Smoking is a terrible habit that affects a large population in the United States. It can be easily addictive and difficult to stop. The mind is quite fond of the addictive substance inhaled during smoking. However, smoking is an extreme detriment to one's health. Perhaps the most well-known problem is that it can cause cancer. Lung cancer is the most common form of the disease that can occur. However, it isn't always the kind of cancer that smokers receive. Cancer can occur virtually anywhere in the body. Smoking merely contributes to the risk of developing cancer. Throat cancer can be developed just as easily as liver or stomach cancer.

Smoking doesn't just affect the individual either. Secondhand smoking can be just as deadly as actually smoking. Individuals may be decreasing the health of their loved ones without even realizing it. Their children could develop health problems early in life or later even if they never touch a cigarette themselves. Because of how damaging smoking can be, it's important that smokers quit the habit. Luckily, there are quite a few different methods to help to quit. This article will discuss a few of those methods.

1 - Cold Turkey/Gradual Reduction

The first aspect that you need to decide when you choose to quit smoking is whether you're going to quit at once or gradually. Cold turkey is often referred to as quitting in a single day. It isn't always effective for those who are long-term smokers. However, if you choose to quit smoking at once, then you can help yourself be successful in refraining from picking the habit up again by removing any temptation to smoke in one fell swoop. In this way, you are no longer tempted by those items that you have in the house. It's also a good idea to talk to your family, friends, and coworkers. Those who you typically smoke with should be informed of your genuine desire to stop smoking. They'll be less likely to encourage you to smoke with them.

For those who want to stop smoking gradually, there are a few other methods that you can utilize to help you stave off smoking. Some of these may work better for certain individuals than others. The goal is to find a solution that works best for you, so you can ultimately stop smoking altogether.

2 - Replacement Therapy and Patches

Smokers typically develop dependence on smoking. Their brain craves it. That's why many smokers who choose to quit cold turkey aren't that successful. The demand their brain has to smoke becomes too much and they fall back into their old habit. For those who want to quit gradually, the best way to start is with replacement therapy or NRT.

The use of NRTs essentially helps to limit your cravings to smoke as well as aid with the symptoms that you're going to experience during the withdrawal. They are specifically designed to help you wean yourself off of smoking. NRTs still give you a small dose of what you crave without the other chemicals that can negatively impact your health.

If you choose to undergo the NRT route for quitting smoking, it's important to discuss your dosage with your dosage. The overall goal is to give up entirely and not just use it in place of smoking. Your doctor can help you through the weaning process.

3 - Other Medications

There are other medications that can help smokers quit, too.These medications work with certain parts of the brain to help stop craving. One in particular, works to reduce the amount of pleasure that the brain receives when smoking. These drugs are typically only supposed to be used during withdrawal as well as a few months afterward to ensure that you don't relapse. They are certainly only to be taken as directed and are not intended to be taken forever.

4 - Behavioral Support

Another method that smokers utilize to help them quit smoking is behavioral therapy. Sometimes, the need to smoke is more associated with behavior rather than a biological addiction. If there's an emotional or behavioral reason behind the use of smoking, then you can receive help with that through behavioral therapists and support groups. By uncovering the triggers that cause you to smoke, you can either become used to those triggers or develop habits that are healthier in dealing with those triggers. Often, smokers who receive some form of support typically have smaller chances of a relapse.