Nicotine Addiction

Over 35 million smokers try to quit every year, yet less reach their one-year anniversary. It is a rare person who wakes up and spontaneously throws their cigarettes out and never smokes again. Nicotine's powerful grip on smokers effects them body , mind and habits, and these aren’t changed easily. For most smokers, the decision to quit involves great effort. The early phase-mulling it over and wondering what it would be like to live without nicotine. This is a very important phase because smokers begin to challenge their beliefs about smoking which will reinforce a person’s abstinence when they finally decide to stop. To stop smoking successfully, the smoker has to be truly ready and truly believe they need to stop.

Why is nicotine so addictive? Each puff on a cigarette sends nicotine to the brain within 10 seconds. Immediately, people feel more alert and calm, sometimes euphoric. It feels good, so people have another puff. Soon the brain’s chemistry structure actually changes. It becomes hooked into wanting more and more nicotine. Just think: if a typical pack a day smoker takes 10 “hits” off each cigarette, that’s 200 “hits” of nicotine to the brain each day. No wonder smoking is so addictive.

Sue and Jim Cusack have begun to address nicotine use with the staff at the Villa. Sue and Jim have also instituted a stop smoking 12 step meeting at the Villa. The nonsmokers are trying to support those who struggle with nicotine dependency.

I think everyone has a personal story that involves tragedy around nicotine use. My father who died in August of 2006 refused to stop smoking when the doctors advised him of the effect on his health. When my family met with the doctors this last time my father was in ICU, he was informed that the reason he was dying was because he wouldn’t stop smoking. My fathers response to the doctors was to leave ICU against medical advice and returned home and smoked till the day he died, two months later. My father was only 64 years old.

If people don’t love themselves enough to stop smoking maybe it would help to think about the ones that love them and the effect they are having on their lives. I miss my father so much and it hurts to think that nicotine addiction is the reason he died so young.

What follows is a letter left by an anonymous guest.

Dear Jim,
I am writing this letter today out of the concern I have for countless people who are addicted to cigarettes. I’ve seen many suffer and die and many who go on with the constant struggle to deal with this addiction. Many have been friends I can no longer deal with because of the atmosphere of denial and persecution that surrounds them. They become defensive and sink deeper into this affliction simply because it is a legal substance and innocently enough have had their life taken over by their circumstances.

What I have just written in the previous paragraph could be about any other substance of abuse, yet, people somehow overlook it as that because of cigarettes history of acceptance. I believe nicotine has the same addictive powers as heroin. Knowing Veritas Villa’s success in dealing with many other addictions I would hope that Veritas Villa sees the reason for addressing cigarette addiction with the same philosophy that other addictions are treated with at the Villa.

Most people think they should do it on their own and become extremely stressed when encountered to stop. I believe that Veritas Villa has the wherewithal to change this attitude. Please consider this among the many other challenges you have risen to. Sincerely, Anonymous

The Villa’s slogan is:” It is possible to live and enjoy life without alcohol and other drugs”, and this includes nicotine.


 

Featured Employee

My name is Matt Ryan and I would like to welcome you to our website. I am 25 years sober and have worked at Veritas Villa for 16 years. I am a counselor on the men’s clinical team. I presently work with the uniformed officers and union members that served at Ground Zero. I believe that unresolved trauma will ultimately prevent some people from getting sober therefore it needs to be addressed in a safe supportive environment in early recovery. I look forward to seeing you when you come to the Villa!