Part 1 of 9: Overview
So, you’ve decided to become a former
smoker? Congratulations! Nearly four out of five smokers want to quit. Every
year, 40 percent of American smokers finally attempt it.
Before you start, it is important to remember
this; research shows that the most success comes to smokers who use more than
one method to fight their cravings and withdrawals. Despite your best efforts,
you may not succeed the first time. But because you have already committed
yourself to quitting, you are one step closer to being a former smoker.
Start by researching all your options
to find the best strategy for you. You might want to do this in collaboration
with your doctor, because the right thing for you may require a prescription.
It is also wise to have a doctor involved to monitor you for any side effects
or possible complications.
Here are some of the more common and
proven treatment options and why they may be right for you.
Part 2 of 9: Patch
Nicotine patches are available over
the counter and are generally easy to use.
How Does It Work?
The patch is designed to release a
steady dose of nicotine throughout the day. As cravings and withdrawal symptoms
decrease, you can begin to reduce the length of time you wear a patch or switch
to a patch with lower dosage strength. However, if you have sudden cravings or
severe symptoms of withdrawal, you may be left unable to quickly satiate them.
The patches are not designed for an instantaneous shot of nicotine and you cannot
smoke with the patch or you risk nicotine overdose that can cause heart attack
and paralysis
Who Should Use the Patch?
Many people trying to quit can
benefit from using the patch. It is simple to use and easy to apply. Most
nicotine replacement patches have been designed to wean users off very
carefully through controlled dosages. But because you won’t be able to handle
intense cravings or symptoms of withdrawal, it might not be the best option to
try first. Many people try other aids at first so they can control symptoms
more immediately.
Part 3 of 9: Gum
Nicotine gums are available over the
counter. They work for a great number of people who are trying to quit. But
this is no typical chewing gum.
How Does It Work?
Nicotine gums must be used in a
specified manner in order to work properly. Instead of chewing endlessly, the
gum is chewed for a few minutes and then placed between your gum and inner
cheek for about 30 minutes. You don’t get an endless supply of chewing gum,
either. Instead, you follow a schedule of one piece every one to two hours. As
your cravings subside and the withdrawal symptoms become more manageable, you
can reduce the dosage in the gum or chew less often.
Who Should Use Gum?
People may choose the nicotine
chewing gum because they need to satisfy an oral activity craving, something an
actual cigarette fulfilled. Unlike the patch, the gum can provide a quick boost
of nicotine in the event of severe cravings or withdrawal symptoms. However, if
you follow the schedule, this shouldn’t be a problem. If you have a hard time
keeping track of a schedule or don’t think you would be able to chew gum on a
regular basis (because of work or social commitments), this may not be the best
aid for you.
Part 4 of 9: Inhaler
The goal of all nicotine-replacement
therapies is to provide the body with as pure a form of nicotine as possible
without all the carcinogenic additives found in cigarettes. Many smokers crave
the feeling of having smoke in their mouths—something neither patches nor
chewing gum can provide. Enter nicotine inhalers.
How Does It Work?
These prescription devices work by
vaporizing liquid nicotine for you to inhale. The nicotine is then absorbed in
the mouth and throat and delivers a quick nicotine boost. As the body grows
accustomed to less and less nicotine, you will gradually stop using the inhaler
until you’ve fully quit.
Who Should Use Inhalers?
You may be giving yourself an
inhalation treatment six to 16 times a day when you start. If taking the time
out of your schedule to provide this treatment will complicate work or social
schedules, the inhaler may not be for you. The use of inhalers is also limited
due to possible complications and side effects in sensitive groups—the elderly,
women who are pregnant or may become pregnant, and women who are nursing.
Part 5 of 9: Electronic Cigarette
Similar to how the nicotine inhaler
supplies pure nicotine through the mouth and esophagus, nicotine nasal spray
delivers through the nose.
How Does It Work?
Nasal sprays use a liquid-to-spray
route to make absorbing the nicotine easier. Your doctor will set up the best
dosage plan for you; most suggest one to two doses per hour. As your cravings
decrease, you will work with your doctor to reduce the number of doses each day
until you no longer need the spray at all.
Who Should Use Sprays?
