Quit Smoking Aides
Stop Smoking Gum, Patches, Prescriptions and More
After years of smoking, you have to gradually get your body back to full operating potential without nicotine overload. That’s why your withdrawal will be eased somewhat using some of the popular options such as gum, patches or prescription medications to help your body reduce its nicotine dependence.
Going “cold turkey” is another option, but some say it’s rarely successful and can be harmful to your body. However, others have found it’s the only way to go, so we’ll discuss all of your options here and let you do the choosing!
As a smoker, you’re used to the oral gratification smoking delivers, so it makes sense that you miss that stimulation. Nicotine gum gives your mouth something to do in place of smoking and provides just enough nicotine to help your withdrawal symptoms.
Nicotine gum is available in various strengths - from one to four milligrams. You’ll start with the higher strength of nicotine, and then decrease the potency until you no longer need it.
At that point, just buy ordinary sugarless gum and you can enjoy the chewing without the nicotine. If chewing gum isn’t appealing to you, consider using the nicotine patch.
It’s so easy to use - just put the patch on your upper arm in the morning while you’re getting dressed. That’s all you have to do to be covered for the full day. The patch is designed to slowly release just the right amount of nicotine through your skin and into your bloodstream as you go about your daily activities.
As a result, the patch can be more consistent in managing the nicotine levels than chewing gum. As with the gum, you start with a higher nicotine patch and then reduce the amount needed to get you through the day.
The nicotine patch is also effective in helping people who are trying to stop using smokeless tobacco, too. While gum and patches are popular for smoking cessation, there are other options as well.
Nicotine nasal spray is available only by prescription. The spray delivers a powerful punch of nicotine rapidly into the bloodstream. Nicotine inhalers give some of the satisfaction of inhaling that’s familiar from smoking.
You can also get nicotine in lip balms or lozenges. One option, the nicotine lollipop, isn’t available in the United States, since it was banned by the FDA. In choosing a product, think of how you relate to smoking.
Nicotine gums, or lozenges give you a replacement for the oral gratification of smoking, which may further help curb the drive. To substitute the action of smoking, an inhaler gives the motions that are familiar.
If any of these alternatives are inconvenient for you - or your schedule is erratic and you worry that you might forget to use them, then the nicotine patch is ideal for you because it is the least intrusive, “set and forget” option available.
There are prescription medicines doctors will sometimes provide to you that help curb cravings. Some are potentially harmful, such as the FDA’s warning about Chantix, a drug that was once approved as a smoking cessation tool.
After being approved, it was found to possibly pose a connection to suicidal thoughts in those taking the drug. It’s also been reported to cause drowsiness and mood changes, so if you’re thinking of using this drug, be cautious about its effect on you.
Volunteers are testing a new vaccine where you would quit smoking because the nicotine wouldn’t be effective in your body. While only 16% were able to quit smoking, those who couldn’t quit completely were able to reduce their habit significantly.
Alternative Approaches to Smoking Cessation
Maybe you tried the gums or lozenges and didn’t have as much success as you hoped you would have. Or you want to get completely away from the oral gratification approach because it just reminds you of smoking!
The alternative methods for smoking cessation can actually be faster than the nicotine replacement therapies. Hypnosis has long been a highly effective method for smoking cessation.
Forget what you see in the movie. Hypnosis isn’t some voodoo spell - it’s simply supporting your desire by training your subconscious mind to receive stop smoking suggestions.
The secret of hypnosis is that no one can make you do anything you don’t want to do. But if you really do want to stop smoking, hypnosis works for many people in just one or two sessions.
Once the subconscious mind is freed from a false belief that smoking is necessary to reduce stress, as an integral part of socializing or for a pleasurable nicotine rush, then it’s much easier for the subconscious mind to support the conscious goal to stop smoking.
Acupuncture and acupressure are usually associated with medical conditions – particularly, pain management. These therapies are also very useful for smoking cessation.
Acupuncture originated from Chinese medicine and has been used for over 3,000 years. It works by balancing the “chi” or energy within the body. The tiny needles used aren’t painful, yet they act to reduce the body’s craving for nicotine.
For some people, the desire to smoke disappears in a few days after the first treatment. Acupressure is similar as far as seeking to re-balance the body - only it’s done with massage-like pressure rather than needles.
Laser therapy blends the high technology of lasers with the centuries-old techniques of acupuncture. In place of the acupuncture needles, a low-power laser beam is used.
Just as acupuncturists target the earlobes as a significant pressure point to curb cravings, the laser pulse is also aimed at the earlobes. There’s no pain or burning. It feels warm, like sitting under a light bulb.
After treatment, you feel relaxed and refreshed. What actually happens is a release of endorphins - the body’s feel good hormone - which creates a sense of well being that’s more satisfying than nicotine.
Hypnosis, acupuncture, acupressure and laser therapies may seem to be more expensive than gums or patches, but you have to weigh the benefits against the costs.
If you can stop smoking in one or two sessions of these treatments, even if you pay $50 to $100 each, then you can be financially ahead compared to the price of keeping your cigarette habit alive.
Using gum, inhalers or patches costs less per purchase, but if you use them daily for months, then you’re likely spending more money in the end. Plus, you’re prolonging the withdrawal process, which is frustrating and gives you more chances to relapse.
Hypnosis is so effective that many hospitals and medical centers sponsor Smoking Cessation with Hypnosis programs. Acupuncture and acupressure are still more eastern medicine than western medicine, but are readily available from competent practitioners.
Laser therapy for smoking cessation is the new kid on the block. You need to look around for a physician, medical-spa or stop smoking clinic that offers this therapy. Lasers may seem a bit like Star Wars technology, but they’re wonderful tools for healing.
