What Are the Most Effective Quit Smoking Methods?
Want to know which of the many quit smoking methods is best? Well, let’s put it this way, if you were going to research the contents of a dictionary, you would not find the word “best”. The worse part? You still keep trying, and still fail. Nothing will work for you.
Now, before we delve into the details of some of the most successful quit smoking methods, let’s look at what actually causes people to smoke. The brain chemistry of a smoker is very similar to that of an alcohol addict. This is because when we are addicted to something, our brain releases a surge of certain chemicals. These chemicals stimulate the same areas in the brain as the ones that are affected by alcohol withdrawal. It is these particular “cravings” that are the key to quitting.
One of the most widely used quit smoking methods involves nicotine patches and nicotine gum. The nicotine patches work by blocking the nicotine receptors on the skin, so the brain is not tempted to have a smoke. The nicotine patches are accompanied by a medication, which is taken by mouth, or inserted into the rectum.
A more recent addition to the quit smoking methods includes nicotine replacement therapy or EIT. This particular treatment involves two steps. First, a patient is required to use an electronic cigarette. Secondly, the patient is required to use a patch that delivers the needed nicotine to the skin.
Smoking cessation methods have been found to be highly effective when implemented at the national level. However, as stated earlier, the best rates of success occur in the context of a multi-prong approach. In other words, while many countries have shown notable increases in their quit smoking rates, many are now seeing declines. Researchers attribute this to a variety of factors, ranging from the quality of local smoking cessation support services to changes in national attitudes towards smoking, which may have also played a role in the increase in recent declines.
The quit smoking journey cannot be completed in a single day. In fact, research has shown that most smokers who try to quit will fail within one year. But if a person is willing to make a commitment to themselves, and to a healthy, balanced diet, they can make progress toward quitting in a much shorter period of time. The commitment to a healthy, balanced diet is central to any quit smoking plan, and there are many easy steps for people to take to improve their diets before they begin the quitting process.
Quitting smoking is difficult, but it can be done. As previously mentioned, the goal is to keep cigarettes out of the body. One way to do this is to quit smoking on the short-term (or temporary) basis, such as by using a nicotine patch or gum, or by using an aid such as the Zyban or Verenicline. Both of these products have shown a very good success rate in helping people to stop smoking, and both are FDA approved. However, it should be noted that some side effects do occur from either of these methods, including insomnia, dizziness, nausea, and increased heart rate. These side effects tend to go away after about a week’s period using either of these methods.
While it may seem easier said than done to quit smoking, it can be done with the right support and tools. By making small lifestyle changes, such as giving up smoking around others (including close friends and family members), as well as being aware of the potential dangers and adverse side effects of smoking, a person can dramatically increase their chances of becoming a lifelong non-smoker. Also, it is important to remember that quitting isn’t a “quick fix” solution; quitting cigarettes requires effort and patience. By taking the time to learn about and implement healthy solutions to quitting smoking, a person will be able to make the quit smoking journey easier and more productive, one that they can be proud of.
