There are many smoking alternatives that can help those who want to quit smoking. Many of these alternatives are very effective in helping smokers quit. Here are some of the more common and effective smoking alternatives that are used to help smokers quit.
Nicotine Replacement Therapy: If you smoke a lot, a nicotine replacement therapy can help you quit smoking. The best one for those who smoke a lot is Nicorette.
Quit and Breathe: For those who are desperate to quit but haven’t really tried to quit on their own, this is a very effective method to use. This method involves setting a goal and then setting yourself up for success as you make an effort to take frequent short breaks from smoking.
Nicotine Patch: If you smoke several packs a day and have tried many methods, nicotine patch may be the best option for you. In addition to its pleasurable effects, nicotine also temporarily boosts aspects of cognition, such as the ability to sustain attention and hold information in memory. However, long-term smoking is associated with cognitive decline and risk of Alzheimer’s Disease, suggesting that short-term nicotine-related enhancement does not outweigh long-term consequences for cognitive functioning. In addition, people in withdrawal from nicotine experience neurocognitive deficits such as problems with attention or memory. These neurocognitive withdrawal symptoms are increasingly recognized as a contributor to continued smoking. A small research study also suggested that withdrawal may impair sleep for severely dependent smokers, and that this may additionally contribute to relapse, look for help in a rehab, there are many places, even addiction help for celebrities in need.
In addition to the drug’s impact on multiple neurotransmitters and their receptors,30 many behavioral factors can affect the severity of withdrawal symptoms. For many people who smoke, the feel, smell, and sight of a cigarette and the ritual of obtaining, handling, lighting, and smoking the cigarette are all associated with the pleasurable effects of smoking and can make withdrawal or craving worse. Learning processes in the brain associate these cues with nicotine-induced dopamine surges in the reward system21—similar to what occurs with other drug addictions. Nicotine replacement therapies such as gum, patches, and inhalers, and other medications approved for the treatment of nicotine addiction may help alleviate the physiological aspects of withdrawal (see “What are treatments for tobacco dependence?”); however, cravings often persist because of the power of these cues. Behavioral therapies can help smokers identify environmental triggers of craving so they can use strategies to avoid these triggers and manage the feelings that arise when triggers cannot be.
It is often effective in helping to keep you from smoking a pack or more per day and you are able to go back to smoking only a couple of hours after you stop using the patch.
Nicotine Replacement Therapy: A combination of nicotine replacement therapy and anti-depressants can be very effective. The anti-depressants help to eliminate the urge to smoke and you are able to stop smoking easily. This works well for those who have tried many methods before using this method.
Smoking Cessation Groups: These groups are a great way to quit smoking. They usually have counseling sessions and group discussions to help smokers who are just looking to quit. Groups are a very popular form of stopping smoking.
Physical Activity: Just like exercising does not mean that you can’t drink and drive or do drugs, it doesn’t mean that you can’t have coffee and work hard either. Exercising actually decreases the amount of stress that you feel as well as helping you to lose weight. Also, many exercise groups have various types of activities that you can participate in to help you quit smoking.
Anti-Depressants: Some people are unable to stop smoking with over the counter medications. The most effective and popular is Celexa. There are others that are much less powerful but still can help you quit smoking.
Nicotine Patch: There are two different types of nicotine patches, a non-narcotic version and a narcotic version. They both work in the same way, by helping you to stop smoking. The only difference is that the non-narcotic version helps you get over your cravings faster than the narcotic version.
Healthy Lifestyle: One of the best ways to quit smoking is to keep up a healthy lifestyle. Quitting smoking is very difficult to do and also just means that you have to give up the other habits that you used to smoke a lot of cigarettes. Keeping up a healthy lifestyle can be very beneficial to your health.
If you have tried all of the above options and still want to quit smoking, it is important to note that you may have to try many more methods before you find one that works for you. For some people, quitting is easier than others and there is no set formula for success.
It is always a good idea to consult with your doctor to see if any treatment is right for you. When you are quitting smoking, you will most likely require some form of medication to help you stay away from smoking. Your doctor will want to make sure that you are taking the correct type of medication that will help you quit smoking.
