Are you a cigarette smoker in search of ways you can stop smoking?
What are some methods you have tried before?
Have they worked out for you?
The truth is, all cigarette smokers will admit their quest to quit smoking at least once in their lifetime. However, the addiction that comes with tobacco/nicotine is strong enough to keep them smoking longer than they may desire.
Cigarette smoke causes many health problems, which is a major key factor to push anyone smoking to quit. The common negative effects are throat and mouth cancer.
Did you know that smoking cigarettes also increases the risks of mental health problems such as depression and schizophrenis? That’s a story for another day.
Today we’ll focus on smoking cessation therapies that you can try out to quit this habit once and for all!
Note that it is very important to make the therapies as personalized as possible for maximum positive results. This is because many of those who smoke struggle to quit due to other influencing factors such as stress.
Are you ready to learn?
Let’s go!
Behavioral Therapy
There may be one or two things that may be triggering you to smoke. If you look closely, you will definitely identify why you choose to smoke.
According to research, most people who smoke and more so those who smoke heavily have been found to be experiencing one or more mental health problems such as depression, stress, anxiety, or eating disorders.
Now, behavioral therapy is used to identify such triggers that push one to smoke a cigarette.
This kind of therapy is known as cognitive-behavioral therapy. It helps to identify the cause of the desire to smoke.
The best way to go through this is by talking to someone, preferably a therapist. After identifying the cause of over-dependence on cigarettes, the therapist should help you fight the habit and empower you on how to face your problems without relying on cigarettes to hide under the blanket.
Nicotine Replacement Therapy
Using a nicotine replacement is another way you can go about quitting smoking.
You may be provided with patch, gum, inhaler sprays or lozenges as a nicotine replacement to help with the withdrawal symptoms.
Nicotine replacements will help you through the first early stages of cessation if you are a light cigarette smoker. However, if you are a heavy nicotine smoker, consider using the replacement for a longer period to ensure you don’t experience the effects of withdrawal.
Bonus tip: Research states that those who combine behavioral and nicotine replacement therapy quit smoking at a higher rate than those who try one intervention. Therefore, if you want to find success quickly, you should try a combination of those two therapies.
Bupropoin
Smoking cigarettes has definitely made you dependent on nicotine, right? To cut the urge, try an antidepressant like Bupropoin to suppress nicotine cravings and prevent the development of depression.
Bupropoin, marketed as Zyban, is quite different from nicotine replacement. It does not replace nicotine but quashes the urge to take nicotine. It also helps to avoid any withdrawal symptoms from developing.
Varenicline
Varenicline is one of the most effective therapies you should consider trying.
What it does is that it imitates the effects of nicotine in your body. Therefore, your body will enjoy the effects Varenicline brings about. In turn, you won’t need to smoke cigarettes to get the nicotine effects your body craves for.
Varenicline, also known as Chantix, was licensed in December 2006.
Studies have shown that Varenicline may be much more effective than Bupropoin or a single nicotine replacement.
Bonus tip: If you choose to try this therapy, remember you should first start with behavioral therapy to ensure you won’t bounce back to smoking due to other factors that may be pushing you to smoke cigarettes.
Other smoking cessation therapies include:
- Support groups where you can attend regularly or when the urge to smoke arises. Such groups will help you get the emotional support you need to quit smoking. You will also get to understand your smoking issues better as you interact with a community in a similar place as you.
- Biofeedback. This entails getting information and knowledge on the effects of cigarettes on your health. If you love your health, this method should motivate you to quit smoking since cigarettes have adverse effects and can ruin your whole life.
- Support from family and friends. Getting help from your loved ones is an excellent social support base you should consider. You can start by informing them about your plans to stop smoking and probably establish a rule that will push you to achieve that. One rule could be no smoking in the house.
Combined cessation therapies
According to studies, combined cessation therapies have proven to be more effective than a single plan or method.
The first step you should consider in your journey to quit smoking is identifying what triggers you to smoke. This may be something you have been struggling with. The good news is, you have taken a step to stop smoking. So, be courageous enough to face your fears and handle them by the horns.
After recognizing your struggles and placing appropriate measures to face them, now consider using nicotine replacements to fill the urge to smoke cigarettes. You can then go ahead and try bupropion or Varenicline to eliminate any withdrawal effects and suppress the urge to smoke.
In your journey to stop smoking, try and get as much support as you can get.
Take the first step
Smoking is a habit you learn, meaning you can unlearn it. You may try several times to stop smoking and fail. But with the appropriate strategy and drive, you can do it!
The process may take 6 months or more. It all varies from person to person.
Make a decision. Try these therapies to get the results you want once and for all. It’s not hard to stop smoking. All you need is that first step. Commit to seeing your health improve and live that life you have always been dreaming about.
- Addiction Recovery: 4 Smoking Cessation Therapies to Consider - August 20, 2020
