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More tools to help you in your Commit to Quit So, you have decided to quit, but going Cold Turkey doesn’t sound feasible to you. Maybe you have already been gradually reducing the number of cigarettes you smoke, but seemed to have met a stalemate and your on-line tools aren’t getting you past the point. You may want to consider nicotine replacement therapy, other prescription therapies, or some alternative therapies. Nicotine Replacement Therapies (NRTs) wean you off the high doses of smoking by the nicotine without the tar, gases and other harmful elements of smoking. This helps you by allowing you concentrate on breaking the habit of smoking, while reducing withdrawal symptoms. NRTs are supposed to be especially helpful to those who smoke their first cigarette within 30 minutes of waking. Some NRTs are available by prescription. Others can be purchased over the counter at pharmacies and other retail outlets. The patch gives you a continual supply of nicotine at a low dose while you are wearing it - so you
can't respond quickly to a craving or a stressful moment. The gum and the spray deliver a higher
dose quickly so you can respond to a craving with a "quick fix", as with cigarettes. If you smoke
steadily through the day, the patch may suit you better. If you smoke mainly in response to cravings
or stress, the gum or spray might be more flexible for you. They are all similarly effective.
Other prescription therapies include Chantix and Zyban or Wellbutrin. Zyban, first prescribed as the
anti-depressant Wellbutrin, contains no nicotine. Wellbutrin is a norepinephrine and dopamine
reuptake inhibitor. Norepinephrine and dopamine are chemicals produced by your brain that help you
“feel good”. Inhibitors stop your body from removing them from you system as quickly as it otherwise
would. Using Zyban seems to reduce the urge to smoke and nicotine withdrawal symptoms:
irritability, frustration, or anger; anxiety; difficulty concentrating; restlessness; and depressed mood or
negative affect.
Chantix binds to the nicotine receptors in your brain and blocks them so that nicotine can no longer
activate those “feels good” receptors. This means that when someone is trying to quit and they lapse
and smoke a cigarette, they probably won’t get much satisfaction from smoking it, and will be less
likely to smoke another. When Chantix binds to nicotine receptors, it also triggers some of the same
effects that nicotine has. This includes a small release of dopamine, another “feel good” chemical in
the brain. In this way Chantix dampens down nicotine withdrawal symptoms and cravings.
There are many alternative therapies that can be used to assist in tobacco cessation. The two most common are hypnosis and acupuncture. Hypnosis can be highly effective for smoking cessation. Hypnosis is a naturally occurring state of
our mind that happens thousands of times to each of us daily. Hypnosis, the hyper-ability of Focused
Attention, works best for those who truly want to quit. Agreed suggestions are placed into your
subconscious mind: for example, that you have no cravings for tobacco, no desire to eat more, no
bad temper or irritability and no concern that you are missing out on anything, so will not feel deprived
or in need of a substitute.
Acupuncture is a healing technique derived from ancient Chinese medicine. In simple words,
acupuncture is a technique used to deal with certain health issues by gently stimulating hair-thin
needles into specific points of the body to trigger a natural healing response. Acupuncture techniques
are used to deal with nicotine withdrawal symptoms. As with hypnosis, acupuncture works best for those with a strong desire to quit. Low-Level Laser Therapy principles are similar to the ancient healing art of acupuncture. Low-level
lasers simulate a very similar response by emitting a fine-point "cold laser" into your skin which
stimulates your body's endorphin production system. Endorphins are natural chemicals in your body
that signal your internal system to decrease stress and increase energy. Consistent absorption of
nicotine into your body through cigarette smoking soon allows nicotine to take over and control your
body's endorphin reproduction system. By naturally restoring your body's endorphin levels through
low-level laser therapy, laser intervention can then remove the hold that nicotine has on your system.
Talk to your regular health care provider about which method might best assist you. And good luck on your commit to quit!

Source: http://www.co.aitkin.mn.us/Departments/Human-Svcs/Public-Health/Smokeout/EnhancedQuitMethods.pdf