Am I Addicted to Vaping?

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Publish date

Aug 15, 2021

Post Author

Bryan Amaro

Category

Vaping has risen in popularity, and many people indulge without knowing what they are using. Nicotine is in almost all the vapes available to buy, and it is highly addictive. After a long period of time, your brain and your body get used to having nicotine. This means that you can experience nicotine withdrawal symptoms whenever you stop vaping. The more you vape, the more the brain and body get used to having it in its system. When you quit vaping, the nicotine level in your bloodstream decreases, which can cause many unpleasant feelings and even uncomfortable physical symptoms. 

Vaping Myths vs. Facts

Myth: Vapes and vaping devices are safer than cigarettes. 

Fact: Vapes are just as unsafe as cigarettes for all ages. Most vapes contain nicotine, which is highly addictive and can harm the brain development of young teens. The negative impacts on brain development can carry on throughout the early to mid-20s.

Myth: Vaping is just flavoring. 

Fact: Vaping products get their flavoring from chemicals. Some chemicals are safe to consume, while others can irritate the lungs. 

Myth: Vaping produces water vapor.

Fact: Vapes do not produce harmless water vapor. They produce an aerosol that can contain harmful chemicals like heavy metals, volatile organic compounds, and ultra-fine particles that can harm the lungs. 

Signs You Are Addicted to Vaping

If you are unsure whether you are addicted to vaping or not, some questions to ask yourself include: 

  • Do you vape even when it’s hurting you, or when you want to stop?
  • Do you feel anxious or irritable when you can’t use your vape?
  • Do you think about vaping even when you are doing something important or otherwise distracting?
  • Do you still vape, even if you have previously gotten in trouble with your parents or school for vaping?
  • Have you ever tried to stop vaping but couldn’t?
  • Do you feel like you have lost control over your vaping?

When you learn more about what nicotine addiction is and then come to terms with the fact that you may be addicted, it can help you better understand why you’re struggling. You can begin to realize why your body feels the way it does and why it feels like you can’t live your life without vaping. Luckily, there are plenty of strategies that can help you figure out what works best for you.

Signs You Are Experiencing Withdrawal Symptoms

If you are addicted to vaping, once you stop, your body will experience withdrawal symptoms. These occur as your body and brain adjust back to normal levels. Signs of nicotine withdrawal include: 

  • Feeling irritable, restless, or jittery
  • Having headaches
  • Sweating
  • Feeling sad or down
  • Feeling anxious
  • Feeling tired or groggy
  • Having trouble thinking clearly or concentrating
  • Having trouble sleeping
  • Feeling hungry
  • Having intense cravings for e-cigarettes

6 Ways to Cope With Nicotine Withdrawal 

Experiencing nicotine withdrawal looks different for everyone. For some, the withdrawal symptoms can make it extremely hard to quit. Fortunately, these symptoms can go away with time, if you completely stay away from vapes. The longer you can go without vaping, the more your body can get used to being nicotine-free. You will begin to gain more confidence in your ability to avoid vaping, regaining control of your mind and body. 

Some effective ways to cope with your nicotine addiction include:  

#1. Seek Professional Help 

Talk to your healthcare professional about quitting, and ask how to manage your withdrawal symptoms. Some professionals specialize in helping people just like you. 

#2. Drink Plenty of Water

Make sure you are drinking plenty of water throughout the day. Water can help you with any uncomfortable nicotine withdrawal symptoms like headaches, sweating, hunger, and fatigue. Water can also help reduce any nicotine cravings. 

#3. Get Plenty of Sleep

It’s normal to feel tired or groggy during the day or even to suffer from insomnia. While trying to stop using nicotine, you need to make sleep a priority. Try to start and maintain a good sleep schedule. This means turning off all electronics an hour before bed. You could even take it as far as sleeping with your phone in another room. 

#4. A Healthy Diet

While quitting vaping, you may feel hungrier than ever. To avoid eating things that are bad for you, try eating healthy snacks instead, like carrots or raw nuts, to keep you full. Healthy snacks can also help with an oral fixation or craving for nicotine. 

#5. Reach Out to Your Support System

Coping with nicotine withdrawal can be challenging to handle alone. Reach out to your family and friends. Tell them what you’re going through so that they can better support you. 

#6. Prepare Yourself Mentally

In the beginning, quitting can be very difficult, and you will experience many urges. Develop a solid plan for how you will handle your cravings when they come. Ultimately, this will help you resist your urge to vape.  

Vaping has become a trendy alternative to cigarettes, but that doesn’t mean it is a healthy option. If you feel that you or a loved one has a nicotine addiction, it is important to take action now. Although this may be easier said than done, you can develop a plan that works for you or your loved one as an individual. Making a plan that is effective and helps you, in the long run, is crucial to your success. There are also healthcare professionals that specialize in helping people like you recover from an addiction. HealthyU focuses on behavioral health, and they want to help you or your loved one get a sober life. We can assist you with anything from substance abuse disorder to post-traumatic stress disorder. We understand that handling this alone can be difficult, and sometimes having a support system of just family and friends won’t be enough. Contact us at (619) 542-9542.