Emphysema Emphysema Basics

Kicking Butts: Different Approaches to Stop Smoking

Nicotine patch—A discreet patch is placed on the skin and delivers a continuous flow of nicotine into your body. These patches come in two forms 16-hour and 24-hour. The 16-hour patch is removed while sleeping, while the 24-hour patch remains on all day to control cravings for those who smoked upon waking. However, the overnight nicotine delivery has been shown to disrupt sleep. Each type of patch is available in several strengths to allow one to gradually step down the amount of nicotine.

Occasionally, skin irritation may occur, and the patch is less effective for those who have a social or behavioral dependence on cigarettes.

Studies suggest that the nicotine patch, gum and other available forms of nicotine-replacement therapy, like the less often used inhalers and lozenges, almost double the odds of quitting.

Buproprion—Marketed under the name Zyban, buproprion is a non-nicotine medication that has been shown to improve the success rates of those trying to quit smoking. Also used as an anti-depressant, the drug works to help maintain normal levels of dopamine in the brain. This prevents some of the side-effects of nicotine withdrawal, like depression, irritability and the inability to focus, while subduing the feeling of "need" for cigarettes.

There is a risk of seizures when using buproprion, and you will need a doctor's prescription for the drug, which is normally used over a period of 8 to 12 weeks. Over the course of 12 months, according to one study, 20 percent of those on the drug quit.

Support Groups—Over the past several years, the U.S. government has invested in smoking-cessation programs all over the country. Most offer support groups, free advice or phone buddies to help you when you are having a hard time quitting.

During one year of these programs, more than 350,000 people set a "quit date." One month later, a survey showed that half of them were still cigarette-free.

Behavioral Therapy—While behavioral therapy cannot cut the physical craving for cigarettes, it can help one to change their environment in a way that will prevent relapses. A therapist will probably suggest removing visual reminders of cigarettes, like ashtrays and lighters and will offer strategies to get your mind off smoking.

It is not clear how effective behavioral therapy is in helping one stop smoking, but it certainly can be combined with any of the other options to help maximize your chances of quitting for good.

Whatever method you choose, experts suggest setting a date to stop smoking, throwing out all cigarettes that you may have in your house and talking to your family about your desire to quit. Keep your motivations for stopping in mind and, hopefully, you'll be successful in kicking the habit.

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