Giving up smoking is notoriously difficult to do, so many people use stop smoking aids to try to make it a little bit easier. Many of these aids are available, including nicotine patches, nicotine gum, nicotine inhalers, pills, and homeopathic remedies.

When most people think about stop smoking aids, they think about the patch. The nicotine patch is a popular and well known stop smoking aid. It is available in most drugstores and was made with the intention of helping smokers quit smoking by lessening the discomfort they experience from withdrawal symptoms.

Many smokers suffer from withdrawal symptoms when they are quitting smoking. These symptoms may include things like headaches, cravings, tiredness, short tempers, and increased anxiety. Using a patch can help alleviate these symptoms, especially in controlling cravings. Nicotine patches can be used to deliver nicotine doses to those trying to stop smoking. To be effective, they must be used every day for about ninety days. Approximately twenty percent of dedicated quitters can stop smoking with the aid of a nicotine patch. Nicotine patches can cause skin irritation and difficulty sleeping. It is recommended that those trying to stop smoking also start therapy along with a nicotine patch to improve their odds of success.

Buproprion, or Zyban, is one drug many people use to help them quit smoking. This pill is an antidepressant and is actually used for people who are clinically depressed. It has been proven, however, that this pill will help people trying to quit smoking, because it helps to suppress withdrawal symptoms from nicotine. In some clinical studies, Zyban was twice as effective at helping stop smoking as the nicotine patch. In addition, you cannot become addicted to it, and it is easy to use. Although side effects may include insomnia and dry mouth, Zyban is worth trying.

Stop smoking aids include nicotine gum and nicotine inhalers. Nicotine gum helps smokers quit smoking by giving their mouths something to do. Many smokers who quit smoking end up gaining weight because they tend to eat more food or snacks in order to compensate for the lack of a cigarette. Nicotine gum, in this case, is most useful for those individuals who are scared to quit because they fear gaining weight. Nicotine gum also helps people get over their cravings during their withdrawal period, as smokers chew nicotine gum instead of smoking. Nicotine gum is best used for three months.

Nicotine inhalers are stop smoking aids that allow smokers to take a nicotine dose whenever they feel it’s necessary. The inhaler imitates the nicotine effects of smoking, and helps make quitting smoking easier for those trying to stop smoking. Throat and mouth irritation are some of the side effects.

It is important to remember, however, that stop smoking aids can only work when individuals want them to work. That is, individuals must be fully dedicated to quitting smoking. This inner drive and motivation is the only way smokers will be able to quit smoking. Though stop smoking aids such as nicotine patches, nicotine pills, nicotine gum, and nicotine inhalers can help smokers quit, nothing can help them quit permanently except willpower.

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Before quitting smoking and deciding between stop smoking programs, quitters should first identify why they want to stop smoking. This helps them keep their goals in mind. Then, they should set a date at which they want to quit smoking. For example, smokers can stop smoking on the weekend if they are used to smoking during the week, or on a weekday if they are used to smoking during the weekend on their time off.

If you are trying to stop smoking, a crucial step should be to identify any stumbling blocks to achieving your goal. For example, if you are living with someone who smokes, it may be harder for you to stop. Another way to ensure success is to identify what things make you want to smoke. This way you are prepared to overcome the desire to smoke. Finally, enlist the aid of those around you. They can help you avoid temptation.

When someone makes the decision to quit smoking it would be beneficial for them to check out nicotine medication. Such medication gives smokers a way to gradually ease off nicotine that is much less concentrated than that found in cigarettes. Smoking cessation aids can be quite effective. In fact, nicotine medication is recommended by the American Lung Association as a treatment for kicking the habit. Usually, these types of medication require a prescription by a doctor. But people who want to quit smoking should consider all their options and do their research about nicotine gums and patches.

Most people will experience nicotine withdrawal symptoms once they are on stop smoking programs. With these withdrawals, they may experience problems such as headaches, nicotine cravings, anxiety, and jitteriness. These experiences are normal and most stop smoking programs take this into account.

Nicotine medication such as nicotine gum or nicotine patches should help with these problems. However, under no circumstances should a smoker attempting to quit smoking have even just one more cigarette. They should stay away from cigarettes, using their friends and family as moral support.

Many people who try to quit smoking make two or three attempts and if they are not successful tend to get discouraged. Though quitting smoking is not easy and may require more effort on your part, it doesn’t necessarily mean that if you can’t quit initially you can’t quit at all. One needs to be dedicated and focused towards quitting smoking. Trying different stop smoking programs each time is a good idea. For example, if you tried quitting the first time using nicotine gum, then the second time you should try the patch. Being dedicated to quitting and having a real desire to quit is the most important factor, though.

