The following listed below are excerpt from the Department of Rehabilitation Therapies, Pulmonary Rehabilitation Division, University of Iowa Health Care.

NICOTINE FADING

 

When using this method, individuals reduce the nicotine level of cigarettes smoked by 30/60/90 percent over a three week period and stop altogether during the fourth week. This method may help reduce the effects of nicotine withdrawal symptoms. The American Lung Association can provide a list of the nicotine levels of the cigarette brands. This method is simple, self-managed and inexpensive, but requires a high level of motivation and adherence.
Factors to Consider:

 

• Easy to follow
• Inexpensive
• The smoker must have a high level of motivation

 

NICOTINE GUM

 

Nicotine gum provides an alternate source of nicotine and helps reduce withdrawal symptoms. It requires smokers to discontinue the use of cigarettes when using the gum. Individuals who are highly addicted to cigarettes have a greater chance of becoming dependent on the gum. This method is self-managed but requires a high level of motivation and adherence. Smokers often need to chew 10 to 12 pieces of gum daily over a 3 to 6 month period. This can cost up to several hundred dollars, but is less expensive than smoking. Few insurance policies cover this expense. Nicotine gum is not recommended for use in pregnancy, for a person who has recently suffered a heart attack, persons with life-threatening heart rhythms, severe or worsening chest pain, or with active TMJ or joint disease of the jaw. Minor side effects from the gum include lightheadedness, nausea, mouth and throat irritation, hiccups, and an excess amount of saliva.

Factors to Consider:

 

• This process can be managed alone
• The smoker must have a high level of motivation
• The smoker must stop smoking completely when using the nicotine gum
• Minor side effects may include lightheadedness, nausea, sore mouth, hiccups and excess amount of saliva
• The gum is not recommended during pregnancy, following a heart attack or other heart problems, or if there is joint disease of the jaw
• Denture-wearers may not be able to use the gum
• Long-term smokers are more likely to become dependent on the gum
• Insurance may not cover the cost of the gum
• Nicotine gum is available over-the-counter

 

NICOTINE TRANSDERMAL (SKIN) PATCH

 

Transdermal patches are thin medicated patches, which are attached to the skin with adhesive. They provide an alternate source of nicotine, and so help reduce withdrawal symptoms. It requires smokers to discontinue the use of cigarettes when using the patch. This method is a good choice for a highly addictive smoker, particularly if they have been smoking a cigarette with a high level of nicotine. Each patch lasts 24 hours. In order to be successful, individuals must have a high level of motivation and adherence.

Factors to Consider:

 

• One patch is applied every 24 hours
• The smoker must have a high level of motivation
• The smoker must NOT smoke when using the patch
• Common side effects are skin redness at the patch site when the patch is removed and restless sleep
• The patch is not recommended during pregnancy, or if there is a history of high blood pressure or other heart diseases
• Insurance may not cover the cost of the patch
• The patch is available over-the-counter

 

ZYBAN

Zyban is a prescription medicine to help people stop smoking. It does not contain any nicotine so it is very different from the nicotine replacement therapies such as the patches or gum. Although it is not known exactly how Zyban works, it has been shown to help individuals stop smoking, as well as reduce nicotine withdrawal symptoms and cravings. The most common side effects include dry mouth, insomnia, agitation and difficulty sleeping. Individuals should not increase the dosage of Zyban without their doctor’s knowledge because it can cause seizures at higher than recommended dosages.
Zyban is not a new medicine. It has been manufactured and distributed as an anti-depressant medicine called Wellbutrin. Zyban was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1997 as an aid to smoking cessation treatment.

Factors to Consider:

 

• Zyban is not for everyone. There is a risk of seizure associated with Zyban.
• You should not take Zyban if you have a seizure disorder, are currently taking MAO inhibitors, Wellbutrin, Wellbutrin SR, or have an eating disorder
• The most common side effects with Zyban are dry mouth and trouble sleeping
• Zyban is available by prescription only
• Insurance may pay for Zyban
• Zyban may be used in combination with the nicotine patch; however, blood pressure should be monitored during treatment

 

Hypnosis

 

Hypnosis for smokers works by deeply relaxing you in a way that your body becomes open to new and better ‘programming’ for a healthier non-smoking you. It is relaxation and also a kind of re-programming (you set the programming you want) with affirmations like ‘I am a non smoker and feel really good about it’

 

 

 

 

 

Acupuncture

 

More treatments include acupuncture which works by stimulating specific acupuncture points on various parts of the body with needles which affect the physiology of the body. It has been reported that acupuncture is good for stopping cravings and gives some relief for withdrawal symptoms which can support your commitment to quit.

 

 

 

CBT and NLP

 

Behavioural treatments like cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) take at both the physical and psychological aspects into account. with these therapies you might focus on times when you are at a higher risk of smoking and develop some coping strategies to deal with those times and with occasions when you are apt to be more stressed and likely to want to take out a cigarette to calm yourself down. With NLP you may be invited to study and ‘model’ the behaviour of a non-smoker or someone who has successfully quit and has a succesful quit smoking story.

 

Counseling Services

 

All of these options are most successful when combined with modification of behaviors that were previously associated with smoking. Additional counseling may include stress management, weight control, and tips for preventing relapse.

 

Combined Therapies

 

Studies show that smokers who use a combination of cessation aids greatly increase their chances of remaining smoke-free. Smokers who used a combination of a nicotine patch and nasal spray doubled their chances of remaining smoke free for six years. In another study, researchers compared the effects of treating smokers with Zyban alone, the patch alone, both Zyban and the patch, or a placebo (sugar pill). The group with the highest rate of success were those who used Zyban and the patch. Other studies have shown evidence that nicotine replacement therapy, in combination with behavioral or psychological support is more successful than drug therapy alone.

 

Your family physician can help advise you on which method of quitting might be best for you. All of these methods are most successful when combined with a support group or smoking cessation program that discusses stress management, weight control, resistance to social pressure, and suggestions for resisting the temptation to light up.