Anyone that has quit smoking or given up tobacco products knows that it is a difficult journey. Through the help of a variety of smoking cessation aids, more smokers are successfully kicking the tobacco habit and instead are replacing tobacco products with nicotine patches and nicotine gum. Here are suggestions for quitting and becoming free from nicotine replacement therapy.
Causes of Addiction to Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT)
Nicotine replacement products like gum and lozenges are effective because they release a small dose of nicotine into the blood stream to lessen the withdrawal when quitting smoking or tobacco. The withdrawal symptoms when using Nicorette or Commit while quitting are lessened making the battle a little less difficult, but since nicotine is the actual drug that causes addiction, it’s possible to become addicted to these smoking cessation products.
Important Tips When Using Nicotine Gum and Lozenges
- Always follow the program as directed, if not, there is a higher chance of becoming addicted.
- Cut back on the use of the nicotine gum and nicotine lozenges gradually.
- Follow the guidelines for use. For instance, it is suggested to not exceed 20 Commit lozenges a day or one piece of Nicorette every 1 or 2 hours.
- It is suggested that use of the Nicotine gum and Nicotine lozenges stop completely at 12 weeks. The longer the product is used, the more dependent a person is likely to become.
Tips for Quitting Nicotine Gum and Nicotine Lozenges
- If there is a possibility of addiction, first try to cut back similarly to cutting back when smoking cigarettes. Keep track of how much gum or how many lozenges are used and see how many can be skipped each day.
- Try to replace the nicotine gum or lozenges with candies that have the same texture or feel. Many people quit successfully by replacing nicotine gum with regular mint gum or by replacing nicotine lozenges with peppermints.
- Try an alternative method to quit smoking like hypnotherapy or nicotine patches. There is a possibility of becoming addicted to the nicotine patch but it’s less likely because of the method in which it is used.
An addiction to smoking cessation aids is still healthier then inhaling the dangerous carcinogens in cigarettes and can be cheaper than smoking or using tobacco and should not deter anyone from using them as a method to quit smoking. With just a couple more steps, smokers can also quit nicotine replacement products and become completely free of nicotine
Christina Majaski - Christina Majaski is a mother, legal assistant and freelance writer. She has written articles, quizzes and stories for print ...
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