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[P735]Programs To Quit Smoking

by Sally Rutherford, Sal

Quiting smoking is one of the most difficult things to do. You have to battle with withdrawal symptoms that are physical as well as psychological. Fortunately, there are several quit smoking support programs present throughout our country to help smokers win this battle.
The most common withdrawal symptoms are mood changes, anxiety, depression and frustration. One also tends to be irritable and restless during the initial days.
Both self-help groups and clinics offer the quit smoking support programs. Most of these programs are run by professionals and can be customized to meet your needs. You can either attend an intensive quit smoking support program that runs for a week to fifteen days or enroll yourself for weekly sessions.
The popularity of the quit smoking support programs is mainly due to the extensive counseling that they provide to smokers. They teach you to deal with withdrawal symptoms. They also provide you support and guidance at every step by understanding your problems. You can talk with the counselors even after you have finished the program. This can help prevent a relapse.
Besides counseling, most quit smoking support programs also prescribe nicotine replacement therapy or NRT. Some also suggest medication like Zyban. You can also choose from alternative treatments like hypnosis procedures, acupressure and meditation though these are often not very successful.
The advantage with NRT is that it reduces your craving for nicotine. You can use NRT in the form of gums, patches, sprays and inhalers. Though gums and patches are available over the counter other forms of NRT can be taken only under medical supervision. They reduce your nicotine dependency by releasing a small quantity of nicotine into the body. The dosage can be regulated to control the withdrawal symptoms, and stopped completely once your urge to smoke disappears.
Zyban creates a false feeling of pleasure in the person, a feeling that is similar to the one experienced while smoking. This drug should be taken strictly under medical supervision. It has a few side effects associated with it, and should be avoided by people suffering from heart disease, epilepsy and pregnant women.
Along with medication, the quit smoking support professionals counsel the smokers about the benefits of not smoking. The sessions can be on an individual basis or in the form of group sessions. Sometimes an ex-addict can also share his experiences. Such sessions are extremely motivating because they give the smokers the belief that they can actually quit smoking.
Since the chances of a relapse are very high, most quit smoking support programs have a 24-hour help line service where counselors listen to queries and provide solutions. At the end of a program the smokers are given listening and reading material to reinforce their resolve to quit smoking.
Quit smoking support can also be extended by friends and family members. They can play a big role in keeping their friend or relative occupied. They can also help in preventing relapse by urging the smokers to return to the quit smoking support program if the need arises.

So you've decided you want to quit smoking? Did you know that most people fail the first, 2nd, even 3rd time they try to quit? Do you want to follow that pattern? Maybe you have tried to quit before only to smoke again. Preparing yourself mentally can be the difference between quiting and not quiting. Read on to find out more...
Do you really want to quit smoking?
The first question to ask yourself is what are the reasons why you want to quit smoking? If your answer is because someone told you it would be better for your health, it costs too much money, someone else wants you to quit or some other reason along those lines; chances are you probably won't succeed. You have to really want it for you! Make a list of the reasons why YOU want to quit smoking for YOU.
Why do you like to smoke?
Now make a list of all of the reasons why you like to smoke. Is it the taste of the cigarette? Alone? With Coffee? After a meal? Or perhaps it's the way it makes you feel. Happy? Pleasurable? Relaxed? Powerful? Important? Or perhaps smoking helps you not to feel. Does smoking numb your feelings? Reduce your feelings of stress? Or fear? Relieve your feelings of boredom? Or loneliness? Whatever the reasons, write them down.
What will you substitute for smoking?
Next you need to decide what you'll substitute for smoking. Yes, you can get a nicotine substitute for the physical sensations you'll feel when you quit. But what are you going to substitute for the emotional sensations you'll feel when you quit smoking? Next to each reason you listed why you like to smoke, write down something you can do to generate those same or similar sensations or feelings.
Some suggestions are:
- Surround yourself with positive, supportive people who will help you feel good about yourself.
- Take up a new hobby such as knitting, model airplanes, scrapbooking or puzzles; anything that will keep your hands and mind busy, generate feelings of pleasure and give you a sense of accomplishment.
- Incorporate physical activity into your daily routine. Whether it's a 10 minute walk or a bike ride with your kids, any activity that will support your efforts to quit, reduce your stress level and improve your overall health.
Following the tips covered in this article may increase your chances of successfully becoming a non-smoker. What are the reasons you really, really, want to quit for YOU? Why do you like to smoke? What else can you substitute to generate those sensations or feelings that you get from smoking? Remember, if you want to increase your odds of successfully quitting smoking, become emotionally ready first.

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Sally Rutherford has sinced written about articles on various topics from Best Beach in World, Personal Desktop and Entertainment Guide. Mac Rush is an expert in several health related areas. Check out his recommended product onquiting smoking here. Sally Rutherford's top article generates over 246000 views. Bookmark Sally Rutherford to your Favourites.