure the painful process of alcohol withdrawal and detox and guide you along the rocky road of rehabilitation. Soon enough, you will experience a faster and much more efficient recovery.
If you want to find out more about our residential treatment or supervised detoxification/withdrawal programs or enroll in one of these programs today, we are ready and waiting to speak with you at your leisure and your disclosure. Call Asana now at (949) 438-4504 to learn how you can overcome your mental illness and take an extra step toward becoming a healthier person.
