Quitting Smoking Aids

Smoking is bad, you know that but simply can’t quit. Abstaining doesn’t work and the craving is so powerful that you’re simply overwhelmed by it. If this is happening perhaps you need a bit of help and the latest alternatives to smoking are the best aids you can find. From nicotine patches and nicotine gum to joining a non-smoking group there are a lot of options which can give you the zing necessary to keep the urge away!

Cold Turkey

The way to start is to try and go cold turkey. No slowing down on smoking and no hiding cigarettes in the drawer. Promise yourself not to smoke and watch human resolve at its best. The advantage is that your body systems will be free of nicotine in just a few days. However, your body will experience withdrawal symptoms and they may cause intense discomfort. If you think you cannot handle quitting in this basic way, then help is already there.

Nicotine Replacement Therapies (NRT’s)

Nicotine replacement therapies gradually decrease the amount of nicotine in your system, while providing enough to prevent withdrawal symptoms. Try the new nicotine patch or nicotine gum. With minimum side effects, it fulfils the urge that you might feel for a smoke after a day’s hard work. However, you should always use them after consultation with your physician, and definitely not if you have heart or circulatory troubles or a history of ulcers.

Zyban and Prescription Drugs

Maybe not the safest option but prescription drugs, like Zyban, tend to have a more profound effect. Zyban is available via prescription only. This drug comes in tablet form and no one is really sure how it works other than to say that it works on chemicals in the brain. There has been a great deal of success with Zyban but there is much controversy over it's side effects, the main ones seem to be insomnia, dry mouth and dizziness, followed by nausea, anxiety.

Herbal Remedies

There are a lot of off-counter herbal and homeopathic remedies available, in the form of tablets, lozenges, drops, dietary supplements and sprays. The best thing about these is a lack of side effects. Some look after your dietary needs and tackle the withdrawal symptoms, others deal with the psychological effects quitting may have. Your choice would depend on what you are comfortable using, and what your doctor says will not cause you harm.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a 3000 year old Chinese method. Only recently has it been found to help with addictions. The method involves inserting thin sterile needles on specific points on the ears, hands and wrists. A mild current may be passed through them. The method helps to release beta-endorphin which helps to relax and reduces sensitivity to pain. Pressure pellets maybe put into the ear to maintain the effect of the treatment for a few days. The treatment which last for a maximum of 30 minutes has no side effects.

Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT)

Laser therapy is considered to be a highly effective and modern form of acupuncture. The procedure is painless and hardly takes a maximum of an hour. It involves a soft cold pure light which when contacts specific points on the body helps to relax and create a sense of well-being while helping to lessen nicotine cravings and any anxiety. It also helps to suppress appetite and stimulate repair and healing of body organs.

If you can not decide which aid to use, or simple need support and encouragement you can sign up for a non-smoking class. Talking about your problems helps and with people who are serious about quitting smoking you work in tandem covering all bases. You’ll get to know new strategies to counter your habit of smoking cancer sticks and have something to look forward to apart from the regular smoke!