Ways to Quit Smoking

Very Hard To Quit Smoker who are able to quit without help consist only about 5 percent. The success rate averages about 30 percent for people who combine pharmacologic therapy with support and counseling from a health care provider.

Pharmacologic Therapy

"Pharmacologic therapy, in addition to support and counseling, is the state-of-the-art treatment right now,'' says Dr. Hurt, who leads a team of Mayo scientists evaluating smoking cessation therapies. "It's a pretty small price to pay for an increased success rate." If you've failed in past attempts to stop smoking, there is still hope for success.

Cigarette Substitutes

Richard D. Hurt, M.D. says the most promising smoking cessation medications currently available use means other than cigarettes to deliver smaller amounts of nicotine to the brain or alter the release of brain chemicals to mimic the effect of nicotine. The treatments are short-term. Their purpose is to relieve the withdrawal symptoms that make it so difficult to stop smoking. Not Well-Established The least hairy, unshaven areas are best. The optimal length of treatment is not well-established; it depends on the individual needs of each person. The usual length of treatment is 6 to 8 weeks. Advantages: There are few side effects. It's easy to use and only needs to be applied once a day. Disadvantages: Dosage is less flexible than other products, and the nicotine is delivered relatively slowly to the brain. Mild skin rashes are common.

Nasal Spray

The nicotine in Nicotrol NS is sprayed directly into each nostril. It is absorbed through nasal membranes into blood veins, returned to the heart, then sent to the brain. The spray provides a quicker delivery system than nicotine gum, although not nearly as quick as a cigarette. The usual dose - one spray into each nostril - is 1 milligram (mg) of nicotine.

Eight Doses Per Day

People typically are directed to start with one to two doses per hour, with a minimum of eight doses per day and a maximum of 40 doses per day. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for instructions. For most people, use of the spray should be reduced 6 to 8 weeks into the treatment.

Advantages:

It's flexible in schedule of use. It delivers nicotine rapidly for quick reduction in cravings. You can use it in response to urges to smoke. Disadvantages: During the early days of treatment, it can be irritating to the nose, causing a hot, peppery feeling along with watery eyes, runny nose, coughing and sneezing.

Smoker's Nicorette Gum

The strategy for using nicotine gum is to "bite a few times and park it between the cheek and gums," says Dr. Hurt. That's because nicotine from the gum is absorbed through the lining of the mouth. It's not absorbed from the stomach. If you chew the gum rapidly and swallow the saliva, you may become nauseated - and you'll not get the desired level of nicotine.

Dr. Hurt

Marketed as Nicorette, the gum comes in 2 mg and 4 mg doses. Dr. Hurt says the 4 mg dose is more appropriate for heavy smokers. When properly used, it takes about 30 minutes to absorb all the nicotine from the gum. Advantages: It's convenient and flexible in schedule of use. Disadvantages: You can't eat or drink anything when the gum is in your mouth. If you have dental problems or arthritis of the jaw joint, it may be best to avoid nicotine gum.