Let's review some most popular methods to stop smoking which many smokers have tried possibly even several times.
1.
Nicotine replacement therapy - This method is based on assumption that
main addiction reason is one of tobacco ingredients nicotine because of
which human body is in need for more. Most common replacement ways are
nicotine patch that delivers it through the skin, nasal spray or
chewing gum. Main advantage of this method is that it reduces painful
cravings and withdrawal symptoms but it is quite risky if overdosed or
used while smoking which can cause bigger health problems than smoking
alone. This method rarely works as long term solution if used without
other ways that help getting rid of addiction.
2. Acupuncture -
This method is quite effective if used together with awareness
counseling as it can bring up to 40% success rate for even heavy
smokers while if used alone barely 20% rate was achieved. Acupuncture
uses small needles of different lengths and sizes to stimulate the skin
in a particular area of the human body. It increases your body's
production of mood-enhancing endorphins which alleviate withdrawal
symptoms.
3. Hypnosis - Possibly one of best methods to stop
smoking amongst all popular ones with success rate going up to 60% but
requires very good specialist with proper experience in this which
might not be is easy to find. Usually involves changing awareness of
addictiveness in subconscious level of human brain where therapist
finds reasons why patient wants to smoke and if properly done can have
long term effects. In some cases might require replacement course to
reduce withdrawal symptoms.
4. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy -
This method involves changing awareness of smoking benefits and
lifestyle. Most common approach is to replace any situation triggers
and occasions which involve smoking with different action like drinking
water or chewing gum. Also can be used with fading technique that
requires counting amount of cigarettes smoked daily and reducing it
gradually. Changing brands to lower quality or doing excessive chain
smoking to increase disgust feeling from this process. Usually used
quite chaotically without any proper plan of action which results in
quite high fail rate.
5. Cold turkey method - This is used by
those smokers who believe that they can quit smoking on their own
without help of any medicaments or therapy. It requires very strong
will and commitment to stop smoking. Success of this method depends
greatly on individual character and rarely has long term success as it
doesn't involve any quick changes in awareness. For those who smoke a
lot daily this method can cause quite painful side effects after sudden
loss of nicotine and other tobacco ingredients.
All of these
methods are quite popular ways to stop smoking but most of them have
quite low success rate and as researched only one third of attempts on
average are successful but if we remember that not all of them have
long term effectiveness then actual numbers taking in account longer
period of time is even lower. Thing is that each of them are more
effective for particular individual cases but others are useless for
same people so choosing the right one might ensure better results.
Fortunately
there are quite high success rate methods which involve combination of
these popular ways and can cause up to 90% of successful results with
long term affects. Usually these are custom programs developed by
clinics who specialize in curing addictions.
