Types of Smokers (Chemical Addiction, Habit and Psychological Dependency)
As a follow-up to my article “Types of Smokers (by Cigarette Consumption)“, I am presenting here types of smokers by dependency. The following article is in part related to another article in this site titled “Tip on How to Stop Cigarette Smoking: Chew Your Cigarettes“.
Although in my previous write-up I have indicated only two types of smokers based on dependency (psychological and physical), the physical dependency part in this article was divided into two parts (chemical addiction and habit).
The following types of smokers are not limited or confined to chain smokers or heavy smokers alone, as some of you may think. Smokers, whatever are their cigarette consumptions, may exhibit these dependencies one way or another. Hence, cigarette consumption here is not a point in question – it’s the type of dependency.
Some of the articles I have researched and read include the reasons why smokers smoke (which basically determines their types as smokers based on dependency to nicotine):
1. Chemical addiction
2. Habit
3. Psychological dependency
Chemical Addiction
Nicotine is the highly addictive drug found in tobacco. Signs that you are addicted to nicotine include:
- the need to have a cigarette soon after you get up in the morning
- the inability to go for longer than an hour or so without having a cigarette
- difficulty concentrating without having a cigarette
Habit
Most smokers have a link between many of their regular daily activities and smoking. Like the other activities, smoking has become a behavior that may be very difficult to change. Some of the common links for smokers are:
- smoking and drinking tea or coffee;
- smoking and alcoholic beverages;
- smoking and taking a break from work;
- smoking after a meal;
- smoking whilst relaxing watching TV or talking to friends etc.
Psychological Dependency
Feelings are important to all of us, and smoking behavior is commonly associated with various moods or feelings. Some of the common feelings associated with cigarette smoking include:
- coping with stressful situations
- when feeling tense (helping to relax)
- other uncomfortable feelings such as: anger, nervousness, self-pity, loneliness, sadness or feeling unloved
For this writer, I demonstrate all the characteristics and behaviors of the different types of smokers mentioned above. As stated in my past articles, I’m really struggling to stop smoking. I have tried the tip I’ve given in my first article about smoking (i.e., chew/eat cigarettes) and it’s working. I’m still smoking but my consumption has decreased dramatically since eating my own cigarette (unlit of course). I was smoking about 2.5 packs per day but for the past few days I’ve been consuming 1-2 packs per day only. The changes may be small but progressive. That, in my view is a good news.
On a personal note, I think I will finally stop smoking and fall in the non-smoker type sooner than expected. 
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Tags: cigarette smoking, Different types of smokers, health, health tips, How to quit smoking, Physical and psychological dependency on cigarettes, Types of smokers