There are many stop smoking programs that can make it easier for you to quit smoking. The best programs are usually the ones involving nicotine gum, patches, or medication. But of course the most important thing to remember when trying to quit smoking is that you need to be dedicated toward your ultimate goal.

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It’s the first three days that people find the most difficult regardless of the smoking cessation method they’ve chosen. This is due to the fact that it is in those 72 hours when the nicotine leaving your body is felt the greatest. This can lead to feelings of irritabililty, fatigue, and a persistent headache - all perfectly normal symptoms of withdrawal.

The good news is that if you prepare mentally for your quit day, many of the symptoms will not make you feel like you have to lock yourself in a closet. Letting friends and family members know that today is your quit day (if you feel they would be a help and not a hindrance) would be a good idea and since it’s common knowledge about how people act when they stop smoking, you may just get the to house to yourself for the day.

What are the symptoms of withdrawal? What are you going to feel? By planning beforehand, you can alleviate a lot of these problems before they arise. Here are a few things you may want to include on your list:

Angry or agitated: I will find a task to take my mind off the fact that I can’t smoke.

Feeling overly emotional or sensitive: Find yourself some solitude and let the feelings out.

Feeling tired: I will allow myself to be able to rest and heal from my addiction.

Feeling nauseated: I will go outside and get some fresh air.

After a meal I will: get out and take a walk, or clear the table.

By drinking lots of fluids, and most especially water, your body’s stores of nicotine will be rapidly metabolized and flushed from your system. The downside is that you will have to go to the bathroom more often, but the upside is that the nicotine will clear itself from your system that much quicker and alleviate the physical withdrawal symptoms.

There are a lot of theories as to what makes withdrawal symptoms worse or better. Some say that you should also give up caffeine when you stop smoking and there are others who found that it makes no difference in their case. If drinking beverages with caffeine in them makes you suddenly crave a cigarette, it is probably better to not to have any, or at the very least cut back.

Sometimes giving up too many things at once can also open up another can of worms, so maybe just try cutting back on the caffeine. Water, fruit juices, and even ice cream shakes, can help clear out your system and get those withdrawal symptoms done with faster.

A very common side effect during the first few nights is finding it difficult to fall asleep and then to sleep soundly. Even though you might’ve been exhausted throughout the day, when it’s time for bed it seems like everything is racing through your mind and you can’t get comfortable.

To help alleviate this, I recommend a hot shower before heading off to bed to help you relax. Usually the sleep deprivation only lasts for a night or two. However if it persists, I would suggest a visit to the pharmacy to pick up a sleeping aid until the restlessness passes. It won’t last forever.

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Feelings of fatigue, irritibility and an extremely persistent headache are all side effects of nicotine withdrawal and are all perfectly normal. Why? Simply because it is in the first 72 hours which nicotine purges itself from your system - regardless of the smoking cessation method you have chosen to use.

Preparation is the key. By knowing what you are in for, you can make plans to deal with the feelings and symptoms and not have to hide away where you won’t bother anyone. However it is also a good idea to inform your family and friends (but only if they are supportive) of your goals. This also gives them the opportunity to stay clear if they think you might be a little bit cranky!

Also keep in mind that you will be going through these trying times and have plans to work through them, should they arise. It can really nip withdrawal symptoms in the bud. It is helpful to have made a list of what you feel you may experience for symptoms of withdrawal. Some of the things that you may want to include on your list are:

Feeling angry or agitated: I will take deep breaths and take a walk outside. I will leave the room or go take a shower.

Feeling overly emotional or sensitive: Find yourself some solitude and let the feelings out.

Feeling tired: Rest and healing are needed to allow myself to heal from my addiction.

Feeling nauseated: I will go outside and get some fresh air.

After I eat I will: Find something to do so I don’t crave the ‘after-dinner’ cigarette.

A really good way to help your body get rid of the nicotine within it is to drink lots of liquids. The more you drink, the faster your body will metabolize the stored nicotine within your system and the only side effect of this is a slouchy stomach and maybe a few more trips to the bathroom. The faster you can get the nicotine flushed out of your system, the sooner the withdrawal symptoms will be over, at least the physical ones.

Some theorize that drinking beverages with caffeine in them can cause your withdrawal symptoms to worsen. Others find that it makes absolutely no difference whatsoever. Each individual’s situation is unique. If you find that caffeinated drinks are causing you to crave cigarettes, then it would be best to cut back or stop completely.

Sometimes giving up too many things at once can also open up another can of worms, so maybe just try cutting back on the caffeine. Water, fruit juices, and even ice cream shakes, can help clear out your system and get those withdrawal symptoms done with faster.

A very common side effect during the first few nights is finding it difficult to fall asleep and then to sleep soundly. Even though you might’ve been exhausted throughout the day, when it’s time for bed it seems like everything is racing through your mind and you can’t get comfortable.

