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The Best Stop Smoking Methods

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 45 million adult Americans are smokers, 32 million of whom wish to quit. Though breaking an addiction such as smoking may be one of the hardest things you'll ever do, there are many effective methods to help you succeed. Choose the one that works the best for you.

  1. By the Book

    • Allen Carr, the author of "Easy Ways to Quit Smoking" smoked 100 cigarettes a day before he found the techniques and methods that helped him kick the habit easily and without the anxiety that is typically associated with quitting.

      His book, a best-seller, has sold more than 4 million copies. Mr. Carr discusses techniques to help you avoid temptation, how to handle withdrawal symptoms and helps you discover the psychological reasons behind your dependency.

    Hypnosis

    • Your mind has two levels: the conscious and the subconscious. The conscious mind resonates the thoughts your subconscious mind emits. To change these beliefs, such as your need or desire to smoke, you must get to the subconscious.

      A certified hypnotherapist will move past your conscious level and use specific words or thoughts that become embedded in your subconscious. These words and thoughts are what you begin to associate with smoking once you are awakened from your hypnotic state.

      This method has a success rate of 66 percent among those attempting to quit.

    Nicotine Replacement Therapy

    • Nicotine replacement therapy reduces the cravings and withdrawal symptoms people feel when quitting smoking. These products release nicotine throughout the day, enabling smokers to put down the cigarette while gradually freeing themselves of their addiction.

      Nicotine replacement therapy comes in the form of a patch, gum, an inhaler and lozenges, which are available by prescription and over the counter.

      While using any of the nicotine replacement therapy methods, you should also seek a support group that will deal with the psychological effects of smoking.

    Medication

    • Varenicline, sold under the brand name Chantix, is a medication available by prescription only, and works in two ways: It helps reduce the withdrawal symptoms commonly associated with smoking cessation and blocks the nicotine receptors in your brain, which makes smoking less pleasurable.

      According to Thomas Glynn, director of cancer science and trends at the American Cancer Society, Chantix is a drug that will be most useful for smokers who have attempted to quit using alternative methods such as nicotine replacement therapy without success. In clinical trials, 44 percent of smokers quit successfully immediately after their 12 week treatment of Chantix.

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