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 I've
tried quitting before, but have always failed. How can I stop smoking
once and for all?
 The
success rate for people who try to quit cold turkey without any help
is 5 percent. However, we now have a variety of cessation therapies
that can increase your chances of success by lessening withdrawal
symptoms such as irritability, lethargy, trouble concentrating and
hunger. Here is what's available: Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT)
comes in different forms. The gum (such as Nicorette® 2mg Gum, 4
mg Gum – also available in Mint) delivers a dose of nicotine when
you want it and gives you oral satisfaction. The patch (5mg, 10 mg & 15
mg Nicorette® Patch) delivers small doses of nicotine continuously
for hours, and is a good choice if you want a steady level of medicine
or don't like the gum.
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Are
nicotine replacement products safe? Aren't they just as addictive
as cigarettes?
A
large
literature and many studies show the safety of NRT. Nicotine, when
used in such products as the patch or the gum, has not been shown
to cause cancer. Cigarette smoke, however, is composed of over
4,000 chemicals, including cyanide, formaldehyde, carbon monoxide,
radioactive substances and carcinogens. The nicotine in cigarettes
is dangerous because its rapid delivery to the brain makes you
want to keep smoking. But while a cigarette gives you a huge hit
of nicotine within 10 seconds of inhaling, the doses from NRT are
smaller and delivered gradually, making it much less addictive
and easier for you to eliminate your nicotine habit altogether.
Do
I have to see my doctor to get a prescription?
All Nicorette
products are available at your pharmacy.
Will
nicotine replacement therapy take care of my cravings for cigarettes?
No. NRT
is not a magic bullet. It will help relieve your physical discomfort, but you'll
still need to deal with the psychosocial aspects of your habit. You may associate
smoking with socialising, working and stress reduction. To quit, you'll need
to change these ingrained behaviours as well.
Are
there any support programs that I can join?
To help
you, Nicorette has a support programme, Kick Butt, that can be personalised to
meet your needs. This programme is great because you'll learn tips from those who
have been there. |
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