A couple of tricks can help with your restlessness. The first is to take a hot bath or shower before heading off to bed and the second is to use an over-the-counter sleep aid until the symptoms pass. Keep in mind that your sleeplessness won’t last forever. Probably only a few days at most.

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When all other devices have failed, it has been found by some people that Chantix is the one that finally did help them to quit. Chantix is different than most stop smoking aids. It works as a nicotine blocker, which in turn blocks the absorption of nicotine to the receptors in the brain. This, over time, lessens the desire to smoke as there is less receptors available for the nicotine to attach itself to. Which, of course, makes you want that cigarette less and less.

A lot of folks have quit relatively easy using this method. And on top of that, there has been amazingly few withdrawal symptoms. Surprisingly, even two pack a day smokers are at times successful. But the first thing is to check and see whether your insurance company will cover it as Chantix is only available by prescription and many companies are reluctant to cover stop smoking products in general. If it is indeed covered, expect at least some level of pharmacy co-pay.

Since Chantix contains no nicotine, it is not necessary to quit smoking when you begin the medication. You will receive a starter pack that gradually builds up the medication in your system over the next two weeks.

Is recommend that you have a quit day toward the end of the two weeks, although there are people that have extended it up to three weeks, allowing the medication to build up further in their system.

There are several side effects that have been experienced, but this can vary greatly from person to person, and are normally temporary. Extremely vivid dreams are most notable especially during the first few weeks of using the medication, as well as excessive gas, nausea and in some cases headaches.

The support with Chantix is also quite good with a free online system that begins even before you start to take your medication. This includes daily e-mails updates and stop smoking projects designed to help keep your efforts going in the right direction.

Chantix in itself works very well, however it may be more effective on smokers who are physically addicted to nicotine as opposed to those psychologically addicted as it seems to work much better on the former. Talk to your doctor and see. If you are more psychologically addicted, they may have a different medication which they would recommend for your situation.

Whatever you do, do not think that Chantix, or any other stop smoking aid for that matter, is the magic pill that is going to make you quit. Only medications used with a strond desire to quit have a chance of being successful. The medications, Chantix included, are only there to give us an edge in quitting, not do it for us.

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If your roof needs repair, you gather all of the tools you need before you climb up the ladder. Why would you want to end up on your roof, ready to get started, and find that you did not bring all of the necessary tools along, and would have to start from the beginning again.

What does this have to do with stop smoking? Well the answer is very simple- tools. You want to improve you quality of life, get rid of that bad breath and improve your appearance. You want to feel confident when you speak to people. But most of all you want to improve your health. You need the proper tools to repair yourself the same as you do to repair your automobile.

Where do I start? The common approach for most people is the patch, while others favor herbal products. Some experts believe a combination of more than one tool will increase a person’s odds of quitting. Along with medicines are services available to assist with the smoking cessation process. You’ll want to put as many tools in your toolbox that you can.

You should now consider adding a journal to your toolbox. Stop smoking programs benefit from journalizing. A journal will complete your toolbox and no toolbox should be without one. You will realize the benefits once you have put your journal to use.

1. When you start the process to stop smoking, a lot of different emotions will be part of the experience. You may get anxious and frustrated, possibility angry at times. Journaling can be relief from the wide range of emotions you will experience when going through the process of quitting smoking.

Second, journaling alone can be used as a healthy alternative to the act of smoking. When you would normally be smoking a cigarette, you can instead take a few minutes to write some thoughts or ideas into your journal.

Third, Journaling will help you track your progress and monitor your stop smoking efforts. For example, the journaling process will help you identify weak moments throughout the day. You can focus on staying away from cigarettes at these times of the day.

When you are done, there are so many other valuable and important benefits that coincide with keeping a journal. Chances are great that you will be very happy that you chose journaling as one of your tools when you committed to the smoking cessation process.

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Finding a support system that works for you is crucial in becoming a non-smoker. It needn’t be a lonely, isolated journey which you take by yourself. Whether it be via an online forum, local church group, or through family and friends (excercise caution here), the key is to find people to help you in times of strife.

There’s several free online message boards on the Internet that those with limited time may find to be a valuable option. It will help you connect with other people who are trying to stop smoking as well; it’ll give you a place to talk about your withdrawal symptoms or other challenges that you are facing with your new lifestyle.

Many of the message boards have different sections pertaining to the process of beginning to quit. Look for sections that pertain to what your going through, oftentimes they will have sections on the board that will coincide with what you are going through on any particular day. It is very comforting to see that others are going through the very same thing you are, and often the advice the other nonsmokers have posted is very helpful when you’re facing the same thing.

Family and friends, on the other hand, can be a blessing or a curse. They may feel that they are being ‘extra’ supportive by inquiring repeatedly on how you are doing, but this can become downright irritating and in worst cases, actually cause you to relapse.

