If you smoke more than 5 cigarettes a day, quitting will not be an easy task. A number of studies have consistently showed that many smokers will fail at least three times when trying to quit. However, you must not give up. There are a number of things you can do to give up this bad habit for good. Some of the things that make it hard to quit smoking are elevated levels of stress, as well as cravings for the habit itself. Statistics have shown that the number of smokers who quit without assistance is roughly 5%.
One thing you may want to look at is Nicotine replacement programs. When you undergo Nicotine replacement, you will experience less symptoms during your first month. This will make it easier for you to quit, and studies have shown that this method has a success rate of about 20%. However, some Nicotine replacement programs have been able to achieve a success rate of 40% with the best programs available. When you undergo Nicotine replacement, you will be required to wear a special patch or chew gum that contains Nicotine. There are also nasal sprays available.
Another good way to quit smoking is to enroll in a smoking cessation program. If you are seeking counseling for this habit, there are many hospitals and healthcare plans that can assist you. If you are employed with a company, they may have their own program as well. One good organization that can assist you is the American Cancer Society. To get the most out of such programs, it is best to choose one which lasts a minimum of four weeks. Look for programs that offer you a great deal of encouragement and face to face meeting with your counselor. If you know any friends or family members who have quit smoking, ask them which programs they used. The best programs will not only show you how to kick the habit, but they will also teach you how to deal with stress and things that may cause a relapse.
Prescription medications are also an option for those who wish to quit smoking. One drug which has become quite popular is Zybane, and it can help you control your need for nicotine. The success rate for this medication has been as high as 20 percent. There are many options available for those who want to stop smoking, but you must be willing to use them.
Thanks for the great post. I like many, have struggled with quitting smoking many times. I’ve tried going cold turkey (very hard), as well as prescribed nicotine patches.
The best way I found to kick the habit was going on an all out health binge. I had a 5 day smoothie detox, no fats, just healthy fresh smoothies, no cigarettes, no alcohol and daily exercise. I found that 5 days was a good length of time to start feeling the positive affects of eating healthy and no smoking. After the week I found it alot easier to avoid the temptation of cigarettes. I agree that being in face-to-face contact with someone such as Cancer Society counsellors would be a great way to stay motivated and keep on track. The only thing to be wary with regarding prescription medication is that everybody is different and, although these may work perfectly for some, others may have side-affects such as disrupted sleep.
Thanks for letting me put forward my two cents, keep up the good work.
Comment by Greg — April 15, 2007 @ 3:11 am