As time goes on, smokers have more and more ways to quit smoking. Here are four methods that have been used by thousands of smokers:
Quit Smoking by Going "Cold Turkey"
Quitting smoking by simply stopping - going "cold turkey" - is the oldest form of quitting. Many people over the years have quit their addiction this way. Stopping without any help involves immense willpower.
The advantages of quitting smoking cold turkey are that the most severe physical withdrawal symptoms are gone after three days. The psychological addiction takes longer to overcome but is easier to fight once the physical cravings have subsided. It also costs less than other methods.
Disadvantages to quitting this way include, of course, more severe withdrawal symptoms. Often, the quitter will feel tense, anxious, and nervous the first several days and may be irritable and find himself short tempered. Fortunately, these symptoms do subside over time. The quitter may find it hard to sleep or enjoy anything for a day or so.
Here are some things the cold turkey quitter can do to help herself through the roughest spots:
- Distraction. Sometimes just distracting oneself from the thoughts of wanting to smoke will help until the craving subsides. Taking a short walk or calling a friend can be helpful activities.
- Drinking a glass of water can sometimes help the quitter through a rough patch.
- Chewing activities will frequently help, things like chewing gum, eating sunflower seeds, or munching on baby carrots.
Nicotine Replacements Can Help Smokers Quit
Some people do better slowly easing themselves into quitting. One way to go about it is by using nicotine replacements, such as nicotine gum or a nicotine patch.
The advantages of using nicotine replacement is that the smoker doesn't experience full-blown nicotine withdrawal all at once. He gradually eases himself into quitting, slowly using less and less gum or fewer patches, and while he is slowly weaning himself off the nicotine, he is also replacing his habits (for example, he is not smoking a cigarette after every meal; instead, he is applying a patch to his forearm).
Disadvantages to this kind of quitting include prolonging the withdrawal experience. While the quitter is no longer inhaling smoke, he is still getting his "nicotine fix." Also, the quitter needs to use caution; it is thought to be dangerous to smoke while wearing the patch because it can cause excess levels of nicotine in the body. Finally, the cost might seem prohibitive to some. One pack of 100 pieces of gum can cost over $50. But if a quitter is no longer buying cigarettes, it may be worth the cost.
Some Smokers Quit with the Help of Antidepressants
If a smoker's doctor prescribes an antidepressant, it might help him quit smoking. Doctors will often prescribe the antidepressant buproprion (known by the brand names Zyban and Wellbutrin) for smokers who want to quit. It is thought to aid in the quitting process because it helps ease withdrawal symptoms like anxiety and irritability.
Advantages of using buproprion are that the smoker can gradually stop smoking, and she isn't replacing one form of nicotine for another, as in the case of the patch. Using buproprion is also likely to make the process easier than quitting cold turkey.
Disadvantages are that one is taking a drug for which there are side effects, just like any other drug. Further, it is only available by prescription, so a smoker must talk with her doctor. Buproprion can cost about $1 per pill, so it costs more than quitting cold turkey but likely wouldn't cost as much as nicotine replacement products. Plus, some people's insurance could possibly cover part of the cost.
One of the Newest Ways to Quit Smoking: Varenicline
Varenicline, known more by its brand name Chantix, is another way people can quit smoking. Varenicline blocks the smoker's nicotine receptors so he doesn't experience the stimulation he normally would from nicotine.
Advantages of using varenicline are that the smoker gradually decreases and then stops smoking and experiences fewer physical withdrawal symptoms than she would with other methods.
One disadvantages of quitting using varenicline is that varenicline is still a relatively new drug, so its cost is quite prohibitive; often a month's supply runs over $100 and many insurance companies will not pay a portion of the cost. Also, like any other medication, varenicline has side effects. Finally, the smoker must also get a prescription from his doctor before he can take the drug.
Smokers Have Options When it Comes to Quitting
Today, smokers have many choices when they decide they're ready to quit. No matter what method a smoker uses to quit, he should also look into support groups in his area and ask for the support of his friends and family. It's always best to set a specific quit date as well.
Quitting smoking isn't easy but is likely one of the most important decisions a smoker will make in her life. She needs to decide which method works best for her lifestyle and wallet and then go for it!
RES101
Cynthia Jones-Shoeman - Cynthia (“Cindy”) Jones-Shoeman earned her MA in English from Colorado State University in 2007; her thesis was "Toni ...
