It can be difficult to quit smoking. Part of this is because tobacco contains nicotine, which works to stimulate the brain. Over time, the brain gets used to nicotine, and when you try to quit smoking, your brain craves the nicotine, causing you to want to smoke. Smokers often need many attempts to quit smoking, because it is easy to have a relapse. Fortunately, it is easier to quit smoking for good if you have a thought-out plan.
Step 1
Have a specific reason for quitting in mind. It is easier to stop smoking--for good--if you have a goal that stopping smoking will help you accomplish. It can be for your health, to help you be more athletic or so you can save money for a special purpose.
Step 2
Use medications that help reduce your cravings, such as varenicline. Varenicline blocks the nicotine receptors in your brain, helping reduce your nicotine cravings and reducing the effects of nicotine. You need to take varenicline for at least two weeks before you quit smoking for it to be most effective. Continue taking it once you have successfully quit to help you avoid a relapse.
Step 3
Keep a journal of when you smoke each day and what you are doing when you smoke. Use this journal to help identify your "triggers" (times and activities when you usually smoke). Once you know your triggers, avoid them or come up with other things to do instead once you decide to quit.
Step 4
Use nicotine replacement therapy. Nicotine replacement therapy comes in the form of nicotine-containing gum, lozenges, nasal sprays or skin patches to help replace the nicotine in your system, to help reduce your craving to smoke.
Step 5
Continue to be aware of your smoking triggers and either plan other things to do around them or try to avoid them. Follow this line of thinking even once you have quit smoking.
Things You'll Need
- Varenicline
- Journal
- Nicotine replacement products
