Resources to Help Quit Smoking
AUTHOR: Jenny Crompton
If you’ve recently made the decision to quit smoking, you most likely could benefit from a little help. Unless you have a mild smoking habit, it’s usually very difficult to quit smoking without help. Your addiction to nicotine developed over many years most likely, and the addiction doesn’t go away overnight. And while your will power and commitment play the largest part in whether you’ll be successful or not, it’s good to get some help in your quest to quit smoking.
Counselling Help to Quit Smoking
There are lots of social services and private clinics that offer counselling to help you quit smoking. You can usually find quite an array in your local community to take advantage of. Because tobacco is not only physically addicting, but also quite psychologically addicting too, you need to look for help in overcoming more than just the physical side of things. And this is where counseling can be very helpful.
Individual counseling sessions will cost a bit more, perhaps, but you will to get personalized attention and this may be very helpful when you are just beginning to quit smoking. Telephone counseling is also available in some areas, and this would be a good choice if you are looking for a convenient method that can fit with your unique schedule. People who take advantage of telephone counseling to help quit smoking are twice as successful as those who don’t get this type of help.
Your family can provide a network of support to you as well. While family and friends are not trained counselors, they can be there on a daily basis to offer encouragement and plan alternative activities that don’t involve smoking. Don’t be afraid to enlist their help to quit smoking – they love you and want the best for you.
Medical Help
Your doctor can evaluate you to see if a prescription drug is appropriate to help you to quit smoking. Zyban, which is actually an antidepressant most commonly used to treat depression, has been found to be very effective in helping smokers overcome their cravings for cigarettes. Psychologically too, this drug enhances your feeling of well-being and lessens the stress of the withdrawal symptoms. You might feel less anxious, irritable, and be able to sleep better using this drug to help quit smoking.
Stop smoking injections are also becoming more and more available. You can find out more about the latest research regarding this method to quit smoking but asking your doctor.
Alternative Therapies
Many non-traditional methods exist to help you quit smoking. Don’t be afraid to explore what’s available. You might find that hypnosis, acupuncture, or laser therapy is just what you need to stop smoking for good.