As with the inhaler, sprays require
frequent treatment, and unlike chewing gums, this treatment is less than
discreet. If you will not be able to maintain the schedule for work or social
reasons, a spray may not be the best aid for you. If you also have
complications inhaling medicine through your nose, nasal spray might not be
pleasant or effective for you.
Part 6 of 9: Medications
Electronic cigarettes, also known as
e-cigarettes, are battery-operated devices shaped like a traditional cigarette.
How Does It Work?
Users inhale from e-cigarettes the
same way they would traditional cigarettes, but instead of inhaling nicotine
mixed with other potentially dangerous chemicals, the e-cigarette turns a purer
form of liquid nicotine into a vapor. Some people believe e-cigarettes are
safer than traditional cigarettes and prefer to smoke them; others use
e-cigarettes as a nicotine-replacement therapy to quit.
Who Should Use E-Cigarettes?
E-cigarette makers claim their
products are safer than traditional cigarettes, but the Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) does not recommend these devices because they have not
been evaluated for safety. (Some individual analyses have shown the vapor to be
toxic and possibly contain carcinogens.) Until more is known about
e-cigarettes, this may not be a safe alternative for people looking to quit.
A couple of drugs have been approved
by the FDA for smoking cessation. They do not contain nicotine, so it is
recommended that they be used in conjunction with nicotine-replacement therapy.
How Does It Work?
Unlike nicotine-replacement
therapies, prescription medicines like bupropion SR (Zyban, Wellbutrin) or
varenicline (Chantix) do not provide your body with nicotine. Instead, they
reduce cravings and lessen withdrawal symptoms by altering chemicals and
nicotine receptors in your brain. Both medicines require doctor supervision and
prescription—many insurance companies pay for prescription smoking-cessation
aids. The FDA also requires that both medicines carry a black box warning;
that’s the strongest safety warning the FDA can issue about a prescription
medication. The reasons for these warnings: Bupropion may cause suicidal
thoughts or behaviors, depression, and hostility. Patients taking varenicline
report increased risk of falls and road accidents, as well as vision troubles
and vivid or unusual dreams.
Who Should Take Medications?
Unlike with nicotine-replacement
therapies, neither of these drugs contains nicotine, so the risk of nicotine
overdose is small. For that reason, you may still be able to smoke the first
few weeks of using these drugs (unless you are also using a
nicotine-replacement therapy at the same time). That is a plus for many smokers
who are trying to quit.
Part 7 of 9: Alternative Therapies
Research does not always support
alternative therapies with hard evidence, but many former smokers who have used
these techniques swear by them. In your quest to quit, you may find one or more
of these helpful. While nicotine-replacement therapies or prescription
medications can subdue your cravings and whittle away at your withdrawal
symptoms, you may find you are still battling the desire to smoke.
How Do They Work?
Hypnotherapy or hypnosis may help
identify unconscious triggers—things that make your body crave a cigarette
without your understanding the underlying reason, like a time of day or a
certain odor. The therapist may then try to replace your unhealthy
cigarette-smoking response to these triggers with something more healthful.
Acupuncture—a therapy in which tiny needles are used to stimulate certain
points on the body—may help reduce nicotine cravings and ease withdrawal
symptoms. Meditation can help you relax and ease anxiety. Quitting smoking can
be stressful and frustrating, and meditation may help you ease the angst you
experience.
Who Should Use Alternative Therapies?
Most of these can be used in
conjunction with other therapies. In fact many doctors and therapists will
recommend a multidimensional approach to beating your addiction.
Part 8 of 9: Counseling
The use of medication
(nicotine-replacement therapies included) more than doubles your likelihood for
success. But study after study also shows the importance of therapy and
counseling when fighting an addiction.
How Does It Work?
Counseling provides you the
opportunity to ask questions, learn from others’ experiences, and prepare for
the next stage of your journey.
Who Should Use Counseling?
Almost everyone can benefit from some
type of counseling or support when trying to quit smoking. Whether it is
one-on-one with a therapist or in a group setting with fellow future
nonsmokers, it is important to talk to others about what you are experiencing
and ask for the additional accountability you will need to see your journey
through to the end.