smoking.mobi

Smoking certain substances can be extremely addictive. This encompasses both psychological and biological addiction.

For tobacco, nicotine-based therapies, certain medications like buproprion, and psychological and behavioral therapy are frequently used to improve success rates of cessation if substance withdrawal is not effective in ending an addiction.

A 21mg dose Nicoderm CQ patch applied to the left arm.

Techniques which can increase smokers’ chances of successfully quitting are:

Quitting “cold turkey”: abrupt cessation of all nicotine use as opposed to tapering or gradual stepped-down nicotine weaning. It is the quitting method used by 80 to 90% of all long-term successful quitters.

Smoking-cessation support and counseling is often offered over the internet, over the phone help-lines (e.g. 1-800-QUIT-NOW), or in person.

Nicotine replacement therapy when used for less than eight weeks helped with withdrawal symptoms, cravings, and urges (for example, nicotine patches, gum, lozenges, sprays, and inhalers).

The antidepressant bupropion, marketed under the brand name Zyban, helps with withdrawal symptoms, cravings, and urges.

Recently, an injection given multiple times over the course of several months, which primes the immune system to produce antibodies which attach to nicotine and prevent it from reaching the brain, has shown great promise in helping smokers quit. However, this approach is still in the experimental stages.

Hypnosis clinical trials studying hypnosis as a method for smoking cessation have been inconclusive.

Herbal preparations such as Kava and Chamomile

Acupuncture clinical trials have shown that acupuncture’s effect on smoking cessation is equal to that of sham/placebo acupuncture.

Interactive web-based programs like DaretoQuit specializes teaching you how to quit with lessons and strategies tailored to you and your habits

Laser therapy based on acupuncture principles but without the needles.

Quit meters: Small computer programs that keep track of quit statistics such as amount of “quit-time”, cigarettes not smoked, and money saved.

Spirituality Spiritual beliefs and practices may help some smokers quit.

Smokeless tobacco: Snus (similar to snuff) is widely used in Sweden, and although it is much less damaging to health than smoking, something which is reflected in the low cancer rates for Swedish men, there are still some concerns about its health impact and it is illegal in EU states except Sweden.

Herbal and aromatherapy “natural” program formulations.

Vaporizer: heats to 410°F. or less, compared with 1500°F./860°C. in the tip of a cigarette when drawn upon; eliminates carbon monoxide and other combustion toxins.

“FAUX Cigarette” or similar commercial products which can be used as alternative to smoking as well as cessation.

Electronic cigarette: Shaped like a cigar or cigarette, this device contains a rechargeable battery and a heating element that vaporizes liquid nicotine (and other flavorings) from an insertable cartridge, at lower initial cost than a vaporizer but with the same advantages including significantly reducing tar and carbon monoxide.