Nicotine is an extraordinarily addictive drug that actives the area of the brain responsible for feelings of happiness and content. An estimated 18% of Americans smoke cigarettes. Most people attempt to quit the habit several times and the struggle is beneficial. Once a person quits cigarettes, the advantageous health effects kick in immediately. People who stop smoking live longer than those who keep the habit for life. Quitters lower their risk of developing lung cancer and chronic lung disease, heart attack, stroke, bronchitis and emphysema. While quitting smoking may be the most difficult thing you will ever attempt, there are proven ways to stop that can minimize symptoms of withdrawal.
Best Way to Quit Smoking: Choose a Quit Date
Experts believe that choosing a quit date can improve your chances of ending your nicotine addiction. Pick a date that is within 30 days. A date that is too far off allows you time to change your mind about quitting. You may improve your chances even more by picking a date with significance, such as your birthday, a wedding anniversary or the Great American Smokeout. Tell your family, friends and colleagues that you plan to quit. You can also start taking nicotine replacement medications prior to your quit date so that the active ingredient is in your bloodstream by the time you are ready to put cigarettes down for good. Start using nicotine replacement therapies on your quit date. NRTs, which double your chances of quitting, work by injecting a small amount of nicotine into the bloodstream and curbs withdrawal symptoms including anxiety, nervousness, tremors and mood swings.
Best Way to Quit Smoking: Avoid Triggers
Avoiding triggers can significantly increase your chances of quitting. Stay away from the places that make you feel like smoking, like bars, clubs and, if necessary, avoid friends that still smoke until you are comfortable with being around smokers and confident than you will not be tempted to fall off the wagon. One slogan popularized by the self help organization that launched Nicotine Anonymous, “People places and things,” is a reminder to avoid the people and situations that trigger cravings.
Best Way to Quit Smoking: Get Support
Join a self help group. Nicotine Anonymous is a free 12 step program for men and women who desire to quit using nicotine. If there re no meetings in your area, join an online smoking cessation support group. Smokefree.gov offers real time text message counseling.
Best Way to Quit Smoking: Medications
Prescription medications like varenicline, brand name Chantix, and bupropion, brand name Zyban, block the effect of nicotine on the brain. These drugs also stimulate and release chemicals in the brain that minimize symptoms of withdrawal. Chantix also stops brain receptors from reacting to nicotine. Smoking cessation medications should be started one full week prior to your quit date. Prescription inhalers and nicotine nasal spray deliver a dose of nicotine into your blood stream while avoiding your lungs. You need to already have quit smoking before starting a nicotine replacement regimen like prescription inhalers and nasal sprays.
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