The desire to quit smoking is admirable, both because it is challenging and because it will improve overall health. Smoking is an addiction that has physical and mental aspects, and both sides of this addiction must be addressed if success is to be achieved. With each passing day of not smoking, the body is able to repair itself at the cellular level. While a person may fail on occasion and pick up a cigarette, he has only truly failed if he gives up trying to quit.
Nicotine Replacement
According to Mayo Clinic physicians, nicotine replacement comes in several different forms. There are patches, gum, lozenges and inhalers that all deliver different amounts of nicotine to the individual who is attempting to give up smoking. Each product has pros and cons with regard to the delivery method and side effects. For instance, gum and lozenges can stick to dental work, lozenges can cause nausea, indigestion and heartburn, and inhalers can cause coughing and throat irritation. However, nicotine replacement products reduce the cravings for cigarettes and help increase the rate of success to quit smoking.
Eliminating Triggers
A smoking addiction has a mental component that has to be addressed in order for any program to be successful. According to the Help Guide, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping people resolve challenges, smoking fulfills both a physical and a mental or emotional need. When the physical addiction has been eliminated, the emotional need for a cigarette can continue to sabotage efforts to quit smoking. The Help Guide recommends stress reduction, relaxation techniques, eliminating social situations where smoking was common, getting up directly after a meal and maintaining steady blood sugar levels to decrease the mental aspect of nicotine addiction.
Medication
The American Cancer Society suggests that people who are attempting to quit smoking consider the use of prescription medications. Under the advice and recommendations of a primary care physician, certain prescription medications can increase the potential of success. Current medications that are useful include bupropion, varenicline, nortriptyline and clonidine. The latter two are medications that have been on the market for many years and used primarily for other medical conditions. Bupropion is an antidepressant that has been found to help with nicotine withdrawal but does not contain nicotine. Varenicline was developed specifically to help people stop smoking by interfering with nicotine receptors in the brain.
