Whether you are thinking about quitting or have decided to quit smoking, it is important to understand how to deal with nicotine withdrawal. You can do several things to help alleviate nicotine cravings, including taking medications that help control cravings. You can also change your daily routine to include more non-smoking activities and avoid stressful situations.
Common medications to help manage cravings
Medications are available to help with cravings when you are quitting nicotine. They can also help reduce the intensity of withdrawal symptoms. In addition, they are not habit-forming and are available in prescription and over-the-counter forms.
Several behavioral treatments can help you manage your cravings. These include counseling, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and motivational interviewing. If you are having trouble quitting, talk to your doctor about a medication or a program that can help you.
You may be able to get a prescription for bupropion (Zyban), a drug that helps reduce cravings. This medicine works differently in the brain, which can help reduce the urge to smoke. It is also available in patches or gums. It can reduce cravings for tobacco, but it does not contain nicotine.
Change your routine around drinking coffee or tea:
Changing your routine around drinking coffee or tea to deal with nicotine withdrawal is a good idea. Aside from the obvious change of scenery, you can also try many other tricks to combat nicotine cravings.
The best part is that you can implement these strategies without much fuss. For example, you can make it a point to drink a different drink daily or replace your cigarette with a dangling stick of gum. It also pays to find a support group or join a virtual support group. These can help you stick with your quit-smoking plan and avoid nicotine withdrawal blunders.
While it is not possible to eliminate your cravings, you can learn to manage them by drinking more water and doing other healthful activities. In addition to flushing out nicotine toxins, drinking more water can also help you feel better overall.
Avoid stressful situations:
Whether you’re planning to become a nonsmoker or you’ve already quit, you will have to find healthier ways to deal with stress. The good news is that there are many ways to go about it. One of the best things to do is to seek a trained counselor’s help. Another useful tip is to seek out a group of supportive friends and family members. This can make the whole experience more bearable.
