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If you’re a smoker who’s tried to quit smoking and failed, you’re not alone. Now more than ever, there are great smoking cessation options available in your fight against nicotine addiction.

Tobacco use can lead to a whole host of health problems. Nicotine is said to be similar to heroin in its ability to keep people coming back. It takes the average smoker six tries to kick the habit. Let your next attempt be your last. Your doctor, your government and indeed, your pharmacist, have your back in the fight to quit tobacco forever. With the guidance your pharmacist can provide, you will find that one thing, or that combination of things that will have you smoke-free in no time.

Nicotine Replacement

Once you decide to quit smoking, nicotine withdrawal will begin almost immediately and last for 2-4 four weeks. Symptoms can include, increased hunger, trouble concentrating, irritability and anxiety.  It’s these symptoms that keep people smoking. Many smoking cessation plans will include nicotine replacement products, to help decrease these side effects. Gum, inhalers, lozenges, nasal spray and patches have proven to be effective in helping people quit. Which nicotine replacement is best for you, will depend on how much you smoke.

Prescription Medication

Many people will opt for pharmaceutical support to quit smoking.  Both bupropion SR (Zyban) and varenicline tartrate (Chantix) have been successfully used as smoking cessation options. These prescription medications are generally prescribed for 3- 5 months. It is recommended that patients choose a quit date into their second week of treatment so that the drug has time to help offset any withdrawal symptoms. Though these medications are not cheap, when paired with counselling and willpower, can be effective in creating non-smokers.  You will also help you save thousands of dollars in cigarette purchases that you will no longer be buying.

Counselling

Counselling can be a very effective method of smoking cessation. Whether it’s one-on-one with a pharmacist, or over the phone with the provincial quit line, counselling has been shown to bring long term results, especially when paired with other smoking cessation methods. When you’ve decided to quit smoking, individual counselling or group counselling may be something that helps you to quit and stay smoke free. There’s even an app for that. That’s right, you can receive counselling through your mobile device. All these options can help you to form a personalized smoking cessation program just for you.

Alternatives to Quit Smoking

Not every method to quit smoking is effective for everyone, as such alternative or complimentary smoking cessation programs can include mediation, hypnosis, acupuncture and acupressure. While some find relief from withdrawal symptoms, it is undetermined whether or not these forms of smoking cessation have much effectiveness when it comes to quitting for good.

A visit to your local pharmacy, like Brant Arts in Burlington, will help you to start the process of becoming a non-smoker. Smoking cessation is just one of your pharmacist’s specialties and they can help to examine all of your options. Your first four weeks as a non-smoker, will be the toughest. After that, most of the withdrawal symptoms should disappear. Stay focused and stay positive. Today is always a great day to quit.