How To Quit Smoking

A ccording to the CDC, cigarette smoking is “the leading cause of preventable disease and death in the United States”, however on a positive note, smoking rates in the United States have been in constant decline over the last decade. If you are a smoker and want to quit, there a plenty of options to assist you in your quest for a healthier lifestyle. Studies have indicated that with the use of a ‘smoking cessation’ tool, you are twice as likely to successfully kick the habit. Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) Nicotine Replacement Therapies include tools like nicotine gum, skin patches and lozenges. For ease of access, these options are great - most are available over-the-counter, without a prescription. They are designed for short term use though and focus only on limiting cravings. NRTs release a small dose of nicotine into your system helping you to deal with symptoms of withdrawal. You’ll still need to work on eradicating all nicotine from your body and addressing the psychological components of your habit. Nicotine-free Prescription Drugs Products like Chantix and Zyban are a little tougher to get as they require prescription, but the big benefit here is that they contain no nicotine, meaning your body starts to reduce its dependence on cigarettes. There are known side effects though and these can include nausea, difficulty sleeping, or changes in mood. These drugs work by reducing the ‘rewarding’ effects of nicotine. Behavioural Therapies For those who aren’t keen on putting more foreign substances in their bodies, there are some therapies that can help you quit for good. Hypnotherapy has proven successful for some, by making ‘suggestions’ to the brain that it no longer craves nicotine. Counselling from a medical doctor or trained therapist has also resulted in success for some smokers and using tools like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy can help you cope with withdrawal symptoms and the desire to smoke. These tools do not address the physical addiction though and it may be useful to couple therapy with a nicotine replacement tool.