Quit Smoking and Manage Withdrawal Symptoms
Addiction to nicotine is a difficult dependence to give up, and many smokers find themselves trying to quit smoking and kick the habit over and over again. Working with a knowledgeable mental health professional who can prescribe medication to not only help you quit, but help you manage withdrawal symptoms may be the only way you can finally succeed and break the hold nicotine has on your life.
Quit Smoking Statistics
If you are a smoker who wants desperately to quit smoking but have been unable to succeed on your own, you are not alone:
- 70% of smokers want to quit
- 40% of smokers will try to quit this year
- 7% of those who try to quit will actually succeed on their first try; 93% will not
- 50% of those who quit will relapse after drinking alcohol
- 5% of smokers are able to quit cold turkey
If you are one of the 93% who are unable to quit the first time, second time, or successive times, it is time to seek the professional help you need in order to become an ex-smoker.
- 90% of those who quit smoking before the age of 30 reduce their rate of death related to smoking
- 50% of those who quit before the age of 50 reduce their rate of death from smoking
Signs of Severe Smoking Dependence
Smokers who are seriously dependent on nicotine may exhibit one or more of the following signs:
- Smoking more than 1 pack of cigarettes a day
- Smoking within 5 minutes of waking up in morning or from a nap
- Continuing to smoke even when sick
- Waking up at night to have a smoke
- Smoking to help with symptoms of nicotine withdrawal
If you have even a couple of these signs of smoking dependence enlisting the aid of an addiction psychiatrist is thebest plan for success in smoking cessation.
Prescription Medications to Stop Smoking
Your psychiatrist has numerous medications available to prescribe and can provide referrals to support and adjunct services when developing your treatment plan to stop smoking, end nicotine addiction, and reduce any unpleasant withdrawal symptoms.
The medications that may be prescribed include:
- Chantix (varenicline) – this medication not only lessens the pleasure one gets from smoking by interfering with nicotine receptors in the brain; it also reduces the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal. Chantix helps you lose your craving for smoking and nicotine.
- Zyban, Wellbutrin or Aplenzin (bupropion) – the medication bupropion is known under three different brand names. It is an extended release anti-depressant that helps reduce cravings and symptoms of nicotine withdrawal.
- Nortriptyline – this is an older anti-depressant drug that helps reduce tobacco withdrawal symptoms
- Clonidine – this medication, used to treat high blood pressure has also been shown to help people quit smoking. When used as part of a smoking cessation plan it is often given in pill or skin patch form.
- Other medications and even anti-smoking vaccines are being tested in Europe and the United States but are not yet FDA approved. Your psychiatrist has access to the most effective medications and strategies for a successful program to quit smoking with the least interference from withdrawal symptoms.
Nicotine Addiction Psychiatrist
If you want to successfully quit smoking call Dr. Hege for a convenient evening or weekend appointment and begin a new life as an ex-smoker.