How to Quit Smoking When You Have ADHD
It's not uncommon for teens and adults with ADHD to use tobacco smoking to cope with their symptoms.
But you don't need a doctor to tell you that smoking is a dangerous habit that could lead to further health complications.
Like anyone hooked on to nicotine, adults with ADHD often find it difficult to quit smoking, but their symptoms make them less likely to succeed.
In the short term, nicotine can actually improve attention span and performance deficits in people with ADHD.
Brain scans also show that dopamine, the neurotransmitter responsible for impulse control and attention, is released when nicotine reaches the brain.
And there are studies that show that teens and adolescents with strong symptoms of inattention are three times more likely to smoke than their peers.
Of course, the health risks of smoking outweigh its short-lived benefits.
Even with exercise and a good diet, smoking increases your risk for many types of cancer, heart disease, and respiratory problems.
Since nicotine is very addictive, the decision to quit smoking is a difficult one to make.
However, science has interesting news for ADHD smokers who want to kick the habit - your success at smoking cessation may depend on the symptoms you experience.
Researchers from Columbia University and New York State Psychiatric Institute examined 583 adults, 43 of which were diagnosed with ADHD.
All were given a drug with buproprion, nicotine patches, and smoking cessation counseling.
It was discovered that those without ADHD were more likely to succeed at smoking cessation than those with ADHD symptoms.
But it turns out that the smoking cessation rates were related to specific symptoms - individuals who only had symptoms of inattention were more likely to quit smoking as those without ADHD.
On the other hand, those who had more hyperactive and impulsive symptoms (regardless of whether they had attention problems) were less likely to succeed at quitting smoking.
These facts are not meant to discourage, but to make you more aware about the limitations ADHD can place over your desire to quit smoking.
That being said, here are some tips that will help you kick the habit for good.
Quit for yourself Don't quit smoking because your parents or your spouse is forcing you to; quit because you want to do it for yourself.
If you quit smoking for other people, you won't be as motivated and determined to stay cigarette-free.
You are also more likely to take up the habit with a vengeance should things go wrong with the person you are quitting for.
Write a list It helps to write a list of the benefits of quitting smoking: saving money on cigarettes, no more hacking cough, you'll protect your children's health, etc.
You're probably aware of the downsides of smoking and what you can get out of quitting.
Place your list in a place where you can easily read it.
Decide on a quit date Picking a date where you'll smoke your last cigarette will prepare your mind and body for the bumpy journey ahead.
If you want, you can even hold a small ceremony to mark the occasion.
Ask for help Ask for the support of your family, friends, or spouse.
Let them know about your intention to quit smoking and warn them that you may be irritable, more inattentive, or irrational while your body suffers from withdrawal symptoms.
Celebrate small victories Once you've quit smoking, motivate yourself to keep going by celebrating the small milestones of your journey.
In two weeks, treat yourself out to a movie.
In a month, have dinner at a nice restaurant (and get a table at the non-smoking section).
In three months, book a weekend getaway for you and your loved one.
In six months, spoil yourself with a frivolous object.
After one year, throw a small party to celebrate 365 days of being cigarette-free.
But you don't need a doctor to tell you that smoking is a dangerous habit that could lead to further health complications.
Like anyone hooked on to nicotine, adults with ADHD often find it difficult to quit smoking, but their symptoms make them less likely to succeed.
In the short term, nicotine can actually improve attention span and performance deficits in people with ADHD.
Brain scans also show that dopamine, the neurotransmitter responsible for impulse control and attention, is released when nicotine reaches the brain.
And there are studies that show that teens and adolescents with strong symptoms of inattention are three times more likely to smoke than their peers.
Of course, the health risks of smoking outweigh its short-lived benefits.
Even with exercise and a good diet, smoking increases your risk for many types of cancer, heart disease, and respiratory problems.
Since nicotine is very addictive, the decision to quit smoking is a difficult one to make.
However, science has interesting news for ADHD smokers who want to kick the habit - your success at smoking cessation may depend on the symptoms you experience.
Researchers from Columbia University and New York State Psychiatric Institute examined 583 adults, 43 of which were diagnosed with ADHD.
All were given a drug with buproprion, nicotine patches, and smoking cessation counseling.
It was discovered that those without ADHD were more likely to succeed at smoking cessation than those with ADHD symptoms.
But it turns out that the smoking cessation rates were related to specific symptoms - individuals who only had symptoms of inattention were more likely to quit smoking as those without ADHD.
On the other hand, those who had more hyperactive and impulsive symptoms (regardless of whether they had attention problems) were less likely to succeed at quitting smoking.
These facts are not meant to discourage, but to make you more aware about the limitations ADHD can place over your desire to quit smoking.
That being said, here are some tips that will help you kick the habit for good.
Quit for yourself Don't quit smoking because your parents or your spouse is forcing you to; quit because you want to do it for yourself.
If you quit smoking for other people, you won't be as motivated and determined to stay cigarette-free.
You are also more likely to take up the habit with a vengeance should things go wrong with the person you are quitting for.
Write a list It helps to write a list of the benefits of quitting smoking: saving money on cigarettes, no more hacking cough, you'll protect your children's health, etc.
You're probably aware of the downsides of smoking and what you can get out of quitting.
Place your list in a place where you can easily read it.
Decide on a quit date Picking a date where you'll smoke your last cigarette will prepare your mind and body for the bumpy journey ahead.
If you want, you can even hold a small ceremony to mark the occasion.
Ask for help Ask for the support of your family, friends, or spouse.
Let them know about your intention to quit smoking and warn them that you may be irritable, more inattentive, or irrational while your body suffers from withdrawal symptoms.
Celebrate small victories Once you've quit smoking, motivate yourself to keep going by celebrating the small milestones of your journey.
In two weeks, treat yourself out to a movie.
In a month, have dinner at a nice restaurant (and get a table at the non-smoking section).
In three months, book a weekend getaway for you and your loved one.
In six months, spoil yourself with a frivolous object.
After one year, throw a small party to celebrate 365 days of being cigarette-free.
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