How to Stop Smoking With an Aid Vs. Without an Aid

Making a commitment to stop smoking is a healthy and wise decision. Smoking is directly related to many diseases and it is an expensive habit. When you finally make the decision to quit, you may decide to quit with the use of an aid such as a patch, gum or medication. Or you may decide to go it alone without an aid to assist you in the process.

Instructions

How to Stop Smoking

• 1

  Commit to quitting first and foremost before you decide whether to use an aid. According to Dr. Celia Jaffe Winchell of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, smokers must first commit to quitting and then decide on a course of action. This could include using any of the smoking cessation aids or just quitting cold turkey.

• 2

  Consider your options once you make the decision to stop smoking. According to WebMd, using smoking-cessation aids is twice as effective than not using any type of aid by people who are trying to quit. The smoking cessation aids that are on the market include drugs like Chantix and Zyban and nicotine patches, inhalers and gum.

• 3

  Research the side effects of medications before you commit to using one to help you stop smoking. For instance, the drug Chantix may have serious psychological side effects. Pfizer, the maker of the medication, issued a warning to patients about the drug's side effects that is now posted on the medication packaging. These side effects include depression, suicidal thoughts, agitation and other behavioral changes.

• 4

  Determine whether there are alternative options as far as aids go. Some people may not be keen on using a nicotine substitute or taking a drug. However, options such as acupuncture or hypnosis may aid them in the quitting process. According to WebMD, besides medication, treatments for nicotine withdrawal include counseling, support groups, exercises and a healthy diet.

• 5

  Quitting cold turkey has a high success rating, according to WhyQuit.com, an anti-smoking website. Some smokers who give up the habit on their own can successfully remain smoke-free; and their chances of success increase if they incorporate behavioral changes or are able to get ongoing support. If you make the decision to quit cold-turkey, be patient with yourself, eat a nutritious diet, get plenty of exercise and try to reduce smoking triggers. Triggers can include places you used to smoke, people you used to smoke around or with, or emotions you experienced that may have caused you to want to light up. Making changes to avoid these triggers may increase your chance of success.