New Year’s resolutions often fall by the wayside well before summertime, especially for people that are looking to quit smoking. With these best options for quitting smoking, you can help to increase the odds of this year being the one where you kick the habit for good! Stopping smoking is great for your health, but when you approach the change with a broader set of goals, such as becoming healthier overall, you can feel more inspired to keep off the cigarettes and resist temptation. Do not get discouraged as you set out, as it is difficult to quit cold turkey, and you may get better results by weaning yourself off the nicotine.
Nicotine Patches and Gum - if you are a hard-core smoker and have built up a major tolerance to and reliance on nicotine, weaning yourself off of the drug in a gradual manner may be your best bet. This option will allow you to get your nicotine fix from an alternate source rather than returning to cigarettes. It can be helpful to work with your doctor or another medical provider when utilizing this method. Check with your state’s health department to see what discounts they can provide when purchasing smoking cessation products such as Nicoderm CQ, GoodSense Lozenges, and Nicorette gum. Your family doctor may also have access to discounted products that will help you to quit smoking.
Highlights:
- Good for people who have built up a higher tolerance
- Patches and gums help people quit gradually
- Discounts sometimes available through state health departments
Prescription medications such as Chantix and Zyban are appropriate for users that are currently smoking more than a pack a day, smoke within 5 minutes of waking up and getting out of bed, wake up during the night and need to smoke, and that continue smoking even when they are trying to quit in order to ease withdrawal symptoms. Chantix will reduce the pleasure that you get from smoking and thus help you to stop completely. This drug is taken for a 12-week course which may be extended if it is necessary to keep the patient from starting smoking again.
Zyban is good for people that do not consume a lot of alcohol or have any mental conditions such as bipolar disorder. This antidepressive medication has proven effective in easing cravings and to keep people from returning to smoking because they feel too on edge. Speak with your primary caregiver to find out more about which prescription medications may be effective for you.
Highlights:
- Zyban is an antidepressant
- Chantix taken for 12 weeks
- Zyban helps curb cravings
Alternative treatments such as hypnotism, meditation, increased exercise and overall lifestyle changes are growing in popularity as more doctors realize that adding complementary treatments to the patient’s broader course of treatment has proven quite successful. As you are quitting smoking it is important to remember that you are creating a healthier lifestyle for yourself and to build on that success. Many organizations such as the American Lung Association and other medical groups offer courses and classes geared toward people that are trying to quit smoking. Take advantage of all the options that are available to you, and you will likely be more successful! Quitting smoking is not easy and it may take more than one try, but the benefits are definitely worth the struggle!
Highlights:
- Alternative treatments are becoming more popular
- American Lung Association offers helpful programs
- Lifestyle changes are helpful