There are several methods that can be
used to assist smokers to quit the habit
Nicotine replacement therapy
offers alternative means of getting Nicotine into the body whilst avoiding the
act of smoking (Maisto et al, 2011). This program offers the possibility of
providing an individual’s body which is used to smoking with a source of
nicotine in order to avoid getting it from Tobacco. The rationale behind this
method is that it is easier to introduce the body to lesser and lesser amount
of Nicotine in a progressive program than to completely cease cigarette smoking
at once. Nicotine replacement therapy incorporates; Nicotine patches, ingestable
tablets, chewing gum, lozenges and inhalable sprays. NRT helps to avoid the
withdrawal symptoms that are associated with the cessation of smoking. Nicotine
is still received by the body but as the program progresses, a step-down
procedure is used to gradually reduce the amounts of Nicotine introduced into
the blood stream. The trick here is first to avoid cigarettes then to slowly
reduce the amounts of Nicotine given so as to avoid the adverse effect that
withdrawal symptoms can have on someone who is trying to quit smoking. It is
important to note that the Nicotine replacement is not the magic solution to
stopping smoking but it is just an aid that helps addicts who have made a
decision to quit and start a smoking cessation program (Maisto et al, 2011).
NRT is the best program for addicts who are aiming to quit smoking because it
offers a realistic approach by appreciating that self-will to stop is hard.
This program therefore offers an option of continued provision of Nicotine in
the blood temporary as the body slowly adapts to lower amounts of nicotine
intake and finally to zero smoking.
1.Nicotine Gum (available in drug stores)
is one of the replacement products that is used in the therapy. The gum
contains some amount of Nicotine that is used as a source of the drug instead
of smoking Tobacco (Brannon, 2010). The gum is not sold as a prescription drug
and can be found both in drug stores or general retail stores. Smokers can chew
from ten to thirty pieces of gum in a day to avoid the craving for cigarettes.
The resultant effect then is that an individual will be able to refrain from
smoking without feeling major withdrawal symptoms which is usually the major
cause of relapse. The nicotine released is absorbed through the mucous membranes
in the mouth and therefore swallowing the gum will not help because the drug
will not be absorbed in the stomach. It is also important to avoid intake of
acidic beverages during and before chewing because they reduce the rate of
nicotine absorption. Once one has started chewing the gum, they should not
smoke because the game would have already provided the gum that the body is craving
for. In case of an urge to relapse to smoking after the use of gum has been
withdrawn, it is advisable to go back to chewing which is much safer.
3.The
other core NRT product is the Nicotine
Patch (available in drug strore). This is a medical patch that contains nicotine. It is applied on the
skin and the drug is released continuously into the blood stream (Brannon,
2010). The patch is also bought as an over-the-counter medication but much
attention is pointed towards seeking the advise of a physician. There might be
some instances where doctors will advise against the use of patches for example
where an individual has a cardiovascular disease or is under other medications
that may not go well with Nicotine patches. The Nicotine released from the
patch eliminates the need for an addict to continue smoking. A smoker also
needs to take the initiative of stopping the habit since even without the
Nicotine craving, the tendency to smoke is also behavioral and may be done out
of mere habit. The patches differ in strength and smokers start with the strong
ones and it is advisable to reduce the strength as time goes by and craving
wears out. Patches are applied daily to the skin with alterations being made on
the spot attached. It is worthy to note that craving may not stop on the spot
but the effects of withdrawal symptoms will be reduced therefore making it
easier for smokers who have taken a personal decision to stop smoking (Brannon,
2010)
The
first step towards stopping smoking is the contemplation stage where an addict begins
to appreciate the need to stop smoking. Here the smoker is still a habitual
consumer of nicotine but this stage makes the start of the psychological
preparation to quit smoking. The preparation stage then follows where the
smoker makes the initiative to set a specific time and date when they
anticipate to start the cessation program (Stritzke et al 2009). By this time,
the individual would have chosen a Nicotine replacement product that they will
opt for their program. The preparation stage completes the psychological part
where the addict is now fully aware of what is required during the process and
the side effects they are likely to endure. Having prepared themselves, the
person then undertakes the Action stage where Nicotine replacement actually
starts. The addict will now use the patch, gum or the other NRT products while
avoiding cigarettes. Maintenance and Termination are the last step which should
also be continuous (Stritzke et al 2009). The use of the products is continued until
one is confident that they can resist smoking, that is when one can terminate
the therapy, it is however advisable to go back to the action stage in the case
of the urge to relapse.
Smoking
cessation is an initiative that comes from within the smokers themselves. Other
stakeholders like health care providers and the community at large also come in
to offer support in terms of professional advice and motivation. Support groups
also play a big role in helping the addicts in the form of building
psychological strength to continue with cessation programs. The state should
also come into campaigns to stop smoking. This is not only by banning and
imposing disincentives such as heavy taxation but also by establishing state
funded smoking cessation programs to help addicts.
