Nicotine Is the Addiction; Smoking Is the Habit
Nicotine Is the Addiction; Smoking Is the Habit
I started smoking as a child, struggling to process the loss of a pet. Years later, after quitting smoking for 20 years, I found myself craving nicotine again. This craving never truly vanished; it was merely replaced by another hand-to-mouth addiction.
Most smokers enjoy smoking because it fills a void and numbs pain. Smoking often becomes a habitual response to boredom or stress—a way to satisfy the hand-to-mouth instinct. I’d frequently smoke not out of genuine desire but simply because I didn’t know what else to do: waiting for someone? Smoke. Life on hold? Smoke. Got five minutes to kill? Smoke.
These cigarettes weren’t particularly enjoyable; their primary function was to pass time, even if they were slowly killing me. Understanding the root of my nicotine addiction has empowered me to offer guidance and advice to others. It’s crucial to recognize that quitting smoking involves more than just giving up the habit—it’s about addressing the deeper addiction to nicotine and finding healthier ways to cope with the void it once filled.