Nicotine is an addictive, psychoactive drug that activates the pleasure center of the brain. People who begin smoking at a young age are more likely to become addicted to smoking later in life, according to the Center for Young Women's Health. The website eHealthMD reports that people who smoke die on average 10 to 15 years before they would have if they never picked up the habit. When it comes to treating a smoking addiction, cold turkey does not work for most people.
Step 1
Pick a date. Choosing a quit date has a lot to do with your success. If you are going to use a nicotine replacement therapy, known as NRT, like a nicotine inhaler or gum, you may need to start the NRT a few days prior to quitting.
Step 2
Use a nicotine replacement therapy. There are a variety of NRTs to choose from including nicotine gum and lozenges, a nicotine inhaler, patch and electronic cigarettes. NRTs work by injecting a small amount of nicotine into your bloodstream, which curbs your withdrawal symptoms. According to New York's Erie County Department of Health, NRTs are much less harmful than smoking. Nicotine gums, lozenges and the patch, for example, do not have tar, carbon monoxide and the thousands of carcinogenic chemicals that are found in cigarettes.
Step 3
Avoid places that tempt you to smoke. In addiction circles like Nicotine Anonymous, there's a slogan that goes "People, places and things." It means that if you frequent places or spend time with people who bring up pleasurable memories of smoking, you're more at risk for relapsing.
Step 4
Join a smoking cessation group. Nicotine Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who help each other live nicotine-free. There is no fee for joining. If you prefer even more anonymity, consider an online forum for people who want to quit smoking. Smokefree.gov offers counseling with real-time text messaging, or call its smoking cessation hotline at 1-877-448-7848.
Tips and Warnings
- The National Institutes of Health reports that nicotine replacement therapy helps moderate to heavy smokers--people who smoke more than 15 cigarettes a day--the most.
- Side effects associated with NRTs include headaches, nausea, digestive problems and insomnia, especially in the first few days of being cigarette-free. Talk to your doctor before using an NRT. The National Institutes of Health reports that the patch may be harmful for people with heart and circulatory diseases. NRTs are not completely safe for pregnant women.
