Smoking Cessation

Did you know that November is National Tobacco Awareness Month? Regardless of whether or not it's November, it's never too soon to quit. Even if this is the first time you've thought about quitting, it's never too soon to start preparing for the big day. No doubt you know about the numerous health benefits associated with quitting, both for yourself and for those around you. But do you know how to quit successfully? Nicotine is addictive, which makes stopping incredibly difficult. If you are serious about quitting, there are some products that can make the withdrawal less painful.

The Steps to Quitting

Smoking is addictive in two ways. First and foremost, it can create a physical addiction, which causes smokers to experience wthdrawal symptoms. The other element of addiction is psychological. In order to quit, the smoker must be able to manage both levels of addiction. That's why there are a variety of programs and products available to help smokers end their nicotine addictions.

Physical Addiction

If you've ever tried quitting, you know the horrible feeling of withdrawal: headache, irritability, anxiety, depression, cravings and insomnia are just some of the symptoms you may get. Remember, though, these feelings will eventually subside. To help you work through the hard times there are a number of nicotine replacement products  that can reduce the unpleasant side effects of withdrawal. When used in combination with therapy to reduce the psychological dependence and gradually reducing intake over time, nicotine replacement therapy can be very effective. As with all health products, be sure to discuss all treatment options with your health care professional before starting a program and always follow proper usage instructions.

Nicotine Replacements

Below are brief descriptions of the products at your disposal to reduce physical nicotine addictions in the early stages of the cessation process. When choosing a method, make sure to pick one that will be convenient for you. If it turns into a hassle, you are more likely to give up on it.

Nicotine Patch /Transdermal System  The main benefit of using a transdermal system or "patch" is that by applying it once in the morning it will continue to supply nicotine gradually throughout the day, which reduces the amount of time you spend thinking about getting a fix. Patches are available in a variety of strengths to help ween a smoker off nicotine. Nicoderm CQ,  for example, comes in three strengths or steps. Step one supplies the highest dosage of nicotine (21 mg), step two gives 14 mg and step three lowers to 7 mg. Choosing the step on which to start depends on how much you smoke. Simply multiply the number of cigarettes you smoke in a day times 2mg to get the correct dosage. You can also choose a patch based on the amount of time you plan to wear it. For example, you may select a 24-hour patch (to help reduce morning withdrawal) or a 16-hour patch. (Note that 24-hour patches worn throughout the night have been known to cause sleep problems, nightmares and more side effects overall.) This is the least expensive method of controlling nicotine cravings at only $4 per day. Brands include Nicoderm,  CVS and RiteAid brand Nicotine Transdermal System,  Nicotrol,  One Step  and Zero Nicotine  herbal patch.	Nicotine Gum  The purpose of nicotine gum is to provide instant relief when you feel a craving coming on. The hit will be milder than a cigarette and takes about 30 minutes to completely absorb the nicotine through the mucous membranes of the mouth. This may be an excellent option for those with sensitive skin. Nicotine gum comes in two strengths, 2 mg and 4 mg. It must be used in a particular way in order to avoid stomach irritation (due to swallowing the nicotine) or cravings. Because it does contain nicotine, this gum can actually increase one's addiction to the drug. It is stongly recommended that if you choose this method, that you follow instructions exactly and only use the product for a period of six months or less. The cost varies depending on usage, but can vary from $5 to $10 a day. Popular brands include Nicorette,  Commit,  Nicoderm  and Nicotrol.	Nicotine Lozenges  Nicotine lozenges are similar to nicotine gums as they are absorbed through the mouth and can produce similar adverse reactions if swallowed. They are one of the newest types of nicotine replacements and they come in 2 mg and 4 mg doses that are used at set intervals. As a user reduces his or her addiction, the product is used less frequently. The program usually lasts 12 weeks. Since this is an oral supplement, it is ideal for controlling sudden cravings and may also help those who may simply have an oral fixation associated with smoking. Note that lozenges tend to cost more on average than the gums at about $6 to $12 a day, depending on usage. Commit  (shown) is one of the most popular brands.

Prescription Products

• Nasal Spray : When you need a fix, these offer quick and easy satisfaction at your convenience. Cost varies from $5 to $15 a day.

• Nicotine Inhalers : These plastic inhalers tend to be very effective since they closely mimic the feeling of smoking, however, they are very expensive.

• Zyban/Wellbutrin : This is a non-nicotine, anti-depressant pill that costs about $2 a day and treatment usually lasts 7 to 12 weeks. These can be helpful in combination with nicotine replacements for those who are heavily addicted to smoking.

• Chantix : These tablets are new and are non-nicotine based. Their purpose is to cut withdrawal symptoms while reducing the pleasure of smoking. The treatment period may last from 12 to 24 weeks.

Psychological Addiction

It's always helpful to cope with quitting with some outside assistance. Usually programs should last about two weeks minimum or consist of at least four half hour sessions. Depending on the amount of support you need, it may be beneficial to continue with group or individual therapy until you feel ready to go it alone. Remember that friends and family can also help support you through the cessation process.

Traditional Media Stop smoking books, CDs or tapes are sometimes used to help work through the process of quitting and can be beneficial as a secondary approach to quitting in addition to hands on therapy.	Telephone Counseling Having someone to talk to can help a lot when going through cessation. For a local counseling center in your area, call 1-800-ACS-2345 (American Cancer Society) for more info.	Quit Programs In most places there are local support groups available for people who can go to meetings and would enjoy that type of setting. Sometimes your employer, insurance company or health care professional can help you find a group in your area.

External Links

• Cancer.org: An excellent guide to quitting smoking that takes you step by step through the process of quitting, with numerous resources and facts on why you should quit from the American Cancer Society.
• AmericanHeart.org: The American Heart Organization talks about nicotine substitutes, how to use them and why they are beneficial to quitting.
• LungUSA.org: Facts about nicotine replacement therapy and nicotine substitutes from the American Lung Association.
• CDC.org: This page by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention has numerous links to helpful articles related to smoking cessation.
• WhyQuit.com: The name says it all. This is a site to help support those interested in quitting "cold turkey."
• Wikipedia.org: Everything you wanted to know about tobacco and smoking cessation.
• AddictionTreatment.net - Resources and information about addiction and treatment.