You’ve probably heard that quitting smoking is one of the hardest things you can do. But there’s hope. It is possible to kick this habit and get your life back. With a little help, you’ll be able to quit the nicotine addiction and live a healthier, happier life without cigarettes.
According to a report by the CDC, approximately 3.08 million middle and high school students have tried at least one tobacco product. In addition, every year, around 1,600 youths under 18 try their first cigarette every year.
At the same time, 0.5 million people suffer premature death due to smoking exposure. These figures are frightening. Hence, more preventive measures should be emphasized to avoid nicotine products.
Here are some tips on how to get through those first few weeks after quitting:
1. Avoid Nicotine in All Forms
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Avoid nicotine in all forms. It includes avoiding the places, people, and things that were associated with smoking for you. For example, if you used to smoke at a bar with friends or home after dinner, avoid going to bars or eating dinners without smoking.
Likewise, try not to use other things that remind you of smoking, such as lighters or ashtrays – even if they aren’t related to cigarettes. The more often these items cross your path while trying to quit smoking, the better chance they’ll trigger cravings for another cigarette later on.
2. Find Alternatives to Relieve Symptoms
Listed below are some non-nicotine medications that can help with symptoms:
- Bupropion (Zyban)
- Varenicline (Chantix)
- Clonidine (Catapres, Kapvay)
You must talk with your doctor if you’re struggling to quit smoking. They can provide you with additional resources and support. If available in your area, consider joining a support group for people who want to quit smoking.
One such organization is Nicotine Anonymous, which has meetings across the country where members can share their experiences and learn from one another. Finally, hypnosis may also be helpful for some people who want to kick their nicotine addiction.
3. Use Nicotine Replacement Options
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Nicotine replacement options are available in various forms, including patches, gums, sprays, and lozenges. They can help reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms by providing the same amount of nicotine you were used to receiving from cigarettes.
Patches
These work by releasing a steady dose of nicotine into your body through transdermal absorption. You wear them on your skin for 16 to 24 hours before replacing them with new ones.
The most common type is 21mg. It translates into half an hour’s worth if you smoke only five cigarettes daily. If you smoke more often than this, using higher-dose patches may be beneficial for reducing nicotine withdrawal symptoms.
Nicotine Pouch
A nicotine pouch is a smokeless option that allows you to place it between your cheek and gum and enjoy the sensation of having something in your mouth without all of the harmful chemicals that come from traditional cigarettes.
The nicotine pouch has been found to be effective for more than 25 different flavors, which means you can choose something that tastes good to you. When you’re finished with your nicotine pouch, dispose of it in the trash. However, for more information, you can research online or consult your physician about their effectiveness.
Gums
This type comes as single pieces or packages that allow chewing one at a time as needed until it loses its flavor, which usually takes around 20 minutes.
Lozenges
These work like hard candies that dissolve quickly under the tongue when crushed between teeth.
Sprays
Like gums and lozenges except for instead spray form. These products require spraying onto fingers prior to the application under the tongue, where absorption occurs quickly due to rapid vaporization upon contact with moisture-rich membranes below the tongue surface layer.
4. Get Support from Friends and Family
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While you can use the above methods to eliminate nicotine addiction, it’s also important to have support from friends and family. However, if you do not have anyone who smokes, there are other ways of getting this support.
For example, you can join a nicotine addiction support group or therapy session specifically for people who want to quit smoking. Another option is to talk with your doctor about how they can help you quit smoking or give advice on how best to quit on your own.
5. Ask Your Doctor for Medication
You can ask your doctor for medication that can help you quit smoking.
Nicotine replacement therapy, or NRT, is a nicotine-containing product used to relieve withdrawal symptoms when you stop smoking. It could be a patch, gum, lozenge, inhaler, or nasal spray.
The FDA has approved bupropion (Zyban) as an aid in helping people quit smoking by reducing cravings and withdrawal symptoms by blocking the reuptake of dopamine in the brain and increasing norepinephrine levels. It also causes weight loss due to its appetite-suppressant effects on nicotine addicts trying to kick their habit.
Varenicline (Chantix) blocks nicotine receptors in the brain and reduces cigarette cravings during detoxification therapy. It is marketed as a prescription drug, but it can be purchased without requiring a physician’s order on certain websites selling pharmaceutical products online.
6. Know the Different Types of Withdrawal Cravings
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There are three types of nicotine withdrawal. They include the physical, mental and emotional cravings for the substance. While it is true that most smokers have a combination of these three types of cravings, it is usually one or two types that dominate their withdrawal experience.
- Physical cravings: These are associated with your body’s need for nicotine to function properly without any adverse effects, such as headaches, irritability, or nausea. You’ll feel them in your mouth, throat, or stomach when you’ve gone too long without smoking or chewing tobacco. The longer the time gap between cigarettes, the more intense the physical craving will be.
- Mental cravings: You might think about smoking all day long without ever lighting up because you’re so used to having something in your hands while working or driving around town. This thinking can also occur when we’re bored or stressed out from work tasks, home chores, etc.
- Emotional cravings: These are the most difficult to deal with because they’re often subconscious and hard to recognize. You might not even be aware of them at first, but these feelings can be very powerful when triggered by events in your life or certain situations around you.
7. Try Hypnosis
You can quit smoking with hypnosis and hypnotherapy. Hypnosis is a state of relaxation, concentration, and focus that makes you more open to suggestions. It’s often used to manage cravings for nicotine in smokers trying to quit.
A trained therapist will guide you through the process, helping you visualize your goals and envision your life after quitting smoking. You may also learn techniques for managing stress and anxiety while working on quitting smoking.
Zippia reports that around 198,811 registered therapists are spread all across the US, so finding one near you won’t be a tough ask. A therapist can help you fight your cravings and cope with addiction stress and anxiety.
With Confidence and Willpower, You Can Overcome Your Nicotine Addiction
You may not think that you have control over your addiction, but the truth is that you do. Studies show that nicotine replacement therapy products work best when people are highly motivated to quit smoking. In addition, you can boost your confidence and willpower by learning to use positive self-talk, affirmations, and visualization techniques to help keep away from cigarettes.
Nicotine addiction is one of the most common addictions in the world. According to a report by Addiction Center, it is estimated that more than 50 million people in the United States are addicted to nicotine. That’s a lot of people who want to quit smoking. Thankfully, there are many ways for you to break this habit once and for all.
The most important thing is to stay positive. You can do this by taking small steps instead of trying to quit all at once. Start by making a list of your triggers and then work through them one at a time.
