For many quitting smoking has been a rollercoaster ride. Many attempts have been made with no success. You are not alone. Only 1 in 10 smokers are successful on each attempt. Why?
Nicotine is the SOLE reason for continued tobacco usage. Nicotine is safe in usual 1-4mg doses, BUT TOBACCO IS THE SOLE CAUSE OF DISEASE.
The benefits that some people think they get from smoking is actually the benefits of nicotine which include: mental alertness, stimulation of your muscles, and assisting in a feeling of relaxation. Nicotine itself is a safe substance.
SO HOW CAN YOU QUIT?
Using safe pure nicotine substitution.
1. Gum 2mg nicotine ($30/105 pieces)
2. Lozenges ($22/24)
3. Inhaler ($45/42 cartridges)
The above techniques allow for flexible dosing when you have a craving.
4. Patch (Provides 7-14mg of nicotine and allows for a baseline level of nicotine)
5. & 6. I won’t talk to much about the pills but they are available. One may use Zyban (Buproprian) or Champix (Verenicline) (may be a little more effective and newer but has some side effects that you can discuss with your doctor).
Combination therapy has shown to increase success rates by 3-4 times.
What doesn’t work: acupuncture, laser therapy, and hypnosis. When compared to a placebo the rates of stopping smoking are not better.
5% of people quit cold turkey for 6-12 months, but most relapse in about 8 days. 2/3 to 3/4 of people quit smoking on their own, this is good but is always good to talk to your doctor or health care provider about this. We are here to help you with the process.
The Disgusting facts that you already know about so I will not spend too much time writing about it: Tobacco contains 10 billion carbon particles/ml, 4500 chemicals, 500 are gaseous and 50 are carcinogenic, sexual dysfunction in later years, poor healing of injuries, 7 year life span loss in the “golden retirement years”, increased risk of heart attacks, increased risk of stroke, and increased risk for many cancers.
STAY MOTIVATED: YOU CAN DO IT. WE CAN HELP. YOU ONLY HAVE ONE BODY TO LIVE IN, TAKE THE BEST POSSIBLE CARE OF IT.
If you have tried quitting and were not successful try again. The Japanese have a proverb that says success is falling down 7 times and getting up 8 times.
Love my life and your life,
Peter Eppinga M.D.
Excellent article, Dr. Peter. My mother tried to stop smoking for 30 years without success. She went to a Stop Smoking Clinic at UBC and has been free ever since. I doubt that she would be alive without getting free. Many of her friends, who all smoked, are either dead or in nursing homes on oxygen.