Saturday, February 7, 2015

Tips on how to quit smoking

It does not matter whether you are a teenager or an older person with a habit of smoking, quitting is always a tough thing to do. However, there are various methods which you can use to effectively quit smoking. Tobacco smoking is a very addictive habit that is tough to stop, that’s why many tobacco smokers continuously seek for various techniques on how to stop smoking. Cigarettes contain nicotine which can provide a temporary but addictive high. As a result, completely withdrawing the use of nicotine will cause your body to start experiencing cravings for the drug as well as withdrawal symptoms. Nicotine has a feel good effect on your brain, which then associates smoking with a way of dealing with stress, boredom or even depression. Smoking is also ingrained as a daily ritual and may be an automatic response for you to smoke. However, there are various methods which can be used to help you quit smoking.


Nicotine replacement therapy: this therapy consists of products such as gum, nasal sprays, nicotine patches and inhalers. These methods of quitting smoking give you doses of nicotine with the aim of helping to gradually stop the habit of smoking while you continuously use less and less nicotine. Using nicotine replacement therapy, it is possible for you to become addicted to a nicotine substitute. Therefore, you have to be very careful.
Stop smoking drugs: these are prescription medications that are designed to reduce the withdrawal and craving symptoms. Drugs such as Zyban and Chantix help to undo the part of your brain that had become rewired by the nicotine. However, this method is not guaranteed to make you quit smoking.
• Herbal products: these products offer a natural option to the nicotine replacement therapy and prescription drugs. Some herds are known to create a similar effect on the brain like nicotine, but non-addictive. Other herbs deal with symptoms such as quitter’s flu and irritability.
Cutting down gradually: you can reduce your nicotine intake. This is done by reducing the number of cigarettes you smoke in a day. You can also try delaying to smoke whenever you feel the need to smoke. However, your final quitting date should be no more than two weeks after your start.
Stop smoking plan: there are people who can quit smoking quite easily than others. Creating a solid stop smoking plan will have to include a quit date. The help of your friends and family is also encouraged considering the challenges that you will face after the set quit date. You should also get rid of all tobacco related items in your home, car and work place. You should also speak to a doctor about some treatments for nicotine addiction.
• Other ways: there are ways that can help you to quit smoking that do not involve nicotine replacement therapy or prescribed drugs. Such methods include behavioral therapy, nicotine vaccination and hypnosis.

The question on how to quit smoking is a challenge to every addicted smoker. However, finding the easiest method of achieving this has to be a personal choice because you may react differently as compared to somebody else.

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