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My names jasmine, im 18 years old and graduated high school last may, i've always loved the natural lifestyle so when I heard about the integrative health program I knew it was perfect for me, and Im so grateful to be learning how to help myself and others, I hope to eventually get my IHP degree.

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I chose this topic because of the amount of people I know with a nicotine addiction, and about every time I ask if they'd ever quit, 90% of the time they say yes, and just don't know where to start. I also chose this topic because I have two younger siblings, that I worry about.

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Nicotine is a stimulant and chemical found in tobacco that causes the addiction. When someone uses nicotine it enters the bloodstream and travels to the brain. Nicotine stimulates the release of neurotransmitters, specifically dopamine, a hormone associated with motivation and pleasure. Nicotine addiction hijacks the brains reward pathway by influencing the release of dopamine. Over time the brain associates smoking with pleasure which leads to cravings and dependency on nicotine to keeps those feelings of reward.

"An estimated 8.7% of 8th graders and 15.1% of 10th graders, and 24.8% of 12thgraders reported any nicotine use in the past 30 days."

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In 2014, the Nation marked the 50th anniversary of the first Surgeon General's Report on Smoking and Health. In 1964, more than 40 percent of the adult population smoked. Once the link between smoking and its medical consequences-including cancers and heart and lung diseases-became a part of the public consciousness, education efforts and public policy changes were enacted to reduce the number of people who smoke. These efforts resulted in substantial declines in smoking rates in the United States-to half the 1964 level.

However, rates of cigarette smoking and other tobacco use are still too high, and some populations are disproportionately affected by tobacco's health consequences. Most notably, people with mental disorders-including substance use disorders-smoke at higher rates than the general population. Additionally, people living below the poverty line and those with low educational attainment are more likely to smoke than those in the general population. As tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of mortality in the United States, differential rates of smoking and use of other tobacco products is a significant contributor to health disparities among some of the most vulnerable people in our society.

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Introduction | National Institute on Drug Abuse

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In 2014, the Nation marked the 50th anniversary of the first Surgeon General's Report on Smoking and Health. In 1964, more than 40 percent of the adult population smoked. Once the link between smoking and its medical consequences-including cancers and heart and lung diseases-became a part of the public consciousness, education efforts and public policy changes were enacted to reduce the number of people who smoke.

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truth initiative is a non-profit organization dedicated to preventing youth nicotine addiction and promoting quitting smoking through their "truth" anti-tobacco campaign.

"Most smokers — nearly 70 percent — say they want to quit, and the youth e-cigarette use crisis has created a major need for information on how to quit vaping, particularly among teens and young adults."

https://www.thetruth.com/quit

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Quitting smoking / vaping | Truth Initiative

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Most smokers — nearly 70 percent — say they want to quit, and the youth e-cigarette use crisis has created a major need for information on how to quit vaping, particularly among teens and young adults.

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Minutes- Heart rate drops.

1 to 12 months- Coughing and shortness of breath decrease.

5 to 10 years- Added risk of cancers of the mouth, throat, and voice box drops by half.

Risk of stroke decreases.

10 years- Risk of cancers of the bladder, esophagus, and kidney decreases.

20 years- Risk of cancers of the mouth, throat, and voice box drops to close to that of someone who does not smoke.

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Get motivated to quit smoking by the many positive health changes that continue for years.

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I would love for my future to be an activist in helping others quit and educate them on this topic, specifically middle and high schoolers. And if I chose to get my coaching certification I hope to expand my knowledge with other addictive substances and help people with their addiction.

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Nicotine addiction causes a bunch health risks, and quitting nicotine not only improves physical health but also mental well-being and overall quality of life. With a strong support system, digital health tools, and personalized medication you can quit or introduce this to someone to help them quit.

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1. getting ready

2. support

3. learning new skills and behaviors

4. medication

5. be prepared for difficult situations

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Quitting is a very personal experience, but you are not alone. There’s no one way that works for everyone.

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NIDA. 2020, January 1. Is nicotine addictive?. Retrieved from https://nida.nih.gov/publications/research-reports/tobacco-nicotine-e-cigarettes/nicotine-addictive on 2024, November 18

Benefits of Quitting Smoking . cdc.gov. (2024, May 15). https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/about/benefits-of-quitting.html

Unlock a life without tobacco. 5 Keys for Quitting - QuitAssist®. (2004). https://www.quitassist.com/5-keys-for-quitting.htm?gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAACRrKPp3B1mhromW8845XoWclY1_i&gclid=Cj0KCQiAi_G5BhDXARIsAN5SX7pU0Sgiy1za_yw8XV4IH5PQFwXmwTcr4w3uuBxnuKlem6yjVwnY65gaAvD7EALw_wcB

Quitting smoking / vaping. Truth Initiative. (n.d.). https://truthinitiative.org/research-resources/topic/quitting-smoking-vaping