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Anxiety and stopping smoking, vaping, dipping or chewing

NDC_Team
Mayo Clinic
5 4 285

During this time of uncertainty, our anxiety levels can be up one day, down the next, depending on multiple factors. When will life return to normal? When will I go back to work? Will I still have a job? When will this pandemic end? We can put ourselves into chaos by all of the thoughts that can race through our heads in a day.Many people might think that this is the worst time to quit smoking, vaping, dipping or chewing. If you have already quit, you may be concerned that the anxiety of the unknown might push you to relapse. But does tobacco really relieve our anxiety? It does not.

There are several factors to consider when looking at anxiety and tobacco. It may seem that nicotine calms our nerves when we are stressed or anxious, but in actuality, it is just relieving our withdrawal symptoms. The half-life of nicotine is usually less than 2 hours. It leaves the system very quickly, and that withdrawal from nicotine feel like anxiety. So, when anxiety or stress presents itself, the memory of how nicotine calmed that anxiety creates an urge to smoke, vape, dip or chew.

Evidence suggests that by stopping tobacco, real anxiety and depression lessen. In fact, smoking is linked to developing anxiety. Retraining your brain to develop skills for managing anxiety and stress can be an important part of recovery. Unfortunately, our brains will always remember what gave us instant gratification and a “quick fix.”

I like to think of recovery from tobacco use like driving a manual/stick shift car. When we are starting out, we have to think of a lot of different things in order for the car to go. But, as we are on the highway cruising along, driving becomes much easier. BUT, we still have to pay attention to the road or we will end up in the ditch!So today, pay attention to the roadblocks that may heighten anxiety, and have confidence in your ability to maneuver through those obstacles without tobacco.

Molly Leis

NDC Counselor/CTTS

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About the Author
The Nicotine Dependence Center at Mayo Clinic has been home to physicians, nurse practitioners, Master’s / PhD level counselors, trained TTS’, and amazing office staff for a total of 30 years, all working together to treat individuals who struggle with tobacco use. Counselors meet with an individual to develop their own personalized plan, discuss coping strategies, and provide ongoing support along the journey towards a tobacco-free life. As part of the process, counselors work with physicians and nurse practitioners to provide nicotine replacements and other medications for smoking cessation as needed. We are happy to be involved with the EX Community and we hope our experiences and expertise can help in your journey towards a tobacco-free life. View the link in our signature to see our individual Biographies.