While there isn’t a wrong way to quit, there are things you can do to improve your odds of quitting for good.
In fact, using medications to stop smoking can double your odds of quitting and staying quit.
Several types of medicines can help you to quit:
- Nicotine replacement therapies (NRTs) include patches, gum, lozenges, inhaler, and nasal spray. They work by replacing nicotine to help you avoid the physical symptoms of going without nicotine. You can taper off the nicotine with NRTs (without the thousands of other harmful chemicals in cigarettes) until your body gets used to being without it.
- Bupropion interacts with your brain to decrease cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
- Varenicline (Chantix) interacts with your brain to decrease cravings and withdrawal symptoms. It also reduces the amount of enjoyment people experience when smoking.
Talk to your doctor to see what quit-smoking medication is right for you.
Using both counseling or a quit-smoking program and medication can increase your odds even more.1 Quitting is about more than just physical symptoms.
Smoking can be integrated into your life in many ways. It may be a part of your routine, a go-to coping method, or a social bridge. Counseling or a quit-smoking program can help you to untangle the role of smoking in your life. Participating in these things can also help you break down unhelpful thought patterns that may get in the way of quitting successfully.
For more information on quitting tobacco, email contactknovasolutions@workpartners.com or call 1-800-355-0885. We are available Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sources:
- How Quit Smoking Medicines Work. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Reviewed November 2022. Accessed April 2023. cdc. gov/tobacco/campaign/tips/quit-smoking/ quit-smoking-medications/how-quit-smokingmedicines-work
- Fact or Fiction: What to Know About Smoking Cessation and Medications. U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Reviewed March 2019. Accessed April 2023. fda.gov/consumers/consumerupdates/fact-or-fiction-what-know-about-smokingcessation-and-medications