Quit Smoking Australia, How to quit Smoking, Effects of Smoking

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Quit Smoking

Jun 1, 2007

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Quit Smoking Australia, How to quit Smoking, Effects of Smoking

In Australia, over 23,000 people a year die from a smoking-related illness. Tobacco abuse costs Australians 21 billion dollars a year in health care, business and social costs and passive smoking kills over 200 people a year, half of which are children. A pack a day (25 cigarettes) habit costs $70 a week on an average, and adds up to more than $3,500 per year. These are scary statistics, but if you are thinking of quitting, there is help available to you. We’ve compiled some of the better-known quit smoking methods for you to take a look at.

Withdrawal Symptoms

Withdrawal symptoms occur as the body reacts to not having nicotine and other assorted chemicals entering the body. Some withdrawal symptoms will last for only a few days, while some will last for a few weeks. The important thing to remember is that they’re transitory. Some common withdrawal symptoms include:

cravings
anxiety
irritability
occasional headaches
upset digestion
sore throat
nausea
constipation
changed sleeping patterns
coughing
temporary increase in appetite

Hypnotherapy

Hypnosis is a natural process that we actually enter ourselves at various times of the day and especially at night when we are falling asleep. There is a point in consciousness known as the hypnoidal point and this is where we are in an alternate state of awareness. We are half awake and half asleep, relaxed and comfortable, safe and secure, aware and not bothered. It is in this state that hypnotists work to facilitate change using positive commands. The hypnotic state sees you open to suggestion in order to attain the results that you want.

It is as simple as being transported to the state of hypnosis (often using music to distract the patient from the silence of the calmness), some affirmations that determine that you no longer want to smoke before being gently awakened.

Acupuncture

Traditional acupuncture and auricular acupuncture can both be used when quitting smoking. In traditional acupuncture, acupuncture needles or a low level laser is used on the auricular points of the ears, and also on the nose, hands, wrist and forearm. Three different areas are worked on: treating points for the addiction to nicotine to help block the body’s need for the drug; treating diet points to control appetite and avoid weight gain; and treating stress and relaxation points to help avoid withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety and irritability.

Auricular acupuncture uses needles or a low level laser that is placed on the outer surface of the ear. A selection of points is used and it is often combined with body acupuncture. Auricular acupuncture works by causing the body to release endorphins. When a person is addicted to nicotine, they have higher endorphin levels, and when they give up, these levels of endorphins drop. Auricular acupuncture maintains the levels of endorphins and stabilizes their release. This form of acupuncture also creates a sense of calmness and relaxation, allowing withdrawal symptoms such as stress, anxiety, restlessness and physical cravings to be treated.

Counseling

Counseling is an option for quitting smoking. It is available as a one-on-one program or as group therapy and which you choose will depend on your personal preferences. Counseling is ideal if you do not like the idea of using medication to quit. Telephone help lines such as the Quitline are also available but these counseling sessions need to be regular for there to be a benefit. The more sessions of any form of counseling, the greater the chance of success.

Visiting a doctor for advice on quitting smoking or following a Quit pack is also helpful, especially if you are highly motivated to quit.

Going Cold Turkey

Going “cold turkey” simply means quitting cigarettes completely without cutting down. This is a successful method for around half of smokers that quit. Alternatively, you could cut down on the amount of cigarettes you smoke – reducing to five per day and gradually going down to zero. To help ensure that this approach works, it is advisable to set a quit date where you cut out cigarettes altogether and stick to it.

Nicotine Replacement Therapy

Nicotine replacement therapy is available as chewing gum, patches, inhalers, lozenges, sprays and tablets. These are available from the pharmacy without prescription. The amount of time that you spend on nicotine replacement therapy will depend on your individual circumstances but if you spend longer than eight weeks on the treatment, it will not increase your chances of quitting.

Nicotine replacement therapy is suitable for moderate to heavy smokers. If you smoke more than ten cigarettes a day, this treatment may improve your chances of quitting as much as two-fold. However, if you smoke less than ten cigarettes a day, you are not smoking enough to become as addicted to nicotine and therefore this treatment may not work.

People that have a history of heart problems, or who are pregnant or breast-feeding, should consult their doctors before beginning nicotine replacement therapy.