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Choose the method to quit smoking that works for you

There are tens of millions of people who truly want to quit smoking. Every smoker knows the benefits of quitting smoking. They realize that smoking can cause lung cancer, heart problems and can exacerbate a host of other health problems. The want to quit smoking yet they continue to smoke.

You may be one such person. You’ve read the quit smoking information and may have tried a number of times. Many people use one method to quit smoking after another, ranging from the ‘cold turkey’ approach to the quit smoking patches and gums. There is more quit smoking advice on the net than you can shake a stick at.

If you are like most people, if you fail with your quit smoking plan, it’s a disappointing experience, typically accompanied by a big self-inflicted guilt trip. If you want to quit smoking, you need to understand that the best method to quit smoking is the one that fits your individual physical makeup and psychological profile.

You probably have heard the benefits of quitting smoking from your doctor. In fact, they might have told you that the patches or gums were one of the best ways to quit smoking, with a high success rate. A friend who quit a few years ago may have endorsed the ‘cold turkey’ method, with a supercilious, “it’s just mind over matter!” So why didn’t either of these work for you? The fact is that you are, like everyone else in this world, an individual. What works for another person may not work you.

First I want to tell you that I quit smoking many years ago. I quit using hypnosis relaxation and visualization techniques (self-hypnosis) and willpower. There really weren’t many other methods to quit back then.

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Today people can quit with a number of means. Many people after visiting their doctor will choose the patch. Although you don’t need a prescription anymore, I have talked with many people who were prescribed a certain dosage which corresponded with the amount they were smoking. The idea behind the patch is gradually decreasing the nicotine eases the withdrawal factor. This does work for some people, but many people just don’t have any luck with it.

The problem with the delivery system of the patch is that it pumps nicotine into the bloodstream. Some people experience a nicotine rush that can make them feel as though they want to jump out of their skin. It can cause dizziness, which can make driving a real problem. Other people become ill and vomit. So be aware that not only does the patch not work for everyone, it has some very strong drawbacks as well.

Another method to quit smoking is nicotine gum. Although the problems may not be as severe, nicotine gum also has side effects similar to the patch. Many people complain of an upset stomach or dryness of the mouth.

Like I mentioned above, a widely used method to quit smoking is hypnosis. I have helped hundreds of clients that really want to quit smoking. The biggest key is that they really have to want to quit smoking and not be a result of wanting to please someone else. Hypnosis relaxation methods will work if you want to quit and are committed to being smoke free. Many people quit after one session with no cravings or symptoms of withdrawal.

If you do quit with hypnosis, or any other method, you need to be aware of people that will test your resolve. So if you have made the commitment to stay smoke free and then are tempted by a friend that says something like, “Oh, c’mon! One’s not going to hurt!” don’t give in. It only takes one to get you back on the path of smoking again.

Some people quit by switching from name brand cigarettes to natural 100% tobacco cigarettes. Name-brand cigarettes contained anywhere from 500 to 1000 (!) chemicals, in addition to the nicotine. Some of the most severe withdrawal symptoms are a result of the chemicals in the brand name cigarettes. After a while some people then switch to a herbal substitutes.

So it’s easy to see that while there are many ways to quit smoking, you need to do a little research and decide on the method to quit smoking that might work best for you. You can make this determination more easily by doing a little investigative work. Do scary pictures of lung cancer x-rays gross you out? Google some images and tack them up above your desk for inspiration and motivation. How about an online quit smoking support group or forum? Browse a book store for a self-help book on ways to quit smoking. I have written an e-course “Getting ready to stop smoking” that you can have at no charge to help you with your quest. The key is, don’t give up! Sooner or later, you’ll find resources that motivate you.

Talk to your doctor, join a quit smoking forum and read up on the effects of this nasty and expensive habit. Find your personal motivations and what best helps address your triggers. That’s when you’ll find your best method to quit smoking. And remember, you can, like millions of others, do it!