Kicking the nicotine habit is possible when withdrawal and dependence are addressed properly. The body adjusts to a certain level of nicotine in the body which takes time to balance once a person quits smoking. Withdrawal occurs when nicotine is taken away from the body and the resulting chemical imbalance throws the body out of alignment. Tobacco and nicotine dependence often require multiple attempts to quit. Find out what methods are effective to increase the possibility of long term success.
Recommended Nicotine Treatments
The combination of medication and counseling has been found to be most effective for quitting tobacco. Medication and counseling are less effective alone than combined together for nicotine cessation. The following are some recommended treatments for withdrawal.
Alternative medicine: acupuncture, hypnosis and biofeedback are great alternative treatments for nicotine withdrawal. Electrostimulation or laser acupuncture may also help individuals open to such treatments experience some benefit.
Clinical interventions: ask a doctor to take 10 minutes to give advice and assistance about quitting tobacco. Information helps prepare and get support for nicotine withdrawal.
Counseling: addiction is both physical and mental which can require intense therapeutic support. Individual, group or phone counseling can support individuals through withdrawal and abstinence from nicotine. Person-to-person treatment with four or more sessions can be quite effective in increasing rates of abstinence from nicotine addiction. To be most effective, counseling should be:
- Practically based in problem solving/skills training
- Provide social support as part of treatment
Medication: many effective medicines are available to treat tobacco dependence. Two main types include the following:
- Nicotine replacement products: available over-the-counter and by prescription. Nicotine patches, gum, lozenges, inhalers and nasal spray are examples. Nicotine replacement products can help relieve nicotine cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
- Prescription non-nicotine medications: cravings and withdrawal symptoms can be relieved by prescription medications bupropion and varenicline. Long-term nicotine abstinences has been associated with these products. Bupropion helps block reuptake of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain and blocks receptors. Decreased cravings and an increased positive outlook on life are a result of using prescription medications.
Quitting Nicotine for Good
A person who wants to quit nicotine has many options available. For the individual who wants a different route than the above mentioned ones or is interested in pursuing additional support can find many tailored self-help materials such as brochures and books online and in stores. A person can focus on learning problem solving techniques, identifying triggers and looking at mental patterns behind the use of nicotine to prevent slip-ups or a full relapse. Nicotine withdrawal can be a challenge but is not impossible to overcome with the support of friends, family and loved ones in addition to resources available to help an individual be tobacco free for life.
Hired Power can help you kick the habit. Call today 800-910-9299 for more information on how we can support your journey to being tobacco free.