Effective Treatments for Quit Smoking

Extensive research has shown that treatments for tobacco addiction work. Although some smokers may leave without help, many people need help to leave. This is especially important because nicotine cessation can be immediate health benefits. For example, within 24 hours of quitting, the possibility of blood pressure and heart attack decreases. Long-term benefits of nicotine cessation include reduction of risk of stroke, lung and other cancers, and coronary heart disease. A 35-year-old person, who smokes, on average, increases his life expectancy to 5.1 years.

Behavioral Treatment to Quit Smoking

Behavioral interventions play an integral role in the treatment of nicotine cessation, either with medication or alone. They use a variety of methods to help smokers, ranging from self-help material to personal cognitive-behavioral therapy.

Smoking Replacement Treatment

Smoking Replacement Treatment (NRT), such as nicotine gum and transversal nicotine patches, was the first pharmacological analysis approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for smoking cessation therapy. NRT is used to relieve the withdrawal symptoms (in combination with behavioral support) - they produce less severe physical changes than tobacco-based systems, and generally provide less overall smoke levels to users those who get along with tobacco. An added advantage is that there is very little abuse capacity in these forms of nicotine because they do not produce the pleasant effect of tobacco products - nor do they contain carcinogens and gas associated with tobacco smoke. Apart from those which are recommended on packaging labels, behavioral treatment, NRTs have been shown to increase the effectiveness and improve long-term results. These interventions teach individuals to identify high risk of smoke conditions, to develop alternate combat strategies, to manage stress, to improve problem solving skills and to enhance social support. Research has also shown that as much as the treatment is in accordance with the condition of a person, the more likely it is for success. Traditionally, behavioral approaches were developed and delivered through formal settings, such as nicotine-cessation clinics and community and public health settings.

Quitting smoking can be tricky. While an intervention can be helped during the delivery, most intervention programs are short-lived (1-3 months). Within 6 months, 75-80 percent of people try to quit smoking. Research has now shown that treatment beyond a specific period of nicotine cessation program can produce up to 50 percent higher rate in 1 year.