You Can Quit Smoking

The following information is provided through a pamphlet by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

 

Nicotine: A Powerful Addiction

If you have tried to quit smoking, you know how hard it can be. That is because nicotine is a very addictive drug. For some people, it can be an addictive as heroin or cocaine. Within seconds of taking a puff of smoke, nicotine travels to the brain. It tells the brain to release chemicals that make you want to smoke more.

Quitting is hard. Usually people make 2 to 3 tries, or more, before finally being able to quit. Studies have shown that each time you try to quit, you will be stronger and will have learned more about what helps and what hurts.

Anyone can quit smoking. It does not matter about age, health, or lifestyle The decision to quit and your success is greatly influenced by how much you want to stop smoking.

Half of all people who have ever smoked have quit.

You Can Quit Smoking

Help is All Around You!

  • Many types of health care providers can help you quit - your family doctor, dentist, or pediatrician; nurses, psychologists, pharmacists, respiratory and physical therapists; and others.
  • Programs are given by health care providers who specialize in helping people to stop smoking. Your regular health care provider can help you find a program.

Three Methods for Quitting

Experts say three methods work. You have the best chance of quitting if you use them together.

  • Use nicotine patch or gum
  • Get support and encouragement
  • Learn how to handle urges to smoke and stress.

Use The Nicotine Patch or Nicotine Gum

The patch and gum help lessen the urge to smoke. The nicotine in the patch and gum passes through the skin. This reduces the craving for nicotine when you stop smoking. It is important to follow the directions carefully when using the patch or gum. Ask you health care provider for advice or read the information in the package.

While you may still get cravings to smoke, don't smoke while using the patch or gum!

Who should use the nicotine patch or nicotine gum?

Research shows that almost everyone can benefit from using the patch or gum.

If you are pregnant or have heart of blood vessel problems, your health care provider will be especially careful about giving you the patch or gum.

How do I know what strength is right for me?

The Patch: Most smokers should start using a full-strength patch (15-22 mg of nicotine) daily for 4 weeks and then use a weaker patch for another 4 weeks (5-14 mg of nicotine).

The Gum: Many smokers should start using the 2-mg dose. However, you may want to use 4-mg gum if you:

  • Smoke more than 20 cigarettes a day
  • Smoke as soon as you wake up in the morning
  • Have severe withdrawal symptoms when you don't smoke
  • Have tried and failed to quit on a lower dose

If you are a very light smoker (less than 1-015 cigarettes a day) or have health problems, a health care provider can help you select the right dose.

Should I use the nicotine gum or the nicotine patch?

Both treatments can help once you are ready to quit. The choice is up to you Some people don't like the taste of the gum or don't like chewing in public and prefer the patch. Others have been unable to quit on the patch and want to try the gum. Here is some information to help you decide which one is right for you.

Using the nicotine patch or gum about doubles your chances of quitting.

Nicotine Patch

Directions for use:

At the start of each day, a new patch is placed on a part of the body between the neck and the waist. Each day, the patch is moved to a new spot to lessen skin irritation.

Treatment Period:

The patch is usually used for up to 8 weeks.

Side effects:

Some people who use the patch get a rash on their body where the patch is placed. Skin rashes are usually mild and easily treated. Moving the patch to another area of the body helps.

How to get it:

Currently, the patch is prescribed by a doctor. (Check with your health insurance to find out if the cost is covered.

Nicotine Gum

Directions for use:

The gum must be chewed in a special way to make it work. It is chewed slowly until a "peppery" tastes comes out. Then, the gum is placed between the cheek and gum. Each piece of gum should be used for about 30 minutes.

Treatment period:

People often chew too few pieces of gum per day and for too few weeks to get the most benefits from using it. A fixed schedule (at least one piece every 1-2 hours for at least 1-3 months) may give the best results.

Side effects:

Some people develop mild side effects such as hiccups, upset stomach, or jaw ache. Most of these side effects go away if the gum if used correctly.

How to get it:

The gum is newly available without a doctor's prescription. To be safe, carefully read and follow directions inside the package. Also, you can talk to your health care provider about how to use it and for how long.

If you have any side effects from the patch or gum, be sure to tell your health care provider right away.

As this booklet went to press, nicotine nasal spray was approved for use in the United States by the Food and Drug Administration. It joins the patch and gum as useful aids for quitting smoking.

Get Support and Encouragement

Counseling can help you learn how to live life as a nonsmoker. Brief counseling or advice from you health care provider can help. Also, you may want to join a quit smoking programs. Studies of people who have quit show the more counseling you have, the greater your chance for success. Here is what to look for in a quit smoking program:

  • Session length; at least 20-30 minutes long
  • Number of sessions: at least 4-7 sessions
  • Number of weeks: at least 2 weeks

Don't be afraid to talk about how you feel - fears of not being able to quit or problems with family or friends. Your family, friends, or health care provider can offer encouragement and support. Self-help materials and hotlines are also available.

If you get the urge for a cigarette, call someone to help talk you out of it - preferably an ex-smoker.

