Comparing Methods To Stop Smoking

Are you motivated to stop smoking? If so, how are you going to do it? No doubt you’ve tried to use the willpower method and probably various other methods too. But this time you’re going to do it. So let’s look at the pros and cons – starting with some gloomy predictions as to whether you stand any chance of ‘giving up’ (a term I never normally use as it implies that you are making a huge sacrifice. In fact you are giving yourself a huge gift). A report published in the eminent New Scientist publication combined the results of more than 600 studies covering almost 72,000 smokers from America, Scandinavia and elsewhere in Europe. The results of this massive study showed that the average success rate for all methods was only 19 per cent – that is that only about one in five smokers are likely to succeed using the methods covered by the study. Since the study was made public, there are major restrictions on where smoking can take place and far more people have stopped smoking which only proves the point that you don’t smoke if you can’t smoke and its easy. ADVICE FROM YOUR DOCTOR - ZERO% EFFECTIVE This is the least successful outcome for the smoker. From the study of 72,000 smokers, not one stopped after being advised to do so by their doctor. However patients who are told that they have a serious cardiac condition produced the highest success rate of 36 per cent. WILLPOWER - 6% EFFECTIVE Willpower is probably the first method you’ve tried or will try. This method actually counts for very little as only 6 per cent of smokers stop by using their own strength of will - relying on their ability to ignore the classic side-effects of nicotine withdrawal, eg: irritability, insomnia and sweating, refusing to give in to any temptations to have another cigarette. In general terms, if 100 people choose to stop smoking relying on willpower alone, only three of them will still be cigarette free one year later. NICOTINE REPLACEMENT THERAPY (NRT) - 10% EFFECTIVE It is the nicotine that smokers are addicted to so, when they stop smoking, the body craves escape from the effects of no-nicotine. Patches/gum etc have only a 10 per cent success rate. There is little direct evidence that one nicotine product is more effective than another (figure). Thus the decision about which product to use should be guided by individual preferences. The patch delivers a steady level of nicotine throughout the day and can be worn unobtrusively. The main side effect is skin irritation. Nicotine patches help smokers to overcome any withdrawal effects by slowly releasing nicotine into the body. You start with patches that contain a higher level of nicotine in the first few weeks, and then step down to patches containing less nicotine. Nicotine from patches is absorbed at a much slower rate into the body than from a cigarette and there is little evidence that people can become addicted to them. PRESCRIPTION DRUGS ZYBAN & CHAMPIX - 20% effective after 12 monthsr Drugs are available from your GP. ZYBAN: The recommended and maximum dose of Zyban is 300 mg/day given as 150 mg, twice daily. Dosing should begin at 150 mg/day for the first three days followed by an increase to the usual dose of 300 mg/day. Treatment should be initiated while the patient is still smoking and a target date for smoking cessation should be within the first two weeks of Zyban treatment. Zyban therapy should continue for 7 to 12 weeks, depending on the effect of the therapy. If the patient has not reduced smoking by the seventh week of Zyban therapy, it is unlikely that he/she will quit during that attempt and Zyban therapy should be discontinued. CHAMPIX works primarily in two ways. Firstly, it reduces the smoker's craving for nicotine by binding to nicotine receptors in the brain and reduces the symptoms of withdrawal. Secondly, it reduces the satisfaction a smoker receives when smoking a cigarette. Success in clinical trials: 44% of the group treated with Champix had stopped smoking after being treated for 12 weeks, as opposed to 11% of smokers taking the placebo. Over the same duration, it was also shown to be twice as effective as Zyban (bupropion), the other main anti-smoking drug treatment. ACUPUNCTURE - 24% EFFECTIVE Acupuncture provides effective help with withdrawal symptoms successful in 24 per cent of cases, but does not help with the habitual aspect of smoking. Treatment is based on a combination of ear acupuncture points that are used extensively in centres for drug addiction. These are chosen because they influence the sympathetic nervous system, calm the mind and help the body detoxify. AVERSION THERAPY - 25% EFFECTIVE The aversion therapist uses images portraying smoking as a disgusting habit. Alte atively the client is asked to smoke continually until they feel nauseous, thereby making a negative connection in the mind between that nauseous feeling and smoking. HYPNOTHERAPY 60% EFFECTIVE I am a hypnotherapist specialising in helping clients to Stop Smoking and you would probably expect that I would be biased. But the same study, mentioned previously, found that Hypnosis is the most successful method of stopping smoking. 60 per cent stop smoking after a single session of hypnosis. It does require some will-power and motivation. However is it proven to be the most effective way to stop smoking and you are at least five to fifteen times more likely to succeed than by willpower alone. From my experience, many clients tell me that they never felt like having a cigarette after leaving the consulting room. I offer top-ups, but my clients rarely ask for one. SUMMARY OF PROS & CONS: WILLPOWER 6% Safe, natural; it costs nothing; it's not complicated. But: You may have to cope with irritability, restlessness, anxiety; 94% of people have their confidence undermined through failure to stop smoking. NICOTINE REPLACEMENT THERAPY (NRT) 10% This method doubles the success rate of people who are motivated to quit compared with relying on willpower. It's simple to use and provides a steady supply of nicotine. Variable strengths can be tailored to individual. It is discrete – patches can be hidden from sight. However: It should not be used without consulting a doctor if you have heart disease. It should not be used when pregnant or breastfeeding. It should not be used if client is less than 18 years old. It causes sleep disturbance. There is little benefit in using patches for more than 8 weeks. There will be a cost implication. Skin irritation and allergic reactions are possible. It can be tempting to continue to smoke even after starting to use the gum or patches. PRESCRIPTION DRUGS ZYBAN & CHAMPIX 20% success after 12 months This has to be undertaken in consultation with a doctor and there may be a weekly check up and talk by practice nurse. There is always a risk when taking drugs. They can take up to 12 weeks to work. ACUPUNCTURE 24% This is good at alleviating withdrawal symptom and particularly useful as a back-up once the client has stopped smoking. But then: There is a cost implication for the number of sessions required. HYPNOSIS 60% This is by far the most effective and painless method to quit smoking. Many clients find they never want another cigarette and have no withdrawal symptoms. The session can be completed in 2 hours and very few clients need a later backup. Of course there is a cost implication and some willpower is required. A way to reinforce the hypnotherapy is to prepare yourself before hand for the pressure times when you most "relied on" smoking. Listening to a confidence building relax-along audio has been one of my favorite methods, as it is so relaxing. TIPS TO HELP YOU STOP: Finding a temporary substitute habit such as chewing gum can help. Changing your routine to avoid those "danger" situations when you would normally have smoked. Avoiding alcohol which can undermine your resolve until you are certain you have become a non-smoker. Pick a date to stop and then stick to it, preparing yourself mentally beforehand. Get support from your non-smoking friends and family, or by stopping at the same time with a friend or relative.