Smoking Cessation Aids

Cold Turkey

Cold turkey is the term used to describe quitting smoking with no help from quit aids of any kind. The advantage of this method is that the nicotine is out of the blood stream within a week. The discomforts of quitting smoking can be intense, but physical withdrawal is short.

A lot of people quit smoking successfully by going cold turkey. If this sounds too extreme for your liking, plenty of other options and smoking cessation aids are available to help you withdraw from nicotine more comfortably.

Nicotine Replacement Therapies (NRT’s)

Nicotine Patch

The patch is one of the most common smoking cessation aids and has been very effective in helping to quit smoking.

Nicotine Inhaler Facts

The inhaler is a nicotine replacement therapy and smoking cessation aid that consists of a plastic cigarette-like tube that houses a replaceable nicotine cartridge and a mouthpiece. The cartridge contains nicotine which is released into the user's mouth and throat when inhaled.

Nicotine Nasal Spray

Nicotine nasal spray is a prescription medicine that reduces cravings to smoke when a nicotine solution is sprayed into the nose. The solution is absorbed into the bloodstream through the nasal mucosa. Nicotine nasal spray has acted as an effect aid to quit smoking.

Non Nicotine Replacement Therapies

Several quit smoking aids are available now that do not use nicotine as the active ingredient. The following smoking cessation therapies are given under a doctor's care only

Bupropion

Bupropion hydrochloride, marketed under the names Zyban, Wellbutrin SR, and Wellbutrin XL by GlaxoSmithKline, is an anti-depressant drug that also works well as a smoking cessation aid. It has been shown to dramatically reduce physical withdrawal symptoms associated with nicotine and has acted effectively in helping the process of quitting smoking.

Varenicline Tartrate
Discovered and developed by Pfizer, Inc, varenicline tartrate is marketed under the trademark of Chantix. Approved by the FDA in May 2006, Chantix has the unique ability to partially activate nicotinic receptors in the brain, reducing a person's craving for nicotine when he quits smoking. Additionally, if a person smokes during the course of varenicline treatment, the drug impedes smoking satisfaction by blocking nicotine from binding with these same receptors.

Other Quit Smoking Methods and Remedies:

Hypnosis
Hypnosis puts people into an altered state of mind where they become more susceptible to suggestion. It can be used to quit smoking, and while it seems to work well for some, it isn't for everyone. Learn what you need to know about hypnosis as a smoking cessation aid.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese medical practice which uses needles placed at specific spots in the skin to treat pain or disease. It can be used to treat addiction to nicotine and has been used successfully in helping people quit smoking.