Anyone who has tried to quit smoking understands the difficulty of eliminating this habit. Nicotine is extremely addictive, and it has been compared to illicit drugs like heroine for this characteristic. Many people try smoking cessation several times before they find a technique that works. It is important to understand that not a ll methods are suited to everyone. One should not give up when the first method is ineffective. For those interested in stopping smoking there are a lot of options available these days.
It is rare that a person can just quit without the withdrawal symptoms forcing him or her to return to the habit. The “cold turkey” method works for a few individuals, but most people need a little more help. Nicotine replacement products are used to wean a smoker from cigarettes gradually. These come in the form of chewing gum, lozenges, inhalers, or patches. The gum is available in several flavors and dosage strengths. One can chew a piece any time he or she craves a smoke. This is not a good option for people with dental or jaw problems, and some folks will not like the taste of the gum.
In these cases the lozenges may be a better substitute because these will simply dissolve in the mouth. Inhalers are plastic tubes shaped like cigarettes that use nicotine cartridges and do not emit smoke. They are good for those who miss the habitual action of holding and puffing on the cigarette. The patches provide nicotine to the bloodstream gradually through the day via the skin. They are available in different dosages so the person can wean down over a specific period of time. All of these options will often include a special disposal container and calendar tools to plan out the dosage adjustments.
There are also prescription medicines available to help a patient eliminate cravings. Buproprion is one of the first drugs approved for smoking cessation. It is actually an anti-depressant, but it is used to treat many other conditions such as discontinuation symptoms associated with other medications. Chantix is another medication that treats nicotine withdrawal symptoms. There is always a risk of side effects with prescription medications that alter brain chemistry, so one should be aware of the possible adverse reactions when considering them.
Some smokers have had success with hypnotism for stopping smoking. This treatment involves a therapist who places the patient in a calm state. While in this state, the smoker is given suggestions that make him or her not want to smoke. The person will likely need several sessions, but the desire to use tobacco should lessen as the person attends more sessions. This method is a bit controversial and it can be costly, but there are people who have successfully quit using hypnotism.
Regardless of which technique one uses, stopping smoking is one of the best health choices one can make. No one can expect to have success the very first time he or she attempts smoking cessation. However, any method can be enhanced when the individual joins a support group either in person or online.
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