Smoking is a hard habit to quit. What makes it harder is that most smokers understand that smoking increases the chances of heart disease, lung cancer and high blood pressure. But if 46 million Americans have
quit smoking, you too can do it, even if it means taking a few more tries.
There is no one right way to
quit smoking. Even though there are numerous programs, medications and counseling sessions, the will to quit is most important. Unless you are prepared to face the challenge and sustain the will power, no support program or medication can work for you. Some of the following tips can help you quit smoking:
- Set up a quit date: When you have decided to quit smoking, set up a date with your signature on the piece of paper.
- Make a list of the positives and negatives of smoking: Director of the Clinical Psychiatric Research Center at George Washington University Medical Center in Washington, D.C. Daniel Z. Lieberman, M.D. suggests to take a paper and draw a line at the center of the paper. On one side write all the things you love about smoking and on the other side all the things you don’t like about smoking. When the negative points of smoking outweighs the positives, then you are ready to quit smoking.
- Stop buying the carton: After you have decided to quit smoking, don’t buy the pack of cigarettes but simply carry two or three in your pocket.
- Divert your mind: When you desire to crave for that cigarette, divert your mind into some game or read a magazine or just listen to some music.
- Share your feelings: Instead of bottling up your emotions, share it with friends, family and co-workers on how you are feeling when you are not smoking.
Many smokers try on their own to
quit smoking without seeking any treatment. But even if they are successful initially, it has been found that they take to
smoking after a few weeks. Medications fall under two broad categories: nicotine replacement therapy and non-nicotine medications.
Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT):
Most nicotine substitutes are available over the counter. These medicines help in reducing the withdrawal symptoms and the cravings that one experience while trying to quit
smoking. You can use a nicotine patch, nicotine gum or nicotine lozenge for NRT. Nicotine patch allows nicotine to flow into the bloodstream through the skin. Nicotine gum delivers nicotine from the lining of the mouth to the blood while nicotine lozenge dissolves in your mouth and allows nicotine to flow to the blood from the mouth. Nicotine inhaler and nicotine nasal spray are available only through prescriptions.
Non-nicotine medications include nicotine vaccine, anti depressants and Chantix. You can also take help of counseling and support groups that engage in
smoking cessation programs. These support groups and programs also help in quitting smoking.
