Methods to Quit Smoking

If you’re sick of smoking and you want to stop, there are many methods you can choose from. Some make sense, some don’t, and some are just a complete joke.

Most of these have side effects, and they could potentially make you start smoking again, possibly even more than before.

I’ve tried some of these and it’s true.

I don’t understand how anyone can invent something that causes horrible side effects. But I guess that’s what drugs do. They cause side effects.

It’s all about money really, and profit and greed. They know most methods don’t work. And by “they” I mean the pharmaceutical companies.

Over the years I’ve tried virtually everything.

Heroin addicts aren’t given heroin to ween themselves off it. Alcoholics aren’t given alcohol while they’re going through detox.

Why should nicotine addicts be treated any differently? They shouldn’t.

If you’re addicted to nicotine, you’re a DRUG ADDICT. You’re addicted to a drug. Accept it, acknowledge it, and then take the next step.

Just don’t take the route that feeds your body nicotine in the process. That’s not a cure, that’s prolonged agony, and in the end, it just doesn’t work.

Now I’m not saying you can’t quit using any of these, but the success rates are very slim.

Of course you’re going to know a few people who’ve quit using the patch, or by acupuncture, but they are few and far between. The odds are stacked against you.

Instead of wasting years and years of your life choosing the wrong method, just choose the right way to begin with.

Let’s look at some of them:

NICOTINE GUM – This one has been around for a long time. It seems to be widely used, and there are tons of commercials about it.

But does it work? What is the success rate?

I’ve used the gum before and it didn’t work for me. It’s not like actual gum. You don’t chew it, you jam it into your mouth along the gum line and hold it.

Nicotine will be absorbed.

You can’t blow bubbles or any of that nonsense. It’s not like that.

After a while, it becomes a nuisance.

For me, it was just annoying and it didn’t help with the mental cravings at all.

NICOTINE PATCH – This actually works; however, it has awful side effects.

Yes, it takes away the physical cravings. That’s a good thing. You won’t be craving a cigarette while on the patch.

But, it doesn’t take away the psychological cravings, which in the long run, are WAY more important.

Plus, there are side effects. You’ll have nightmares.

At least that was my experience with them.

Yes, the physical withdrawal was gone, but sleeping was horrific. I love sleeping way too much to want to go through that on a daily basis.

It wasn’t worth it.

I don’t really recommend using the patch. If you do decide to use it, I’d advise you to take it off before going to bed.

If you forget to one night, then the next day you will know what I’m talking about, and you’ll never forget again.

It’s terrifying.

Let’s just say the side effects were so bad I ripped off the patch and started smoking again.

ACUPUNCTURE – This is something I haven’t tried, but again, the success rate is very slim. Plus it’s very expensive.

I know there are a lot of people that believe in alternative medicine, but I’m reaching out to the severe nicotine addicts, not just those who smoke 1 or 2 a day.

I’m talking to the heavy smokers out there, who smoke 20-50 cigarettes a day.

I really don’t think sticking pins and needles in your body is going to suddenly cure a lifelong addiction.

Yes, there are some it will work for, but certainly not many.

If acupuncture cured everyone of nicotine addiction, it would make international headlines.

Does it? Nope.

HYPNOSIS – This is another method I haven’t tried. I’m not even really sure how to go about finding a hypnotist in the first place.

I’m sure that poses many problems for smokers. Where do you find someone?

This is true especially if you live in a small city. Do you live in a small city? Then this isn’t even an option for you.

Now I can understand the theory behind hypnosis, and how it basically “tricks” your mind into believing you’re a non-smoker. That part I somewhat believe.

However, what I don’t believe is the logical aspect of it.

Again, if hypnosis had a 100% success rate, it would make worldwide news.

If it cured nicotine addiction, then it should also cure heroin addiction, too, right?

After all, they are both the result of substance abuse. Sadly, I’ve never heard of such a case.

Seems fishy to me.

CHANTIX – This somewhat resembles the nicotine patch. However, Chantix is a pill that blocks nicotine from attaching to your brain receptors. That way, you stop receiving the “high” you get from nicotine.

That’s why you smoke in the first place, to get that “high” and Chantix prevents that from occurring.

You continue to smoke as you normally do, but after a few days, you won’t be receiving your fix like you used to get. Because of that, those cigarettes will taste awful. You won’t want to smoke them.

Sounds wonderful, right? Yes, it does.

However, there are HORRIBLE side effects.

Suicidal thoughts are one of them. Having nightmares, just like the patch, are another side effect.

I haven’t tried Chantix before, and I don’t want to. Sleeping is supposed to be fun and relaxing, not terrifying.

It certainly isn’t the wonder drug it’s made out to be. There are better, safer methods to quit out there. In my opinion, this is not one of them.

I know there are a lot of people who quit using Chantix, but at what price?

If sleeping issues don’t bother you, then I’m sure you’ll find great success. I’m not one of those people. I like my sleep.

ELECTRONIC CIGARETTES – This is what you need to be doing. This is how I successfully quit smoking this last time. I totally recommend it.

Learn all about vaping and what you need to do in this section.

ZYBAN/WELLBUTRIN – This is taken orally as a pill, everyday throughout treatment. It’s an anti-depressant, so it makes you feel good. It’s the happy pill.

There isn’t any nicotine contained in it, and it’s available only by prescription, so you need to see a doctor and have insurance.

You have insurance, right? Most people don’t.

You continue to live your everyday life while taking it, and after about 2 to 3 weeks, you should start to notice a lessened desire for tobacco. But that comes at a price, and it is not 100% guaranteed.

You’ll experience some side effects, including insomnia, diarrhea, and nightmares. So this is not all fun and games.

It may reduce the cravings, but you might also feel sick to your stomach at the same time.

HERBAL REMEDIES – These can take a variety of forms, ranging from pills, teas, and extracts. None of these are FDA approved, so they may or may not work.

Some of them may be of use, but I wouldn’t 100% guarantee any of them, especially if you’re a hardcore smoker. Their success rate just isn’t good enough.

In my opinion, it just isn’t realistic to try these things.

Stick to cold turkey or switch to vaping.