There are many methods for helping patients quit smoking.
Many patients quit cold turkey by setting a quit date. Remember, nicotine is more
addictive than crack cocaine and heroin and you may need help. The
most successful smoking cessation programs include support groups and counseling.
Only 3% of young people have long term success at quitting
Preventing Tobacco Use Among Young People, 1994 Surgeon
General's Report
There are three basic steps to quitting smoking. Want IT, Plan IT, and
Do IT.
Set a quit date and stick to it.
Make a list of trigger situations
and have a strategy to avoid or deal with them. Anything to keep your
mind off of smoking for at least 2 mins. will often work. Many use Physical Training
or exercise for this purpose.
Reward yourself when you don’t
smoke.
Ask others not to smoke around you.
There are also a number of medications which can help the
smoker quit. However, they are not nearly as effective when used alone
than they are in combination with counseling and support groups. These
medications include:
Nicotine Patches - Over-the-counter
Nicotine Gum - Over-the-counter (Used to give a
relatively rapid boost in nicotine levels to control sudden cravings.)
Nicotine inhalers - Prescription (Used to give
a rapid boost in nicotine levels to control sudden cravings.)
Zyban - Prescription (Acts on the brain to control
cravings).
Mint Snuff Over-the-counter (A smokeless tobacco
substitute).
