15 Ways To Help You Quit Smoking

Do you think you are addicted to smoking? If you do, why don’t you wake up in the middle of the night for a smoke? Ok, so you aren’t really addicted, not like a drug addict is addicted so that’s good news isn’t it? Giving up now can’t be that difficult can it?

Here’s another question for you. When did you have your last cigarette? An hour ago? Yesterday evening? So if you think about it - you’ve already quit! Congratulations, you are on your way

Of course, now comes the hard part in seeing it through for the first seven days which are the hardest. No one says it’s easy – your brain is going to want to persuade you to feed it some nicotine and you are going to want to resist it. Here are some tips to help you make it.

1.Tell your friends, family and work colleagues that you’ve quit – you are now a non-smoker. Now you need to act like a non-smoker to reinforce your new identity. For instance take up a sport, join a gym or do some regular exercise  Dry-clean your favourite clothes to get rid of the smell of old tobacco.

2. Avoid smoking environments as best you can for the first week to minimise temptation until your body has adjusted to a normal balance without nicotine

3.You can try Acupuncture. It may not be ideal for those who have a fear of needles but many people who have tried it do swear by it. Acupressure is similar but doesn't require the use of needles.

4. There are some medications that can help you quit. You can talk to your doctor about Zyban which is a prescription medication that changes the way that your body responds to nicotine. A course of Zyban is started 1 to 2 weeks before you intend to quit. Treatment then lasts for a couple of months to help you through the withdrawal cravings.

5. An alternative to Zyban is Champix which is another prescription medication that works by reducing your craving for a cigarette. You set a date to stop smoking and then start taking Champix 1 or 2 weeks before this date. Treatment lasts for 12 weeks.

6. Whilst you are taking medication think about taking up a hobby or spend more time on an existing interest to help you take your mind off smoking and keep you occupied. The money you save from not smoking could probably finance your membership of a society or club or pay for the equipment

7. There are times when you have to make a choice between smoking or being strong. Remind yourself why you want to quit. Here are some extremely undesirable facts you may not be aware of. Smoking causes…

Ø  sexual impotency

Ø  diabetes which can ultimately lead to your legs being amputated

Ø  cancer of the mouth, tongue, and  throat

Ø  teeth to prematurely  rot

Ø  extreme aging of the skin
 
8.       You can reduce your nicotine addiction by using Niquitin gum or a lozenge. These work by releasing a controlled dosage of nicotine into your mouth and then into your bloodstream. The dosage is progressively reduced until you no longer feel the urge. 

9.       If you think you also need to keep your fingers busy while reducing the craving try using an electronic ‘cigarette’ as a smoking alternative.  The leading products are made by Nicovap and Nicocig and they work by helping you reduce the nicotine dosage until your body’s natural balance has been restored..

10.   A less obtrusive option to control the nicotine craving is to use a Nicorette patch. These patches release a small, controlled amount of nicotine into your body through your skin the dosage of which is progressively reduced.

11.   As with most habits smokers tend to have natural cigarette triggers such as mealtimes or coffee breaks.  Be aware of the times that you would normally have a cigarette and stop the habit by finding something else to do.

12.   Using subconscious reminders about the positive effects of quitting smoking can be beneficial. Many smokers have quit with the help of hypnosis

13.   Other simple methods of helping you stop smoking are taking regular exercise as it improves blood flow and releases stress helping you deal with tensions in life without cigarettes. Try sucking a mint. to keep your mouth busy and freshen your breath

14.   Email or call our pharmacist who can advise you on the best treatment to help you to quit.

15.   Remember, no one says it’s easy to quit. Nicotine is an addictive substance and very few smokers can give up without some form of help so there’s no shame in that.