In addition to being a difficult habit to kick, smoking can bring on a number of health hazards. Just some of the issues that smoking can contribute to are emphysema, heart disease, and several chronic disorders, not to mention smokers are at risk of decreasing their life expectancies by a decade or more. Trying to quit smoking has proven to be a difficult challenge for most, with an overwhelming 88 percent of smokers relapsing after less than a month after quitting.
Fortunately, there are a number of useful methods that you could implement in order to successfully quit smoking and live a better quality of life. Here are some of the most effective techniques for kicking this nasty habit:
Nicotine Replacement Therapy
The main reason people get addicted to smoking is certainly not wanting to be affected by multiple health issues. Instead, smokers have a hard time kicking their habit due to becoming addicted to the nicotine that cigarette manufacturers add to their tobacco products. Because of this addiction, it is often very difficult for smokers to go off smoking completely. What may prove more effective is nicotine replacement therapy, whereby you gradually wean off your nicotine intake.
This treatment normally takes the form of nicotine transdermal patches. These patches contain nicotine that gets absorbed by your skin so that you don’t long for the nicotine contained in cigarettes. Because the strength of these patches can be altered, it is possible to decrease the amount of nicotine released at once, thereby allowing you to decrease your dependency in gradual stages. This is a solution that is commonly recommended by medical practitioners.
Nicotine transdermal patches are not the only substitutes for cigarettes, however. There are other non-harmful products that are also commonly recommended by doctors:
- Nicotine gum: instead of attaching a patch to your skin, you can opt to chew nicotine-based chewing gum.
- Inhalers: these are prescribed by a doctor and do not contain any harmful additives. For some smokers, this is a more effective tool to help them quit smoking.
- Nasal spray: these products also require a doctor’s prescription, but can also be effective solutions for overcoming nicotine addiction.
Nicotine-Free Quit Aids
While gradually easing off of nicotine may be an effective recovery method for some people, others may prefer to cut themselves off from this addictive substance entirely. Nicotine-free quit aids can prove to be substantially helpful to people who are trying to quit smoking, provided that they are provided with an aid that suits them. Here are some effective examples:
- Bupropion: this powerful medication is known to be extremely effective at breaking nicotine dependency. As such, it is widely recommended by doctors.
- Nortriptyline: yet another effective medication that can either be taken alongside bupropion or on its own. This medication can, however, have severe side effects and thus needs to be prescribed by a doctor.
- Clonidine: like nortriptyline, clonidine can also come with severe side effects. It is, however, an effective drug that can also eradicate the need for nicotine.
Behavioral Therapy
While it is necessary to get rid of the withdrawal symptoms associated with nicotine, the habits that drive addictive behavior also need to be addressed. For example, some people make buying cigarettes a part of their daily routine, and while drugs can curb your craving for cigarettes, they can’t change your outward behavior. This may require a different form of intervention.
To truly change your behavioral patterns, consider attending behavioral therapy. By using techniques such as hypnosis, therapists can help you to realign your priorities and get over the need to purchase cigarettes. This process involves being reminded of the things that you value in your life- for example, visiting your grandchildren and excelling in your career—and understanding how smoking can compromise your enjoyment of those things. After all, the long-term benefits of looking after your true priorities far outweigh the short-term highs associated with smoking.
Don’t Hesitate-Get The Help You Need, Now!
While it may seem doable to get over smoking without help, this can become an increasingly difficult challenge as time goes by. Once you spend a few days without nicotine in your system, your craving for a cigarette will only increase exponentially. It’s no wonder why so many smokers experience a relapse soon after quitting.
Fortunately, with the right support network and treatment, it is entirely possible to quit smoking. Just make sure to do your research on the different types of recovery options that are available to you. Consult with your doctor about the various narcotic replacement options and nicotine-free aids available to you. Not only will this give you a better idea of which treatments are best for you, but you may also receive a prescription if necessary. Of course, it is also a good idea to check out the forms of behavioral therapy that are available in your area. By exploring all of your options, you can give yourself the best chance to quit your smoking habit!
The internet is always an effective and convenient place to start your search. At the click of a button, you can find information on the various treatment options available to you as well as their prices. Make sure to compare numerous offers so that you can enjoy the best possible treatment.
