HOW TO QUIT
Millions of successful quitters have invented lots of creative methods to stop smoking, according to ?Why Quit News,? as printed by Livestrong.com.
Here are the top ways:
Cold turkey
Quitting cold turkey, meaning all at once, instantly transforms you into a non-smoker. Joel Spitzer, director of ?Freedom From Tobacco? in Evanston, Ill., says the cold turkey motto is simply ?Never Take Another Puff.? Spitzer says 91 percent of successful quitters do it cold turkey.
Group support
The American Lung Association recommends quitting with a group of like-minded people. You can support each other, trade winning strategies and swap successful tips. The most successful groups are conducted by trained, experienced leaders.
Hypnosis
In a 2009 report by physicians at the American Cancer Society, hypnosis helped some people quit smoking, but techniques, practitioners and success rates vary widely. Coaches at Smoking Cessation.org report a 66 percent success rate with a four-session protocol administered by licensed psychologists.
Replacement
Nicotine replacement therapy, or NRT, replaces cigarettes with patches, gums, nasal sprays, lozenges or inhalers. These enable tapering off the addictive nicotine so you can manage your cravings in gradual steps, while eliminating smoke and its other harmful chemicals from your lungs.
Sabotage
Sabotage your habit. The American Lung Association advises quitters to prepare by tossing out their ashtrays, lighters and matches. Also, eliminate triggers like coffee and alcohol from your pantry, then buy tea and other beverages. Remove every cigarette from your home. Without tobacco and its paraphernalia, you cannot smoke.
Phone a friend
The American Cancer Society says all U.S. states and the District of Columbia provide free telephone links to trained counselors who match programs to individuals? needs. Phone counseling is twice as effective as quitting without help. Florida?s phone program can be reached at (877) 822-6669, while Georgia?s is at (877) 270-7867.
Zyban
Bupropion, brand named Zyban, reduces nicotine withdrawal symptoms. It can be prescribed alone or with NRT. Start one or two weeks before quitting tobacco. Do not use Zyban if you have seizures, serious head injury, bipolar or eating disorders, or a tendency to abuse alcohol.
Chantix
Varenicline, brand named Chantix, interferes with brain receptors for nicotine, diminishing the enjoyment of smoking, and reducing nicotine withdrawal symptoms. The ACS reports that several studies have shown varenicline more than doubles success rates for smoking cessation. Other studies suggest better short-term effectiveness than with bupropion.
Nicotine Anonymous
This is a 12-step program for living nicotine-free. Nicotine Anonymous offers group support along with the ?12 Steps? approach pioneered by Alcoholics Anonymous. The toll-free number is (877) 879-6422 for printed materials, information and meeting schedules.
Follow the money
The American Lung Association says to reward yourself for quitting. The average cost of a pack of cigarettes in Florida is $6 per pack. Smoking a pack a day would cost $2,184 per year. If you think about what else you can buy with that, you will probably find a way to stop smoking.
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