Psychology and smoking

Why people smoke and effects of stopping smoking on the brain

Abbie W

Why investigate?

I decided to investigate the psychology behind smoking because I thought that if we understood why people smoked we could suggest ways to prevent them from smoking.

Types of SmokersPhysical addictionAddicted to the actual nicotine. These smokers normally need a cigarette in the first hour after getting up and crave cigarettes when in an area where they can’t smoke. It can be very difficult for this kind of smoker to quit because their body needs the nicotine.HabitualSmoking is a habit, for example having a cigarette whilst having a cup of tea or whilst watching TV. Sometimes if the smoker doesn’t do that activity whilst trying to quit they are successful in quitting because smoking is associated with that activity.Psychological AddictionThey smoke to cope with stress or worry. It is sometimes very difficult for this kind of smoker to quit because they become more agitated and anxious about the situation, give in and have a cigarette.

Types of smokers by quantityType by quantity Definition Most likely type of smoker

(eg Habitual)

Chain smoker Lights next cigarette when present one is still in mouth can go through 3 packs/ day

Physical

Heavy smoker Someone who can go through 2 packs/ day

Physical/Psycological

Moderate smoker Smokes between 1-2 packs/day Psycological/ Habitual

Light Smoker Smokes ½ -1 pack/day Habitual

Casual Smoker Only smokes when out with friends

Habitual

It is important for smokers to distinguish what type of smoker they are if they are going to quit. Most people do this by making a smoking diary. In this, they document the time of the cigarette, activity, how they were feeling and how much they enjoyed that cigarette.

After quitting – The Psychological symptoms

Most of the psychological symptoms of quitting smoking are reasons why people smoked in the first place. Psychological and Habitual smokers are more likely to experience symptoms like these:

• Boredom • Anxiety • Sense of Loss • Irritability

After quitting – Physical symptoms

People with a Physical addiction are more likely to experience physical symptoms like:• Dizziness• Sleep Problems• Lack of concentration• Coughing • Headaches• Weight Gain*

*Although weight gain is physical, eating more is used to fill the empty void of smoking felt by habitual and psychological smokers.

Summary

• Quitting smoking is definitely not easy and there are lots of barriers that smokers face. From my chat with Tracy Black (Nurse) I found out that most people don’t go to a support group but instead just buy NRT at the supermarket. These people probably don’t know what type of smoker they are and may be doing the wrong things to quit. I think that if more people used the NHS cessation services, less people would smoke. Greater advertising of the services available would make more people aware.

References

• NHS Lothian’s ‘Your path to a Smoke free life’ Self-help guide• http://www.jpsimbulan.com/2008/09/23/types-of-smokers-c

hemical-addiction-habit-and-psychological-dependency/

• http://www.jpsimbulan.com/2008/09/20/types-of-smokers-by-cigarette-consumption/