Nicotine is a very addictive drug that many struggle with once they start smoking. If you stop smoking cold turkey, you battle with withdrawals. This is due to your body having built a dependency upon the drug. Withdrawals include mood swings, anxiety, depression, and cravings. In short, using nicotine replacement therapy allows you to have a better chance at quitting for good.
Who Should Use Nicotine Replacement Therapy?
Not everyone needs to use this method to quit smoking. For some, it is no problem to simply quit cold turkey. This method is the best for people who have a dependency or have failed to quit in the past. The following are other signs that you may have an addiction and need NRT:
- Smoke more than a pack a day
- Need a cigarette within a few minutes of waking
- Need a cigarette before sleeping
- Waking in the night with cravings
- Smoking despite being ill
- Smoke to reduce a withdrawal symptom
How Does it Work?
Using a combination of products that contain nicotine but not tobacco and counseling works to eliminate the dependency. Counselors and therapists are additions to the support network you need to successfully quit because they can help you handle the stress and anxiety that comes with withdrawal. Also, smoking is often used as a coping mechanism. You will need to cope with the triggers, or you will turn to another addictive substance.
NRT can be started at any time, which is why it is desired by so many. The second you decide to quit smoking and reduce tobacco, you can use any form of NRT. The only restriction you will need to keep an eye on is the amount of time you need to wait between doses of nicotine.
What Works?
You have decided to take the plunge and eliminate tobacco from your life. There are many types of NRT products on the market. The first is tobacco-free pouches (click here for chew) that will eliminate the smoke and tobacco. Other products include:
- Patches
- Gum
- Lozenges
- Inhalers
- Nasal Sprays
All these products still contain small amounts of nicotine. The goal is to reduce your nicotine dependence. If you are looking for a replacement therapy that eliminates tobacco and nicotine, CBD gummies are ideal. Verma Farms offers a variety of flavors that offer health benefits. Dependence on nicotine causes extreme anxiety and depression when you are withdrawing. Worse is the amount of damage the drug does to your body. Therapy can help the psychological complications of using nicotine, but CBD assists with the physical damage.
The path is long and will not be easy. Overcoming any dependence is only possible if you have a support network set up before starting the trek to better health. Allow your family and friends to help you become clean but let them know not to use around you. Whichever method of replacement therapy you decide on, do not allow setbacks to discourage you from continuing.
Feature photo by Maria Orlova
