Quitting cigarettes "cold turkey" means that you completely cut smoking out of your life without first cutting back. When you attempt to quit cold turkey, you will likely experience several common symptoms of nicotine withdrawal, including strong cravings for cigarettes, frustration, sleeplessness, increased appetite and muddled thinking. Without medicinal help, these withdrawal symptoms can become severe for heavy smokers. You can increase your chances of quitting cold turkey successfully in two ways. You can utilize nicotine replacement therapy, which involves chewing nicotine gum, applying a nicotine path or using one of a number of other products. Or, you can take prescription medications that reduce withdrawal symptoms but do not contain nicotine.
Nicotine Replacement Therapy
Step 1
Choose a nicotine replacement product to try. Two of the most widely used over-the-counter products are nicotine gum and the nicotine patch. Because they do not require a prescription, you should start with one of these.
Step 2
Use the correct dosage of your nicotine replacement product. If you smoke more than 10 cigarettes per day, you should chew a piece of 4mg nicotine gum each time you have the urge to smoke; alternatively, you could use the highest dose patch--21mg--for six weeks before moving to two weeks of the 14mg patch, and then finally to two weeks of the 7mg patch. If you smoke fewer than 10 cigarettes per day, chew the 2mg gum or start with the 14mg patch.
Step 3
Ask your doctor for a prescription nicotine inhaler or nasal spray if the gum and patch do not work for you. Use the inhaler or nasal spray only as directed by your doctor.
Medicines Without Nicotine
Step 1
Talk to your doctor about non-nicotine medications that can help you quit, such as bupropion SR and varenicline. Bupropion SR diminishes withdrawal symptoms and the urge to smoke. Varenicline eases withdrawal symptoms and blocks the effects of nicotine from cigarettes.
Step 2
Start taking either medication on a weekend or during a short vacation; each one causes side effects that may hinder your performance at work, so you should give yourself time to adjust. The side effects of bupropion SR include dry mouth and sleeplessness; the side effects of varenicline include nausea and vivid dreams.
Step 3
Take the medication as directed by your doctor. Missing a dose can cause nicotine withdrawal symptoms to reappear. Taking too much of either medication can cause extreme side effects.
Things You'll Need
- Nicotine replacement product, or
- Withdrawal medication
