1. Getting Help
If you've thought about quitting smoking but have put it off because you think it's too difficult or that you'll never succeed, it may be time to re-evaluate your options. There are countless ways that health-care professionals can help you to quit--if you really want to. The first thing to do before embarking on any smoking cessation program is convince yourself of the value of quitting. Smoking is the single most preventable cause of heart disease and premature death. Fortunately, it's also the easiest risk factor to manage. Before you begin, acknowledge that you are addicted to smoking and that you need help--that you can't handle quitting by yourself. Next, evaluate your options: Tapering down, quitting cold turkey, attending Nicotine Anonymous meetings, using the patch or using Nicorette chewing gum. They all have benefits and drawbacks. Finally, don't get discouraged if you fail. Most people who quit cigarette smoking need to take several runs at it. If you do slip up, get up, brush yourself off and start again. And most important, be easy on yourself--you're only human.
2. Great Resources for Quitting Smoking
There are a number of good programs to help you to quit smoking. Call or visit the websites for the American Cancer Society, the American Lung Association or the American Heart Association. You can also investigate alternative programs like the Schick-Shadel Treatment Centers or Smokenders. If you think you might need to speak with someone to help evaluate your options, try calling 1-800-QUIT NOW. Trained counselors are available to help you decide if this is the time to quite and what program is best for you. Another valuable resource is the National Cancer Institute's Smoking Quitline, 1-877-44U-QUIT. Nicotine Anonymous offers free group meetings that are based on the Alcoholics Anonymous 12-step program. There are a variety of different types of meetings, every day of the week. And, if none of those fit into your schedule, create your own meeting!
3. Help From Your Pharmacist
For those that feel that they are hopelessly hooked on cigarettes and need to quit for health reasons, an in-patient smoking cessation program may be for you. Two excellent programs are offered at The Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN and St. Helena Hospital in Northern California. If you've decided to go at it alone, you may be interested in chewing Nicorette gum, using "the patch" or taking Zyban. Nicorette comes in 5 different flavors and is designed to replace the nicotine you would normally ingest while smoking cigarettes. It is designed to help counteract the physical symptoms of quitting smoking. The patch (available as Nicoderm CQ) is a "transdermal" patch that slowly releases nicotine to the body through the skin. Similar to Nicorette, the patch is available in various concentrations--you begin with a stronger dose and scale the dosage down over time. Zyban is a prescription drug that helps to alleviate the cravings smokers experience when they first quit smoking. Before you begin any smoking cessation program, check with your doctor to see which approach is right for you.
