How Can Parents Quit The Harmful Habit of Vaping
Quitting a habit is never easy. For vape users across the globe, kicking their nicotine addiction and putting down the vape device for good is a challenging and daunting process that will pose many complex barriers to overcome. However, with the right strategy and planning, it is something you can successfully achieve.
Once you ask yourself, ‘How to quit vaping?’, finding an avenue that provides the necessary support and tools unique to your needs will offer you the greatest chance of success.
What is Vaping?
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Vaping is the act of inhaling the flavored vapor released from an e-cigarette, e-pipe, vape pod, vape pen, or similar devices. Many people who turn to vaping view it as a harmless recreational activity that allows you to relax and avoid stress. And while studies show that it is becoming an increasingly common habit among young people, the dangers of vaping are often overlooked.
The vapor released from these devices often contains nicotine, a highly addictive drug that can negatively impact a developing brain. Although vaping e-liquid doesn’t contain many of the harmful and poisonous chemicals found in tobacco, the vapor does contain a variety of chemicals that can be toxic, which could potentially harm both your mental and physical health.
Vaping vs Smoking
E-cigarettes and vape pens have largely been considered the safer alternative to traditional cigarettes. Many people make the switch to minimize their exposure to the numerous harmful risks associated with smoking and tobacco.
Studies have shown that vaped aerosols do contain far fewer toxic compounds compared to cigarette smoke, but they are not entirely risk-free. A survey conducted by the CDC revealed that almost 99% of all vape devices sold in the U.S. alone contained some level of nicotine.
Nicotine is classified as a stimulant that has been found to raise heart rates and leave users with a temporary high. Furthermore, because it is highly addictive and challenging to quit, it dramatically increases your risk of developing serious disease.
Nicotine Effects
Many people turn to nicotine to find relief from anxiety, stress, and other negative factors that impact their mental health. However, the resulting addiction that follows regular usage can take a damaging toll on your mood and overall health.
For those with a nicotine dependency, going too long without consuming any can lead to uncomfortable and difficult withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms often include severe depression, anxiety, lack of focus, and heightened irritability. In order to relieve these effects, you need to consume more nicotine, and thus, the cycle begins once again.
Additionally, nicotine can negatively impact your brain, which continues to develop until your mid-20s. It has been found to impair the sections of your brain responsible for learning, moods, impulse control, and focus.
Top Tips to Quit
If your goal is to quit vaping, there are multiple different methods that can help you be successful, each containing unique benefits suitable for different needs.
Why & When
The first step to beginning your quitting journey is figuring out the reasons why you want to stop. Having a clear idea behind your desire to kick the habit for good will help you validate your decision, giving you motivation to change your patterns and habits for something more positive.
For many, the possible health effects associated with the habit offer significant motivation to quit. However, if you find these reasons are not strong enough to convince you, consider the money you will end up saving in the process, the freedom of not feeling agitated or stressed when you can’t vape, and protecting loved ones and pets against secondhand smoke.
Once you have found your ‘why,’ you need to decide what your timeline will look like. Quitting any addiction is difficult, so ensuring you are in a positive mind frame with little added stress will guarantee you a greater chance of success. While it is not always possible to predict what life may throw at you, having a solid support system during the more stressful times will help you stay on track.
Consider NRT
NRT, or nicotine replacement therapy, comes in many forms, including nicotine patches, gum, sprays, lozenges, and inhalers. These products provide a predetermined and consistent dose of nicotine when used, allowing you to avoid the usual rush you get from vaping while still gaining relief from withdrawal symptoms.
Consult with your healthcare provider to find the ride strategy and dosage for you, as it will largely depend on the amount of nicotine you are already consuming. Many experts recommended beginning NRT the day you quit vaping.
Have a Strategy for Cravings
Once you quit vaping, the first few weeks are going to be pretty tricky to get through as you begin to experience debilitating withdrawal symptoms. These can include negative mood changes, tiredness, depression, headaches, insomnia, and trouble focusing, to name a few.
During this time, you may also experience strong desires to begin vaping once again. Instead, you should build a list of activities and distractions that you can use when these urges become strong.
Build a Support System
One of the most critical steps in your journey to end vaping is building a solid support system around you. Inform your closest friends and family of your intentions to quit, as their support and encouragement can often be the single factor that prevents you from turning to your old ways during particularly difficult days.
Furthermore, seeking the help of a therapist can have many positive benefits, especially if you have underlying concerns. By consulting with a mental health professional, they can help you identify your reasons to quit, suggest coping skills to manage cravings and teach you how to control your emotions that impact your desire to vape.
