THE HELP YOU NEED TO QUIT FOR LIFE

Quitting requires preparation

Most studies have demonstrated that you shouldn't just quit. If you have been smoking for a while, and have failed at staying smoke free, there are steps you can take to succeed. Set your quit date three or four weeks away, and prepare to stop.

You need support

Over-the-counter aids, such as nicotine gum and nicotine patches, can help you control your cravings. However, the most effective program for quitting involves support. Groups like smoke enders can really help. Another alternative is hypnotherapy. Hypnosis has been used for years in smoking cessation and many people find it to be an effective option to medication.

Many people choose to take a medication called Wellbutrin or Zyban. This medication is started weeks before your quit date, and can greatly decrease your craving for cigarettes. You need a prescription from a doctor for Wellbutrin/Zyban.

If quitting proves to be harder than you thought,

there are other options. Supportive psychotherapy and cognitive behavioral therapy can help. Cognitive behavioral therapy can focus on the specific defeating or destructive thoughts that keep you from suceeding, and gives you the tools to change these patterns. Supportive psychotherapy can help you learn what may be missing and how to replace smoking with a fun and productive activity.

Quick Tips

• Refuse to smoke socially
• Don't borrow cigarettes or a light
• Smoke by yourself
• Don't smoke while you are doing other activities, or as a reward
• Change brands to a brand you don't like as much
• Begin to throw away your cigarettes before they reach the filter
• Choose a quit date
• After you quit, replace a smoke break with a piece of nicorette gum
• After two weeks, try switching to the patch with regular chewing gum during smoke breaks, and follow the instructions on the patch packaging. Keep chewing regular gum for at least two weeks after finishing the patch.
• Don't do it alone! Either quit with a friend, family member, see a therapist, or join a support group. While many people are able to quit, most will return to smoking without a support system.