While there are many options to help people stop smoking, each person’s situation is different and their goal is different. This guide explains the potential treatments and the pros and cons of each.
There is no cure for nicotine addiction and there is no quick fix. However, treatments are available to help you stop smoking.
Treatments are available for people who have given up nicotine addiction for a variety of reasons, including health reasons.
The bottom line: There is no quick fix for nicotine addiction and no “cure” for the physical addiction. However, there are many treatments available to help you stop smoking and lower your risk of a lung cancer recurrence.
Health care professionals are on the lookout for signs that someone is in need of these treatments. If you think you’re a good candidate for any of the treatments, contact your primary care provider.
Treatments available for people who have given up smoking for health reasons
Treatment options for people who want to quit smoking for health reasons include these:
- Nicotine replacement therapy
Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) is a treatment that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved in 1996 for smoking cessation.
The FDA found that NRT helps people quit smoking. It does not have the same side effects as medications and has a similar effect as medications, but it is less likely to cause dependence and withdrawal symptoms.
NRT is available in many forms, including gums, lozenges, sprays, and nasal sprays. It is important to talk to your doctor about which is best for you.
Talk therapy
Talk therapy is a type of counseling that helps people manage their emotions and cope with the side effects of quitting. It typically involves a psychologist or a behavioral therapist.
Talk therapy is often used along with other treatments that are available to help people quit smoking.
Behavioral therapy
Some people use cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to help them quit smoking. CBT teaches people how to recognize their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and change them.
CBT is not widely used for smoking cessation, but it may be a good option for people who are trying to quit for health reasons.
Medication
The FDA has approved several medications for smoking cessation. These include nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) and bupropion (Wellbutrin ).
These medications work by changing how the brain processes nicotine. They may help people reduce their cravings, make them more tolerant of the physical effects of nicotine, and make them less likely to smoke.
Nicotine replacement therapy
Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) is a prescription medication that is available as gum, lozenges, sprays, and inhalers.
It is the most commonly used medication for smoking cessation. It is available in different strengths, which may depend on your age and the severity of your nicotine addiction.
NRT is available in the following forms:
- Gum (nicotine gum)
- Lozenges (nicotine lozenges)
- Nasal spray (nicotine nasal spray)
- Inhaler (nicotine inhaler)
Nicotine replacement therapy may help people who have tried to stop smoking for a while, but it is not as effective as medications for long-term use.
If you are interested in NRT, talk to your doctor. They can help you find the right strength and form for you. They can also help you find a doctor who is knowledgeable about NRT and can help you get started.
Bupropion (Wellbutrin )
Bupropion (but-you-prin-ion) is a prescription medication approved by the FDA in 1996 as a smoking cessation medication.
As an antihistamine, bupropion blocks the effects of nicotine. It is available in immediate-release and extended-release tablets to help you quit smoking.
People may be more likely to use bupropion if they are already using NRT. Bupropion may or may not be as effective as NRT for smokers who have tried to quit and have been unsuccessful.
However, it may be a good option for smokers who have tried to quit several times in the past and have had no success.
The side effects are similar to those caused by NRT, with the exception of dry mouth and nausea.
For some people, side effects may improve over time.
Talk to your doctor about the best option for you.
Other treatments for people who want to quit smoking for health reasons
Talk to your doctor about other treatments if you are interested in stopping smoking for health reasons.
Cognitive behavioral therapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of counseling that helps people manage their emotions and cope with the side effects of quitting smoking.
CBT is used along with other treatments that are available to help people quit.
In some cases, it may be the only treatment that works.
Talk to your doctor about how CBT may benefit you. They can help you find a therapist who specializes in CBT.
What to expect from each treatment?
Treatment for smoking cessation can be challenging. It is important to talk to your doctor about how these treatments may benefit you.
Your doctor may recommend NRT as the first-line treatment. If it does not work, you may want to consider other treatments.
Talk to your healthcare team about the pros and cons of each treatment.
How can I lower my risk of smoking?
You can help lower your chances of smoking by doing the following:
- Avoiding or quitting smoking whenever possible.
- Not using tobacco products in the home.
- Avoiding or quitting nicotine products.
- Using smoke-free homes.
- Avoiding or quitting places where it is easy to smoke.
- Making sure that you do not have easy access to cigarettes or other tobacco products.
- Limiting your exposure to secondhand smoke.
What is recovery like?
Quitting smoking can be difficult, but it is possible.
If you decide to quit, it is important to be patient. It will be harder to quit at first, but it can be worth it in the long run.
Over time, you may find that you are able to reduce your use of tobacco products. Your cravings may lessen, and you will have less cigarettes or other tobacco products in your home.
It may take some time to find the right amount of time to quit. You may need to experiment with different times and places to quit smoking.
Quitting may not be easy, but it is possible. It is important to talk to your healthcare team and your family about your plans to quit.
What happens after quitting smoking?
It is important to quit smoking for your own health.
Smoking is a leading cause of preventable death. It can also increase your risk for serious diseases.
Quitting smoking can be challenging, but it is possible. For some people, it may be the only way to prevent serious diseases.
The bottom line
Smoking is a major risk factor for lung cancer. It is also a cause of other health problems. Quitting smoking can lower your risk of these problems.
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