It's difficult to quit smoking. Even those who were successful in their efforts will likely say it was incredibly difficult. There are a many methods to try and quit smoking. If you aren't successful with one, try another.It's imperative for your health (and the health of those around you)that you quit smoking as soon as possible. Always check with your doctor before starting any non-smoking program. Cold turkey is the number one way that people try to quit smoking. However, this is usually not successful. Basically cold turkey means that you stop smoking cigarettes one day and never have another one.
While some people believe that they have the will power to do it, it really has little to do with willpower and more to do with that fact that your body is physically addicted to nicotine and you can have fairly serious withdrawal symptoms. Cold turkey does work for some people, but in general within a few days most people start smoking again.
Another option is to use nicotine gum or patches to slowly wean yourself off of your nicotine addiction. There are directions on the packages for use, and many people find this method a great way to quit smoking. This way you can also wean yourself off at your own pace. Be sure to follow directions on the package very carefully. The best idea is to make an appointment with your doctor to discuss your plan. Some people do find this method unsuccessful because it does not satisfy the hand to mouth habit that smoking has developed. Unfortunately smoking usually becomes not only a physical addiction but a mental and emotional one as well.
Finally, you can use medication to help you beat your smoking habit and nicotine addiction. Make an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible and discuss your options. They can prescribe a medication that has few side effects and has a good success rate. Never begin taking someone else’s prescription medication, some medications could interfere with other medications you are currently taking.
Quitting smoking is a lifelong process. Many people find the social habit of smoking hard to beat long after the nicotine addiction is gone. You may need to temporarily alter your lifestyle while trying to quit smoking. For example many people enjoy a cigarette with a drink with friends. This social habit can be difficult to break and you may want to avoid any of these pitfalls for a while when you are still in the process of getting over the nicotine habit.
See your doctor immediately if you smoke. If you successfully quit smoking now you can add years to your life possibly avoid many diseases that are a result of smoking. Quit smoking now and do yourself and you body a favor.
