Notes About Health

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.

Other available options are nicotine gum and patches. Using these tools help you to come off your addiction to cigarettes, or other forms of nicotine, more slowly. Again, before using either of these methods you should discuss it with your doctor. Once you get the go-ahead, carefully follow all the directions. Unfortunately, part of the addiction is the habit of smoking itself. Besides the physical addiction, you are mentally and emotionally addicted as well. The hand to mouth motion is habit forming as is the oral gratification.

Your doctor might prescribe medication to help you kick the smoking habit and addiction to nicotine. Discuss your options with the doctor and try to use the method with the fewest side effects and best success rate. Don’t ever make the mistake of taking another person’s medicine as it might interfere with something you are taking.

If you are successful in your quest to stop smoking, know that the process will go on for the rest of your life. The social aspects are still there, even if you’ve beat the addiction. In the beginning stages at least, you may need to change your lifestyle. An example of what this means is to consider how many people like a cigarette with their drinks. Until you gain some confidence it would probably be best to tell your friends you won’t go out drinking for a while.

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.