Cold Turkey
People who quit smoking cold turkey choose not to use any quit aid to help them stop smoking.
The advantage to this method is that the majority of nicotine is out of your system within a few days. The discomforts can be intense, but physical withdrawal is short. If this quit method is too extreme for your liking, there are plenty of other options available.
NRT's
Nicotine replacement therapies (NRT's) provide a measured dose of nicotine to help ease physical withdrawal symptoms. This allows you to concentrate on changing the many mental associations you had with smoking without the sharp discomforts of nicotine withdrawal to contend with. Used according to product directions, you'll wean off of the NRT of your choice over the course of several weeks.
Let's take a look at the pros and cons of one of the most popular NRT's(nicotine replacement therapies) available on the market today, the nicotine patch.
This information about how to use nicotine gum as a smoking cessation quit aid is provided by Medline Plus.
How
to Use the Nicotine Inhaler
Jeffrey M. Shea, M.D., F.C.C.P., writes this article on how to use the nicotine
inhaler. He covers side effects, precautions, and drug interactions.
The nicotine lozenge can be a good choice for people who don't like the nicotine gum. The information provided through this link will answer your questions about this NRT.
All About Nicotine Nasal Spray
Provided by QuitNet.com, the nicotine nasal spray is reviewed for effectiveness and potential side effects.
Nicotine Free Quit Aids
Nicotine free quit aids may appeal more to you if you prefer not to use a nicotine-based quit aid. The following therapies are administered under a doctor's care.
Bupropion hydrochloride, marketed under the names Zyban, Wellbutrin SR, and Wellbutrin XL by GlaxoSmithKline, is an anti-depressant drug that also works well as a smoking cessation aid. It has been shown to dramatically reduce physical withdrawal symptoms associated with nicotine.
Discovered and developed by Pfizer, Inc, Varenicline is marketed under the trade mark of Chantix. Approved by the FDA in May of 2006, Chantix has the unique ability to partially activate nicotinic receptors in the brain, reducing a person's craving for nicotine when they quit smoking. Additionally, if a person smokes during the course of varenicline treatment, the drug impedes smoking satisfaction by blocking nicotine from binding with these same receptors. This could potentially help people break the cycle of addiction to nicotine.
Other Quit Smoking Methods
Hypnosis
Hypnosis puts people into an altered state of mind where they become more
susceptible to suggestion. It can be used to quit smoking, and while it seems to
work well for some, it isn't for everyone. Learn what you need to know to decide
if it's right for you.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese medical practice which uses needles placed at
specific spots in the skin to treat pain or disease. It can be used to treat
addiction to nicotine.
Read up on the various quit smoking methods available and choose one that fits your lifestyle best. And, if at first you don't succeed, don't be afraid to try another method of approach. Smoking cessation aids work beautifully as long as you are determined and committed about quitting. Work on making your resolve rock-solid, and nothing will be able to stop you!
"The achievement of your goal is assured the moment you commit yourself to it." Mack R. Douglas
SOURCE: Via email; I can't remember from where