Smoking Treatment

Recently Answered

• QWhat treatments can help me stop smoking?

  6 Answers

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  A Michael Lau, PhD , Psychology, answered on behalf of Health Directions

  One type of treatment involves scheduled smoking. This strategy includes reducing an individual’s nicotine intake gradually over a period of a few weeks by getting nicotine users to agree t increase the time between cigarettes for example. The cigarettes are smoked on a schedule provided by a treatment team, not when the smoker feels an intense craving. By doing this, the individual’s smoking behavior is controlled by the passage of time rather than by urges, mood states, or situations.

  Another type of treatment is reducing a smokers craving for nicotine by providing it in a different way -- this is called nicotine replacement treatment. The idea behind nicotine replacement treatment is to help smokers endure the nicotine withdrawal that accompanies any effort to stop smoking.

  Finally, the use of certain types of pharmacotherapy for smoking cessation has included the drug clonidine and silver acetate. Also, the use of Varenicline has shown to be effective for the treatment of nicotine dependence.

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• QWhat are the short-term benefits of quitting smoking?

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  A International Bipolar Foundation answered

  The short-term benefits of quitting smoking include the following:

  • 20 minutes after quitting, heart rate and blood pressure drop.
  • 2 hours after quitting, the amount of nicotine in the bloodstream will drop by half.
  • 8 hours after quitting, there will be more oxygen in the blood.
  • 12 hours after quitting, the carbon monoxide level in the blood drops to normal.
  • 72 hours after quitting, breathing becomes easier and bronchial tubes begin to relax.
  • 2 to 12 weeks after quitting, circulation improves and lung function increases.
  • 1 to 9 months after quitting, coughing and shortness of breath decrease. Cilia (tiny hair-like structures that move mucus out of the lungs) start to regain normal function in the lungs, increasing the ability to handle mucus, clean the lungs, and reduce the risk of infection.

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• QWill quitting smoking reduce my risk for cancer?

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  A Diana Meeks , Family Medicine, answered on behalf of Sigma Nursing

  Yes. After 10 years of not smoking, risk of cancer is half that of a person who continues to smoke.

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• QHow do I choose a stop-smoking treatment?

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  A Dr. Jeanne Morrison, PhD , Family Medicine, answered on behalf of Sigma Nursing

  Your doctor can help you choose a stop-smoking treatment that’s right for you depending on the length of time you have been a smoker, the types of cigarettes you smoked and how much you smoked. To increase your chances of success, a treatment program has to deal with both the physical and psychological symptoms of nicotine withdrawal. Nicotine replacement products such as gums, patches, lozenges and nasal sprays can help deal with nicotine withdrawal. Counseling and support groups can help you identify triggers that increase your urge to smoke and develop coping skills to avoid them.

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• QAre there alternative therapies to help me quit smoking?

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  A Piedmont Heart Institute answered

  Some people claim that alternative approaches such as hypnosis, acupuncture, acupressure, laser therapy, or electro stimulation may help reduce the symptoms associated with nicotine withdrawal. However, clinical studies have not shown that these alternative approaches help people quit smoking.

  This answer is based on the source information from the National Cancer Institute.

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• QHow do I rearrange my laundry room to avoid slip-ups when quitting smoking?

  1 Answer

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  A Dr. Jeanne Morrison, PhD , Family Medicine, answered on behalf of Sigma Nursing

  If you used to smoke in the laundry room, get rid of all triggers including ashtrays, lighters and matches. Because smoke gets into carpeting and drapes and may cause a residual odor in a room, get rid of the smoky smell with a deodorizer. Limit your activities in that room to what it's meant for -- doing laundry.
• QWhat is an effective plan to quit smoking?

  8 Answers

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  A West Valley Medical Center answered

  The current ways to quit smoking include medications that help with oral fixations, nicotine cravings, and depression.

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• QCan cinnamon sticks realistically help me replace cigarettes?

  2 Answers

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  A Univ. of Nev. School of Medicine, Family Medicine answered

  Cinnamon sticks may help with the psychological aspect of needing something in your mouth. Other things that may help in the same fashion are gum, toothpicks or hard candy.

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• QHow do I fight withdrawal from cigarette substance abuse?

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  A Dr. Jeanne Morrison, PhD , Family Medicine, answered on behalf of Sigma Nursing

  As you kick the smoking habit, you may experience feelings of withdrawal such as crankiness, depression or low energy. To deal with irritability, relax by taking a warm bath, listening to music or going for a walk. You can manage stress with meditation or yoga. If you’re having problems sleeping, try stretching or reading a book before bed. Also, avoid caffeine a few hours before bedtime. Also, remember that exercising -- riding a bike or walking -- also helps beat withdrawal. You can relieve some of the symptoms and cope with the cravings by taking deep breaths, drinking at least 8 ounces of water, staying active and delaying your response to cravings.

  Also, to combat weight gain, cut back on fat  and sugar in your diet and snack on low-calorie foods. Smoking cessation medications can also curb the cravings and potential weight gain.

• QWhat is the cheapest option to manage my nicotine addiction?

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  A Univ. of Nev. School of Medicine, Family Medicine answered

  The least expensive option for smoking cessation is obviously to quit “cold turkey," but unfortunately this is usually not as effective as other methods. The addition of tobacco cessation counseling can be fairly inexpensive and quite effective. There are counseling programs and support groups available through local American Lung Association chapters, insurance companies, local hospitals, or quit lines. Your insurance company may also cover nicotine replacement therapies or prescription medications, such as bupropion (Wellbutrin or Zyban) or varenicline (Chantix). Nicotine replacement therapies (chewing gum, lozenges, patches, inhalers, nasal sprays) are available over-the-counter and prices can vary for these products, so it’s best to compare different pharmacies, as well as therapies.

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