5 Ways to Kick the Smoking Habit

While nicotine can be an addictive substance, it can also be a deadly one. Those who smoke cigarettes could put themselves at a higher risk for lung cancer and other long-term health issues. Therefore, it can be in your best interest to quit, and there are many strategies that you can use to do so.

Quit Cold Turkey

When you quit cold turkey, you pledge to never smoke another cigarette again without the help of a patch or other quitting aid. This is typically an effective strategy for those who have the mental ability to ignore their cravings or have some other forms of motivation to no longer use tobacco. It is, however, very difficult to do, and can end up demoralizing you if you stumble. To quit cold turkey, you will want to have friends and other methods to help support you through this transition.

Use a Patch or Lozenge

Nicotine patches, lozenges or similar products provide you with the nicotine that your body craves without the need to smoke. Each day, week or month, you transition to a product that provides you with a lower dose of nicotine. Eventually, your body will get past its desire for the substance, which means that you will no longer need cigarettes to feel like yourself.

Try Vaping

Health risks for vaping are currently unknown, but it is commonly recognized to be safer than smoking cigarettes. Vaping can be a good way for addicts to wean themselves off of a smoking habit. A portable vaporizer may be among the products used during your transition from smoking to becoming a nonsmoker. It has the benefits of being compact and not needing a light, so you can quickly use it in various places where smoking is not permitted.

Join a Support Group

If you smoke cigarettes for a long enough period of time, your body’s chemistry will be physically altered to need the substances that they contain. Therefore, it can be physically and mentally daunting to stop smoking cigarettes without any type of support. Ideally, you will turn to either a physical or online support group to help you get through the highs and lows of your journey. Look up smoking addiction recovery groups and general addiction recovery groups in your area or through a religious or community organization that you trust.

Tell Others About Your Plans

Telling others about your intention to quit smoking could make it easier to actually follow through on your plan. This is because your friends, spouse, or colleagues will be looking to you to stay true to your word. Even if you don’t succeed at first, putting in the effort to quit can have positive long-term consequences for your health.Smoking can be a dangerous and deadly habit that you should strive to quit as soon as possible. Whether you have been smoking for a few weeks or a few decades, kicking the habit can help you live a longer and healthier life.