I've seen this question asked in many stop smoking forums but the answers tend to focus on promoting just one solution. In truth smokers who want to quit usually have a number of choices.
The other truth is... there is no one best way.
While it's a fair question to ask, a better question is "which is the best way to stop smoking for me?" Depending on your own circumstances one or more of the options could help you break-free of the smoking trap.
In this article I'll cover: prescription drugs, stop smoking aids, and popular alternatives such as "cold turkey," hypnosis and acupuncture and explain how each work so you can decide which is best for you to try.
PRESCRIPTION DRUGS:
People are introduced to drugs through the medical profession because products such as Chantix and Zyban require prescriptions. These drugs have the potential for significant side-effects and so access is controlled.
Prescription drugs work on reducing your cravings while still continuing to smoke until you pick a date to quit, usually after a set period like two weeks. You'll continue to take the drug for a period after quitting helping alleviate withdrawal symptoms. Critics of these drugs point to other alternatives available to help with cravings and without the risk prescription drugs pose. These alternatives include the category of quit smoking aids.
STOP SMOKING AIDS:
Stop smoking aids can now be purchased over the counter without prescription. Common quit smoking aids include patches, gum and lozenges. These are also referred to as Nicotine Replacement Therapy or NRT.
Both patches and gum work on reducing dependence on nicotine by controlling how much nicotine enters your bloodstream at a pre-arranged rate. It steps down your exposure until you no longer have the cravings. Whether you use patches or gum depends on your preference. They both work the same way.
NRT products can take a number of attempts to work and expenses can mount up quickly. Like drugs, stop smoking aids' major drawback is they don't address the habit of smoking which can remain dormant for many years and suddenly get triggered by an event returning the smoker to cigarettes.
COLD TURKEY:
Other choices to drugs and aids are "cold turkey," acupuncture and hypnosis.
Quitting "Cold Turkey" is the term used to describe somebody that sets a date to quit, and on that date determines not to smoke cigarettes anymore. No drugs, no aids, just sheer will power... and a lot of support. "Cold turkey" can work under the right personal circumstances and attitude.
"Cold Turkey" is the most common method for first-time quitters - it is also - unfortunately the least successful method of stopping requiring a tremendous amount of resolve to overcome the cravings.
ACUPUNCTURE:
The ancient Chinese therapy of acupuncture has been adopted to help smokers to quit cigarettes and has benefited from a growing number rejecting remedies from pharmaceutical companies.
Acupuncture aims to provide relief with the cravings of smoking by placing needles in the ear and on the hands and wrist during a session lasting up to one hour. Multiple sessions are usually required. The procedure is not painful but very relaxing. The scientific community has been the most vocal critic of acupuncture as an effective alternative therapy.
HYPNOSIS
Hypnosis works in smoking cessation by tackling the habit itself as this is usually what causes most people to return to smoking. Traditionally, people see a certified hypnotist for at least one session where the hypnotist works with the smoker to change the way their subconscious mind views the smoking habit.
Working with a hypnotherapist the smoker is provided techniques and tools to reinforce the sessions and assist with any cravings that may persist. More recently self-hypnosis stop smoking products such as those on CD or sessions you can download from the internet have become popular.
While embraced more than acupuncture by the scientific community, therapeutic hypnosis is often confused with stage hypnosis which provides entertainment value only and hence discarded by many as a serious alternative to becoming smoke free.
There is no shortage of options for smokers wishing to quit and now you understand how each one works you can make an intelligent choice about the method that is most likely to get you out of the smoking trap for good.
The other truth is... there is no one best way.
While it's a fair question to ask, a better question is "which is the best way to stop smoking for me?" Depending on your own circumstances one or more of the options could help you break-free of the smoking trap.
In this article I'll cover: prescription drugs, stop smoking aids, and popular alternatives such as "cold turkey," hypnosis and acupuncture and explain how each work so you can decide which is best for you to try.
PRESCRIPTION DRUGS:
People are introduced to drugs through the medical profession because products such as Chantix and Zyban require prescriptions. These drugs have the potential for significant side-effects and so access is controlled.
Prescription drugs work on reducing your cravings while still continuing to smoke until you pick a date to quit, usually after a set period like two weeks. You'll continue to take the drug for a period after quitting helping alleviate withdrawal symptoms. Critics of these drugs point to other alternatives available to help with cravings and without the risk prescription drugs pose. These alternatives include the category of quit smoking aids.
STOP SMOKING AIDS:
Stop smoking aids can now be purchased over the counter without prescription. Common quit smoking aids include patches, gum and lozenges. These are also referred to as Nicotine Replacement Therapy or NRT.
Both patches and gum work on reducing dependence on nicotine by controlling how much nicotine enters your bloodstream at a pre-arranged rate. It steps down your exposure until you no longer have the cravings. Whether you use patches or gum depends on your preference. They both work the same way.
NRT products can take a number of attempts to work and expenses can mount up quickly. Like drugs, stop smoking aids' major drawback is they don't address the habit of smoking which can remain dormant for many years and suddenly get triggered by an event returning the smoker to cigarettes.
COLD TURKEY:
Other choices to drugs and aids are "cold turkey," acupuncture and hypnosis.
Quitting "Cold Turkey" is the term used to describe somebody that sets a date to quit, and on that date determines not to smoke cigarettes anymore. No drugs, no aids, just sheer will power... and a lot of support. "Cold turkey" can work under the right personal circumstances and attitude.
"Cold Turkey" is the most common method for first-time quitters - it is also - unfortunately the least successful method of stopping requiring a tremendous amount of resolve to overcome the cravings.
ACUPUNCTURE:
The ancient Chinese therapy of acupuncture has been adopted to help smokers to quit cigarettes and has benefited from a growing number rejecting remedies from pharmaceutical companies.
Acupuncture aims to provide relief with the cravings of smoking by placing needles in the ear and on the hands and wrist during a session lasting up to one hour. Multiple sessions are usually required. The procedure is not painful but very relaxing. The scientific community has been the most vocal critic of acupuncture as an effective alternative therapy.
HYPNOSIS
Hypnosis works in smoking cessation by tackling the habit itself as this is usually what causes most people to return to smoking. Traditionally, people see a certified hypnotist for at least one session where the hypnotist works with the smoker to change the way their subconscious mind views the smoking habit.
Working with a hypnotherapist the smoker is provided techniques and tools to reinforce the sessions and assist with any cravings that may persist. More recently self-hypnosis stop smoking products such as those on CD or sessions you can download from the internet have become popular.
While embraced more than acupuncture by the scientific community, therapeutic hypnosis is often confused with stage hypnosis which provides entertainment value only and hence discarded by many as a serious alternative to becoming smoke free.
There is no shortage of options for smokers wishing to quit and now you understand how each one works you can make an intelligent choice about the method that is most likely to get you out of the smoking trap for good.
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