NICOTINE REPLACEMENT THERAPY TO CONQUER NICOTINE ADDICTION AND QUIT SMOKING
Nicotine Replacement Therapy To Overcome Nicotine Addiction And Give Up Smoking For Good
Give Up Smoking - Conquer Nicotine Addiction - Relieve Tobacco Withdrawal Symptoms
Nicotine Replacement Therapy To Overcome Nicotine Addiction And Give Up Smoking For Good
Give Up Smoking -
Nicotine Replacement Therapy For Nicotine Addiction
Nicotine Replacement Therapy
The nicotine in cigarettes leads to actual physical dependence and nicotine addiction, which can cause unpleasant symptoms when a person tries to quit. Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) provides nicotine – in the form of gums, patches, sprays, inhalers or lozenges – without the other harmful components of tobacco. It can help relieve some of these symptoms so that a person can concentrate more on the psychological aspects of quitting.
How Nicotine Replacement Therapy Works
Nicotine substitutes treat the very difficult withdrawal symptoms and cravings that 70% to 90% of smokers say is their only reason for not giving up cigarettes. By using a nicotine substitute, a smoker's withdrawal symptoms are reduced.
While a large number of smokers are able to quit smoking without nicotine replacement, most of those who attempt quitting are not successful on the first try. In fact, smokers usually need several attempts – sometimes as many as 8 to 10 – before they are able to quit for good.
Lack of success is often related to the onset of withdrawal symptoms. By reducing these symptoms with the use of nicotine replacement therapy, smokers who want to quit have a better chance of being successful.
Getting the Most From Nicotine Replacement Therapy
Nicotine replacement therapy only deals with the physical aspects of addiction. It is not intended to be the only method used to help you quit smoking. It should be combined with other smoking cessation methods that address the psychological component of smoking, such as a stop smoking program. Studies have shown that approach - pairing Nicotine Replacement Therapy with a program that helps to change behavior – can double your chances of successfully quitting.
The US Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) Clinical Practice Guideline on Smoking Cessation recommends Nicotine Replacement Therapy for all smokers except pregnant women and people with heart or circulatory diseases. If a health care provider suggests nicotine replacement for people in these groups, the benefits of smoking cessation must outweigh the potential health risk. Smokers who are pregnant or have heart disease should consult with their doctor before using over-the-counter nicotine replacement.
The most effective time to start Nicotine Replacement Therapy is at the beginning of an attempt to quit. But often smokers first try to quit on their own, then decide to try NRT.
Nicotine Replacement Therapy should not be used if you plan to continue to smoke or use another tobacco product. The combined dose of nicotine could be dangerous to your health.
Nicotine patches (transdermal nicotine systems):
Nicotine Patches provide a measured dose of nicotine through the skin. As the nicotine doses are lowered by switching patches over a course of weeks, the tobacco user is weaned off nicotine. Nicotine Patches can be purchased without a prescription. Several types and different strengths are available. Package inserts describe how to use the product as well as special considerations and possible side effects.
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The 16-
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The 24-
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Depending on body size, most tobacco users should start using a full-strength Nicotine Patch (15-22 mg of nicotine) daily for 4 weeks, and then use a weaker Nicotine Patch (5-14 mg of nicotine) for another 4 weeks. The Nicotine Patches should be applied in the morning to a clean, dry area of the skin without much hair. It should be placed below the neck and above the waist - for example, on the arm. The FDA recommends using Nicotine Patches for a total of 3 to 5 months. However, some studies have shown that using Nicotine Patches for 8 weeks or less is just as effective as using it for longer.
Nicotine gum (nicotine polacrilex):
Nicotine gum is a fast-acting form of replacement that acts through the mucous membrane of the mouth. It can be bought over-the-counter without a prescription. It comes in 2 mg and 4 mg strengths.
For best results, follow the instructions of the package insert. Chew the gum slowly until you note a peppery taste. Then, "park" it against the cheek, chewing it and parking it off and on for about 20 to 30 minutes. Food and drink can affect how well the nicotine is absorbed. You should avoid acidic foods and drinks such as coffee, juices, and soft drinks for at least 15 minutes before and during gum use.
If you smoke a pack or more per day, smoke within 30 minutes of rising, or have trouble not smoking in restricted areas, you may need to start with the higher dose (4 mg). No more than 20 pieces should be used in one day. Nicotine gum is usually recommended for 1 to 3 months, with the maximum being 6 months. Tapering the amount of gum chewed may help you stop using it.
If you have sensitive skin, you may prefer the gum to the patch. Another advantage of nicotine gum is that it allows you to control the nicotine doses. The gum can be chewed as needed or on a fixed schedule during the day. The most recent data have shown that scheduled dosing is more effective. A schedule of 1 to 2 pieces per hour is common. On the other hand, with an as-needed schedule, you can chew more gum during a craving.
Some possible side effects of the gum:
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bad taste
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throat irritation
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mouth sores
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hiccups
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nausea
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jaw discomfort
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racing heartbeat
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Symptoms related to the stomach and jaw are usually caused by improper use of the gum, such as swallowing nicotine or chewing too rapidly. The gum can also cause damage to dentures and dental prostheses.
Long-term dependence is one possible disadvantage of nicotine gum. In fact, research has shown that 15% to 20% of gum users who successfully quit smoking continue using the gum for a year or longer. Although the maximum recommended length of use is 6 months, continuing to use the gum is likely to be safer than going back to smoking. But since there is little research on the health effects of long-term nicotine gum use, most health care providers still recommend limiting its use to 6 months.
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