Experts say three methods
work. You have the best chances of quitting if you use them
together:
 Use
the nicotine patch or gum
Get
support and encouragement
Learn
how to handle urges to smoke and stress
1. Use the Nicotine
Patch or Nicotine Gum
The patch and gum help lessen the urge to
smoke. The nicotine in the patch and gum passes through the skin. This
reduces the craving for nicotine when you stop smoking. It is important to
follow the directions carefully when using the patch or gum. Ask your
health care provider for advice or read the information in the
package.
While you may still get
cravings
to smoke, don't smoke while
using the patch or
gum!
Who should use the nicotine patch or
nicotine gum?
Research shows that almost everyone can
benefit from using the patch or gum.
If you are pregnant or have heart or blood
vessel problems, your health care provider will be especially careful
about giving you the patch or gum.
How do I know what strength is right
for me?
The Patch: Most
smokers should start using a full-strength patch (15-22 mg of nicotine)
daily for 4 weeks and then use a weaker patch for another 4 weeks (5-14 mg
of nicotine).
The gum: Many
smokers should start using the 2-mg dose. However, you may want to use
4-mg gum if you:
Smoke
more than 20 cigarettes a day
Smoke
as soon as you wake up in the morning
Have
severe withdrawal symptoms when you don't smoke
Have
tried and failed to quit on a lower dose.
If you are a very light smoker (less than
10-15 cigarettes a day) or have health problems, a health care provider
can help you select the right dose.
Should I use the nicotine patch or
the nicotine gum?
Both treatments can help once you are ready
to quit. The choice is up to you. Some people don't like the taste of the
gum or don't like chewing in public and prefer the patch. Others have been
unable to quit on the patch and want to try the gum. Here is some
information to help you decide which one is right for you.
Using the nicotine patch
or
gum about doubles your
chances of
quitting.
NICOTINE
PATCH
Directions for
use:
At the start of each day, a new patch is
placed on a part of the body between the neck and waist. Each day, the
patch is moved to a new spot to lessen skin irritation.
Treatment
period:
The patch is usually used for up to 8
weeks.
Side
effects:
Some people who use the patch get a rash on
their body where the patch is placed. Skin rashes are usually mild and
easily treated. Moving the patch to another area of the body
helps.
How to get
it:
Currently, the patch is prescribed by a
doctor. (Check with your health insurance to find out if the cost is
covered.)
NICOTINE
GUM
Directions for
use:
The gum must be chewed in a special way to
make it work. It is chewed slowly until a "peppery" taste comes out. Then,
the gum is placed between the cheek and gum. Each piece of gum should be
used for about 30 minutes.
Treatment
period:
People often chew too few pieces of gum per
day and for too few weeks to get the most benefits from using it. A fixed
schedule (at least one piece every 1-2 hours for at least 1-3 months) may
give the best results.
Side
effects:
Some people develop mild side effects such as
hiccups, upset stomach, or jaw ache. Most of these side effects go away if
the gum is used correctly.
How to get
it:
The gum is newly available without a doctor's
prescription. To be safe, carefully read and follow directions inside the
package. Also, you can talk to your health care provider about how to use
it and for how long.
If you have any side
effects
from the patch or gum, be
sure to tell your health
care
provider right away.
As this booklet went to press,
nicotine nasal spray was approved for use in the United
States by the Food and Drug Administration. It joins the patch and gum as
useful aids for quitting smoking.
2. Get Support And
Encouragement
Counseling can help you learn how to live as
a nonsmoker. Brief counseling or advice from your health care provider can
help. Also, you may want to join a quit smoking program. Studies of people
who have quit show the more counseling you have, the greater your chance
of success. Here is what to look for in a quit smoking program:
Session length: at least 20-30 minutes long
Number
of sessions: at least 4-7 sessions
Number
of weeks: at least 2 weeks
Don't be afraid to talk about how you
feel---fears of not being able to quit or problems with family or friends.
Your family, friends, or health care provider can offer encouragement and
support. Self-help materials and hotlines are available.
If you get the urge for a cigarette, call
someone to help talk you out of it---preferably an ex-smoker. Write down
the names and phone numbers of people you can call on a piece of paper and
keep it with you.
3. Learn How To Handle
Urges to Smoke and Stress
Be aware of things that may cause you to want
to smoke. For example:
Being
around other smokers
Being
under time pressure
Getting into an argument
Feeling sad or frustrated
Drinking alcohol
Avoid difficult situations while you are
trying to quit. Try to lower your stress level. Take time to do things you
enjoy. Exercise, such as walking, jogging, or bicycling can also help.
Write down on a piece of paper the events, feelings, or activities that
make you want a cigarette. You may want to talk about them with your
health care provider or support group, or with a
friend.
The key to handling an urge is to distract
yourself from thoughts of smoking:
Talk
to someone
Get
busy with a task
Read a
book
Write down on a piece of paper 3 things that
will work for you.
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