In these modern times, vaping has surged in popularity, leading it to emerge as a trendy alternative to traditional smoking. It is a habit that is marketed as safe and—unlike smoking—more socially acceptable. This has contributed significantly to vape pods becoming a foothold among teens and young adults, who are allured by their sleek design, flavors, and the perception that inhaling these vapors has health benefits.
However, lately, vaping, hailed as a potential enabler of smoking cessation, has revealed its share of health issues. Some of the most common ones are nicotine addiction, lung issues, and some long-term effects overshadowing its use. With its impact on vapers' health being detrimental, concerns have been highlighted, with calls to quit being raised.
Here, we have compiled extensive studies to help understand vaping and how to quit. We understand vaping is more like a drug, and quitting this habit is not just about liberating yourself from the nicotine addiction. It is about reclaiming your liveliness and protecting your future.
What is Vaping?
Vaping is essentially using a handheld electronic device to inhale vapor (mist) into your lungs. It often entails vaping devices that come in different sizes and shapes, such as e-pipes and vape pens. They work by heating a liquid in the device, usually e-liquid, which contains nicotine and other chemicals. These substances produce an aerosol that users breathe in.
Why People Start Vaping
Just like any other drug/habit people have ventured into, most individuals start vaping out of curiosity. Some get into this habit of yearning for the thrill of trying something new, while others are drawn by the vape-appealing flavors and misconceptions, such as vaping is a safe alternative to smoking. Also, social media platforms play a big role in influencing people who give in as a way to fit in.
Why People Should Avoid It
More than 90% of vaping devices contain nicotine, which is linked to benefits like enhanced concentration, stress relief, and pleasure. However, while it is a relatively safer smoking option, the nicotine in the e-liquid has its share of health risks, as it can hurt your heart and adversely affect your brain. Nicotine addiction impacts brain development by hampering the growth of neurons and brain circuits, hence prompting one to stop vaping.
How to Stop Vaping
So, how do you stop vaping? Well, it is important to understand that quitting vaping requires an approach and patience. Overexposure to nicotine can tamper with your brain, which makes it hard for you to quit even if you want to. There are stages and approaches that can help you stop vaping, and they are as follows:
Prepare to Quit
This may seem like an atypical approach, but it is a critical one. In preparation for quitting, you commit to finding a reason or motivation to quit. There are many issues that prompt you to quit. As per reports, health issues are among the key reasons people decide to stop vaping.
Other reasons are a personal decision to take a different path to free yourself from addiction, life changes like professions, starting a family, or pressure from friends. Also, vaping interfering with your hobbies, cost, and not enjoying it anymore can prompt you to quit, to mention a few.
Understanding why you want to quit is vital as it will help you set your course for your recovery journey and push you to achieve your goal. We also recommend informing your family and friends for accountability and to get them to support you.
Timing
Once you have your motive, timing is the next crucial thing. It essentially means setting a date when you want to stop vaping. This enhances accountability and gives you a chance to prepare and bring together resources you may need to help you through the cravings and distress people encounter during the early stages of quitting.
Strategies to Stop Vaping
Behavioral Strategies
Kicking your vaping habits starts by identifying and avoiding triggers that led you to it. Is it boredom, influence from friends or social media, or stress that makes you reach for the vape pod? Once you have pinpointed your trigger, the next course of action is to find other health alternatives to fill the void.
We recommend exercise, as it has proven to be a great stress-buster time and again. Alternatively, you can seek some of your healthy hobbies that you genuinely enjoy to keep your mind busy. Also, leverage the power of good support systems from family, friends, or a support group who can encourage you. This approach will keep you from straying from your mission.
Nicotine Replacement Therapy
Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) is revolutionary when looking to stop vaping. It's an innovative way to help you deal with challenges like withdrawals that are inevitable on your journey to quit nicotine addiction. Nicotine Replacement Therapy comes in different forms, such as gums, patches, and Lozenges, which are designed to suit unique preferences.
Patches, for instance, offer you a consistent release of nicotine throughout the day. This aspect makes it a convenient and credible option if you have a busy schedule. Lozenges and gums are known to provide you with immediate relief that will help you tackle cravings instantly. Nicotine Replacement Therapy is an effective way to mitigate your nicotine reliance.
This approach not only aids in curbing your physical cravings it also supports your mental resilience during the quitting process. According to a 2019 study, with Nicotine Replacement therapy, you are not just stopping vaping; you also reclaim control over your health and ease your transition to a nicotine-free life.
Prescription Medication
We understand that, at times, stopping vaping can be a bit of a challenge; hence, we also recommend prescription medication to make this journey smoother. This essentially means reaching out to a healthcare provider to tailor a quit plan based on your needs and prescribe medication to help you deal with cravings.
Depending on the healthcare provider’s assessment, they can prescribe medication that will help reduce the pleasure of nicotine or help you curb nicotine cravings. However, take note that these medications alone are not sufficient. To be effective, they need to be used in conjunction with behavioral strategies to boost your chance of stopping vaping and relying on nicotine.
Managing Withdrawal
Stopping vaping can be difficult, especially when you are agonizing with nicotine addiction. While quitting may be easier, remaining nicotine-free can be overwhelming due to withdrawals and emotional cravings. They add a layer of complexity as your moods and metabolism change.
Typical withdrawal symptoms are irritability, anxiety, and a strong urge to vape. But don’t let these symptoms deter you. There are practical approaches, like avoiding triggers and being positive, to help you cope. Moreover, keeping yourself busy with engaging activities such as physical and mind exercises, hobbies, and even simple tasks within your house, like cleaning, can be effective.
You can also embrace simple practices such as taking deep breaths when the strong urge hits and drinking water regularly, as it helps eliminate toxins. It is advised that you commit to maintaining a healthy diet that includes fruits, lean proteins, and vegetables. They help a great deal in stabilizing your mood and ensuring that you maintain good energy levels. They make it easier for you to resist the urge to vape.
Embrace Destress and Relaxation Techniques
Stopping vaping is progressive, and quitting vape is just the first step. To avoid relapsing and remain nicotine-free, especially if you use vaping as a way to deal with stress, you can leverage destress techniques. You can practice meditation such as mindfulness meditation, which will help you avoid dwelling on the past. It is a great way to avoid impulsive and emotional reactions that lead you back to vaping.
You can use relaxation techniques such as guided imagery to help you replace stressful feelings with visually pleasant and calm scenarios. You can do this on your own or seek help from a healthcare professional. Also, deep breath exercises when faced with tension or anxiety. It is a practical and widely used technique to calm nerves.
Celebrate Milestones
The strategies elucidated above help you stop vaping and effectively deal with typical challenges that come with quitting vaping or smoking in general. However, to ensure you remain vape-free, we recommend celebrating milestones. This means perceiving each day, week, or month you stay without vaping as a victory.
It is one practical way to keep you motivated on this journey. Seeing how many days, weeks, or months you have been nicotine-free will encourage you to do more and boost your confidence. You can decide to buy yourself a gift or throw a small party with family or friends to commemorate your journey and achievement.
Our Parting Shot
As you take on the journey to vape-free living, understand that setbacks and relapse can happen. But do not be discouraged. Instead, take them as learning opportunities. Note the trigger of relapse and develop an approach to avoid it repeating as you progress. Be sure to use available resources to help you curb challenges like cravings, withdrawals, and the urge to vape. If you still enjoy the thrill of vaping, check Fantasi Vape Shop. We offer the best collection of vape products that are sure to elevate your vaping experience.