Here is everything you need to know about nicotine replacements.
Nicotine Replacements
Nicotine addiction can be one that is hard to break. Within recent years, the invention of nicotine replacement products have taken the world by storm as a seemingly helpful alternative, but unfortunately have been found to be just as harmful.
The purpose of nicotine replacement products is to provide the user with nicotine without having to smoke. They help decrease the body’s craving for nicotine and alleviate any withdrawal symptoms. Nicotine replacements come in many different forms:
- Gum
- Patch
- Nasal spray
- Inhaler
- Lozenges
- E-cigarettes
The side effects may vary from person to person, and can include:
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Nausea
- Runny nose
- Mouth and throat irritation
- Coughing
- Sneezing
- Watery eyes
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Sinus pressure
- Gas
- Heartburn
- Sore throat
- Fast or irregular heartbeat
Some people utilize e-cigarettes in an attempt to help them quit smoking. However, vaping is still bad for your health. Traditional cigarettes contain about 7,000 chemicals, many of which are toxic. Although e-cigarettes have less chemicals, it is not yet known exactly what those chemicals are and how they can affect your health over time. A study conducted in 2019 found that both smoking and vaping were linked to a similar increase in the risk of a heart attack. Using both of them simultaneously poses a greater risk than using either alone.
Despite being marketed as an aid to help you stop smoking, e-cigarettes still remain unapproved by the FDA for smoking cessation. A recent study also found that most people who used e-cigarettes to stop their nicotine habit ended up continuing to smoke both traditional and e-cigarettes. While they have helped some people to quit, they also increase the risk of relapse among former smokers as well.
The ever increasing number of cases of severe lung disease and death in people who use e-cigarettes, nicotine replacements, points out their danger. During September of 2019, the number of people who fell ill due to severe lung illness (linked to vaping) more than doubled to 530 cases within 33 states, including 8 deaths; these statistics encompassed mainly adolescents and young adults.
At Asana Recovery, we understand how difficult recovering from these addictions through our daily work to help those struggling most from this disease. While some may believe they can make it alone, rehabilitation programs are essential in the fight to break dependency. The road ahead is not a smooth or easy one, but you can traverse it if done so with the support of the right team. Counseling and aftercare processes can assist you by addressing the psychological facets that led you to addition and help you build a structure from which to better cope with life without succumbing to addiction.
The supervised detoxification and residential treatment programs at Asana Recovery are offered in a supportive, relaxing, and inspiring environment. We’re deeply committed to ensuring your long-term recovery, and guiding you on your path to a healthier and happier future. There is no better time than now, and we’re always available to speak with you. Call us at (949) 438-4504 to learn more about our comprehensive drug and alcohol addiction treatment program today.