Learn How To Handle Surges To Smoke And Stress

Be aware of things that may cause you to want to smoke. For example:

  • Being around other smokers
  • Being under time pressure
  • Getting into an argument
  • Feeling sad or frustrated
  • Drinking alcohol

Avoid difficult situations while you are trying to quit. Try to lower your stress level. Take time to do things you enjoy. Exercise, such as walking, jogging, or bicycling can also help.

The key to handling an urge is to distract yourself from thoughts of smoking:

  • Talk to someone
  • Get busy with a task
  • Read a book.

Other Methods

Other methods are sometimes used to quit smoking. While some people may find these methods helpful, there are not enough studies to prove that they work. Such methods include:

  • Hypnosis
  • Acupuncture

Set Goals

  • Set a quit date.
  • Tell your family, friends, and coworkers that you are going to quit, and when. Ask them for support and understanding.
  • Make and keep appointments with health care professionals - within 1 or 2 weeks after your quit date.

Make Changes Before You Quit

  • Change your environment. Get rid of cigarettes and ashtrays in your home, car, and place of work. Get rid of the smell of cigarettes in your car and home. Avoid other tobacco products, such as cigars, pipes, and chewing tobacco.
  • Begin to change your habits. Avoid smoking in places where you spend a lot of time, such as your home or car.
  • Review your past attempts to quit. Think about what worked and what did not.

Questions to Think About

Think about the following questions before trying to stop smoking. You may want to talk about your answers with your health care provider.

  1. Why do you want to quit?
  2. When you tried to quit in the past, what helped and what didn't?
  3. What will be the most difficult situations for you after you quit? How do you plan to handle them?
  4. Who can help you through the tough time? Your health care provider? Family? Friends? Ex-smokers?
  5. What pleasures do you get from smoking? Why do you think you will be able to give them up?

Here are some questions to ask your health care provider.

  1. How will I feel when I stop smoking? What will withdrawal be like?
  2. How can you help me to be successful at quitting?
  3. What should I do if I need more help?

Facts About Smoking, Quitting, And Gaining Weight

  • Weight gain varies from person to person. The average person gains less than 10 pounds.
  • The weight gained is a minor health risk compared to the risks of smoking.
  • Women tend to gain slightly ore weight than men. African Americans, people under age 44, and heavy smokers are at greater risk for major weight gain, but your personal experience may be different.
  • Exercising, eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grain cereals and pasta, avoiding a lot of fats, and getting enough sleep can help.
  • Nicotine gum appears to help prevent or delay weight gain.

Looking good is a lot more than how much you weigh. Smelling clean and having your clothes free of smoke, having fresh breath, and feeling healthier and good about yourself can make you more attractive.

Focus on quitting before worrying about possible weight gain.

Snuff and Chew Are Bad For You.

  • Using smokeless tobacco can be as harmful as smoking. Using it can quickly lead to addiction.
  • Like smoking, dipping or chewing has serious health effects, including oral cancer, gum problems, loss of teeth, and heart problems.
  • Like smoking, the use of smokeless tobacco can be treated by counseling, help in handling difficult situations, and perhaps the nicotine patch or nicotine gum.

How To Avoid Relapses

Most relapses occur within the first 3 months after quitting. Don't be discouraged if you start smoking again. Remember, most people try several times before they finally quit. Explore different ways to break habits. You may have to deal with some of the following triggers that may cause relapse.

  • Alcohol. Consider limiting or stopping alcohol use while you are quitting smoking.
  • Other smokers at home. Try to get your spouse or housemates to quit with your. Work out a plan to cope with others who smoke, and avoid being around them.
  • Weight gain. Tackle one problem at a time. Work on quitting smoking first. Consider using nicotine gum to delay weight gain. (You will not necessarily gain weight.)
  • Negative mood or depression. If these symptoms persist, talk to your health care provider. You may need treatment for depression.
  • Severe withdrawal symptoms. Your body will go through many changes when you quit smoking. You may have a dry mouth, cough, or scratchy throat, and feel on edge. The patch or gum may help with cravings.
  • Thoughts. Get your mind off cigarettes. Exercise and do things you enjoy.
  • Keep a list. Keep a list of "slips" and near slips, what caused them, and what you can learn from them.

Special Care Required

  • Pregnant women/new mothers: Smoking puts your baby at risk for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), poor lung development, asthma, and infections.
  • Hospitalized patients: Smoking slows recovery from illness and surgery. It slows bone and wound healing. Most hospitals do not allow smoking.
  • Heart attack patients: Second heart attacks are more common in people who continue to smoke
  • Lung, head, and neck cancer patients: Smoking can cause a second cancer, even after successful treatment
  • Children and adolescents: Young people who smoke become addicted faster than adults. Those who live with smokers are at special risk of health problems from breathing others' smoke.

You Can Quit Smoking!

Additional resources:

American Heart Association
www.americanheart.org

American Cancer Society
www.cancer.org

American Lung Association
www.lungusa.org

National Cancer Institute
www.cancer.gov