Smokers who stop relapsing because they want to be part of a group



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We all know that smoking is very addictive physically and psychologically. Now, research into why smokers relapse has shown that, just like nicotine, ex-smokers are looking for their former social identity.

About three-quarters of stop attempts fail within four weeks, according to researchers based in the United Kingdom. They believe that former smokers are likely to relapse because lighting becomes linked to what they are, often at a young age. Smoking recapture again what he perceives as his lost social identity as a "smoker".

To investigate the potential psychological and social factors of ex-smokers returning to their old habits, researchers from the University of East Anglia interviewed 43 people who had stopped and relapsed.

Individuals have detailed their smoking history, their attempts to quit, and why past and recent efforts have failed.

 Smoke cigarette-stock According to researchers, former smokers can relapse because of their lost social identity. Getty Images

The researchers then focused on 23 participants, who went into more detail about their experiences.

The authors concluded that physical dependence, smoking also causes emotional, behavioral and social dependencies. The study was published in the Journal of Substance Use

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Dr. Caitlin Notley, author of the study and senior lecturer in mental health and a member of the British Society for the Study of Addiction, explained that the study indicates that relapse is badociated with a series of emotional triggers

. study, and the new theory requires additional testing. However, she said Newsweek that the results are still significant as they offer new insights on behavior that is not rational in terms of an individual's health.

"Understanding the relapse process can help inform evidence-based relapse prevention interventions to help people stay smoke-free in the long run," said Notley. "Currently, in the UK, there is no recommended approach for relapse prevention support because of a lack of underlying evidence: this study is the first step to provide the necessary evidence . "

"she explained in a statement," Identifying a smoker, is adhering to what looks like an exclusive group, "she explains. 19659002] "When people try to quit, they are actually trying to bury part of their old identity and reconfigure a new identity," Notley said. "It can be difficult, especially when it is something that has been" part of them "for most of their adult life."

For some, quit smoking It may also mean giving up old friends, she added, and people who relied on smoking as a form of stress relief had their inevitable return.

"They [the participants] also talked about A sense of relief to regain their smoker identity – so there are a lot of emotions – relapse-related reactions such as pleasure, but also guilt and shame, "she said.

Notley says that Newsweek creates a new identity can be an important tool for successfully quitting smoking. "For example, ex-smokers may adopt new recreational sports that give them a sense of Belonging to a group that does not involve any harmful behavior to health. " Aping may be an appropriate alternative, and offers a social identity, ex-smokers who have trouble completely giving up nicotine.

According to the latest figures cited by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 36.5 million adults in the United States smoked in 2015. But many of them want to "[19659002] Nearly one in five deaths in the United States is caused by smoking, accounting for more than 480,000 deaths a year

Smokers are more likely to develop heart disease, lung cancer and stroke. Even those who smoke less than five cigarettes a day may show signs of cardiovascular disease, warned the CDC.

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