Many family members and friends mean well and think they’re being encouraging by doing this, when you’re going through withdrawal symptoms and are naturally more agitated, this can be detrimental to your success. Sometimes just discussing this with them, before your quit day, can help nip it in the bud and make it a smoother transition.

One other option is a local smoking cessation meeting that is usually held at a community church, health care center, or sometime even a school. Most of these groups meetings are held either at no cost or very low cost, so everyone can attend.

Usually lasting about an hour or so, local support groups will give you the opportunity (as with online forums) to speak with others in the same situation as you. One of the huge benefits of course it the personal contacts you will make which could develop into quitting buddies. Having a buddy to assist you can be a great ally in remaining a non-smoker.

Although some methods of support are better than others, the important thing is that you have some to begin with - before you quit smoking. For without the support, quitting smoking is going to be one of the hardest tasks you are ever going to do. No sense doing it alone.

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First of all, just talking about relapses can be dangerous because once the thought of slips enters the mind it is difficult to get rid of it, and you unconsciously will it to happen. Have you heard the story of a boy trying to learn cycling? He was so scared of hitting against the stone on the road that on a wide road he saw only the stone and banged right into it.

The moral of the story is that if you think of handling ’slips’, ‘just ones’ or any ‘accidents’ for that matter, you are going to have them. So, don’t plan for slips; you probably won’t allow them. The thought itself is a great morale booster. So, think positive, and cross the bridge when you come to it. On the contrary, planning for moments of weakness demoralizes you quite a bit.

Having said that, it does happen, so here is what I recommend you do. Chastise yourself until you feel completely guilty. Realistically I don’t have to tell you this part because you will automatically do it to yourself anyway. Then once you have raked yourself over the coals, contact your support group (you do have a support group, don’t you?) and let them know what has happened. Use their strength to rebuild your resolve.

One or two slips can be overlooked; indeed they should be overlooked as aberrations. But, if by chance the slips are occurring too often, it is time to be honest with yourself and admit your failure. Honesty gives you immense strength; delusion makes you weak. Acknowledge the fact that you have failed and start again.

But, change your strategy this time around. First prepare yourself with as much information as possible. Make a note of your strengths and weaknesses. Use your strengths to your advantage and learn to handle your weaknesses. You will find ample information on the net. Study it with a view to tackling your specific problems. If you go about it the right way, you will not only succeed in achieving your goal of quitting smoking, but you will do it in record time.

If continual slips are occurring, you are better off to realize what is happening and admit to yourself that you have failed this time. And that’s okay, because it is better that you admit it, write this attempt off, and go back to finding the information and incentives you need to quit successfully than to relapse slowly back into oblivion. Better to realize that you have missed your target this time around and get back on a new and better course than to continue on smoking for the next twenty years.

Have the mental strength to be successful.

Darren Warmuth

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A former 20 year, 2 pack/day smoker tells of how he quit the cigarette smoking habit with Master Hypnotist, Marc Carlin’s unique hypnosis program

Duration : 0:3:27

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You would think the answer to that would be fairly obvious - you just quit! But I am afraid that would be the answer you’ve already heard from countless others who have either never smoked in the first place or have never successfully quit themselves.

Here is some advice from a smoker of twenty years and a non-smoker of ten.

It doesn’t matter if you want to quit because you have smoker’s cough; a serious health scare; desire a better environment for your children; or just want to quit for yourself because you know it is the right thing to do - the absolute first thing you must realize is that the desire to quit alone is not strong enough for most people - 97% in fact. I know you are desperate. I know you want to quit right now and at this moment, and I feel your pain. But I beg of you, don’t do it!

If you belong to the majority, you need to think, plan and use a strategy to get rid of an old habit.

You may want to quit because you have smoker’s cough; a serious health scare; desire a better environment for your children; or just want to quit for yourself because you know it is the right thing to do. Look at your reasons and write down all the emotions and reasons you want to quit. These reasons will help you on your journey to becoming a non-smoker.

Use your reasons instead to help you on your journey to becoming a non-smoker; your emotions will only keep you wound up.

Note your reasons for quitting and then strengthen them with information. Search the internet for as much useful information as you can find. The more you know about the task at hand, the less hold the nicotine monster will have over you. Information will prepare you for all the hurdles on the way so that you are strong enough to face them and overcome them.

And, for heaven’s sake, don’t stop here. Once you have got the program, please use it!

Most importantly, use the program. Start today because the sooner you start the quicker you will be free of your smoking habit. Beware of procrastination. Don’t put off till tomorrow what you can do today!

You’ll be glad you did because it is the first step that is the most difficult. Once, you have taken the first step you will sail through the rest of the process.

Best of luck,

Darren Warmuth

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