Quitting smoking can be challenging, but it is not impossible. There are many different paths to smoke cessation.
In this article, we’ve gathered some facts and the most effective methods you can use to make a more educated choice on quitting smoking. Keep reading!
Smoke cessation facts
- After 20 minutes of smoke cessation, your blood pressure and pulse decrease.
- One year after quitting, the heart attack risk is halved.
- 55 million adults (61.7% of adult smokers) who ever smoked quit in 2018, according to a study made in 2019 about Tobacco Product Use and Cessation Indicators Among Adults.
- According to WHO, only 4% of people who try to quit smoking tobacco will thrive without any cessation support.
- The current number of people who smoke has declined from 20.9% in 2005 to 12.5% in 2020 in the United States.
- The sooner you quit smoking, the faster you reduce the risk of cancer, heart and lung disease, and other smoking-related conditions.
- 15 years after quitting smoking, you would have decreased the risk of developing pancreatic cancer at the same level as a non-smoker.
- 20 years after stopping smoking, the risk of death from smoking-related causes drops to the level of someone who has never smoked.
- Establishing a plan to deal with cravings and triggers is essential if you want to achieve smoke cessation successfully.
The most effective methods to quit smoking
The effectiveness of these methods depends on several factors, like how long you smoke or how many cigarettes you smoke per day.
Check out some methods you can try!
Behavioral therapy
This method consists of seeking the help of a counselor to develop a plan to quit smoking.
The professional should assist you in identifying triggers, which are the situations and emotions that make you resort to smoking. With their help, it should also be possible to find ways to overcome cravings.
There are several methods, and the sessions may vary according to them. But, generally speaking, programs of this type use a cut-off date that you choose to stop smoking.
You can find specialists in hospitals, clinics, and support groups, which are usually free or low-cost.
There are also free online resources provided by the governments or organizations such as the American Lung Association.
Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT)
Tobacco products, like cigarettes, are addictive because they contain nicotine. This highly addictive chemical compound is why people keep smoking even when they want to stop.
Nicotine replacement therapy helps you to achieve smoke cessation by providing smaller doses of the chemical over time. This happens without you coming into contact with cigarette smoke, which is full of toxic chemicals.
NRTs are available over-the-counter and by prescription and are FDA-approved for sale for those over 18 years of age.
Products include skin patches, chewing gum, lozenges, Nicotine spray,
Nicotine inhaler, etc.
Prescription medications
Medications for people who are quitting smoking are only sold with a prescription from your doctor. You must start any of the medicines before the withdrawal date. This happens to give it the time to build up in your system.
Medications like varenicline (Chantix) work with the part of your brain that reacts to nicotine. The result is that you start to like smoking less. This medication also works as a way to relieve withdrawal symptoms.
Why combine treatments?
Using simultaneous treatments can increase the chances of success. For example, you can start a behavioral therapy process while using nicotine replacement products. There are even some recent studies that show that.
And to find more free resources on smoke cessation, treatments, ways to deal with this process, etc., you can keep navigating our website and check our content!
