Quitting smoking can be a difficult process
as nicotine is so addictive. Many trying to quit smoking
experience craving, anxiety, irritability and hunger.
These nicotine withdrawal symptoms begin within a few
hours of abstinence, peak within a few days and last about
four weeks.
Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) reduces these
symptoms, encouraging quitters to maintain their abstinence.
NRT is a means of supplying nicotine to the body
without giving the toxic and often carcinogenic substances
associated with cigarettes, such as carbon monoxide, cyanide,
benzene, other benzene-like hydrocarbons, cadmium and
arsenic. Nicotine, itself, is far less harmful. By supplying
low doses of nicotine to the body, the symptoms associated
with withdrawal including irritability, poor concentration,
hunger pangs, craving for cigarettes and weight gain are
reduced so that the smoker finds it easier to break their
smoking habit.
Studies have shown that those who quit using some form
are NRT are more successful. Even higher success
rates are achieved when there is also some behavioural
and motivational support
NRT is available in many forms including gums,
inhalers, nasal sprays, patches and lozenges. The type
of NRT most suitable for you depends on.
How
much you smoke?
The choice of NRT will depend on how many cigarettes
you smoke; obviously heavier smokers and those more addicted
will need to you use higher strength products.
Your
smoking patterm
The manner in which you smoke. Smokers who smoke at
regular intervals may have different requirements for
NRT than smokers who only smoke in the evenings.
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