Ditch the Butts: Top 4 Ways to Drop Your Smoking Habit

Deciding to quit is the first step toward ditching the butts and dropping your smoking habit, but it’s not quite as simple as just saying you’re going to quit. Smoking is both a physical addiction and a psychological habit.

Nicotine provides a temporary, yet addictive, high. The substance provides a “feel good” effect on the brain that many individuals use to deal with stress, anxiety, depression, and even boredom. Eliminating that temporary fix will cause withdrawal symptoms as well as cravings.

Likewise, smoking is often ingrained as a daily habit or even a ritual. You may light up immediately following your morning coffee, after a meal, or at the end of a long day. You may even have family and friends who smoke with whom you relate.

To effectively drop your smoking habit, you will need to address the addiction as well as the habits and/or routines tied to it. While it isn’t easy, with the right strategies, you can quit.

1. Behavioral Therapy

This strategy involves working with a counselor to identify effective ways to quit smoking. You’ll work with your counselor to identify emotions, situations, and other triggers that typically make you want to smoke. And then you’ll create a plan to help you work through cravings. Your counselor will also help you devise a strategy to avoid the triggers you have identified.

2. Nicotine Replacement Therapy

Another strategy that many individuals find helpful is nicotine replacement therapy. This approach involves using nicotine gum, patches, inhalers, sprays, lozenges, or vaping kits from places like The Vape Mall to offset the withdrawal you’ll experience when trying to quit.

The process works by giving you the nicotine fix your body wants without the tobacco. It’s important to remember with this technique that your ultimate goal is to gradually end your nicotine addiction too, not just quit using tobacco. Most individuals are most successful with this strategy when it is also paired with behavioral support.

3. Medication

Some individuals may also benefit from medication to support their efforts. Bupropion (Zyban) and varenicline (Chantix) are prescription medications that your doctor can prescribe to help you with cravings as well as common withdrawal symptoms.

4. Combination Treatment

For many individuals, combining treatment methods increases the chance of actually quitting. For example, combining a nicotine patch and prescription medication may be better than just a patch.

Or pairing behavioral therapy with nicotine replacement therapy may help you be more successful than just one or the other. In any case when you are paring treatments, it is important to work closely with your doctor for specific recommendations.

No matter what treatment strategy you use, it is important to have a plan in place before you attempt to quit. You also need to choose a date that provides you with enough time to prepare without losing your momentum or motivation. Be sure to share with your friends and gather as much support as you can too.