Nicotine addiction and withdrawal

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Tobacco health risks

Withdrawal from nicotine; Smoking - nicotine addiction and withdrawal; Smokeless tobacco - nicotine addiction; Cigar smoking; Pipe smoking; Smokeless snuff; Tobacco use; Chewing tobacco

There are several strategies for treating nicotine withdrawal.

Nicotine supplements can help. All of them work well, if used properly. See: Nicotine replacement therapy

Nicotine supplements come in several forms:

• Gum
• Inhalers
• Nasal spray
• Skin patch

Nonhabit forming prescription medications may help you quit smoking and keep you from starting again. See: Smoking cessation medications

Such medicines include:

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• Bupropion (Wellbutrin, Zyban)
• Varenicline (Chantix)
• Other medications, including clonidine, antidepressants such as nortriptyline or fluoxetine (Prozac), and buspirone (Buspar) have shown some benefits, but are not FDA-approved for smoking cessation

Like any addiction, quitting tobacco is difficult, especially if you are acting alone. If you join a smoking cessation program, you have a much better chance of success. See: Stop smoking support programs

• Smoking cessation programs are offered by hospitals, health departments, community centers, and work sites.
• The best quit-smoking programs combine many strategies to help keep you from starting smoking again. Counseling by telephone can be as helpful and as effective as face-to-face counseling.

Untreated depression can prevent you from quitting tobacco. A screening test for depression may help ensure proper treatment and increase the odds that you will stay off tobacco products.

People who are trying to quit smoking often become discouraged when they don't succeed at first. Research shows that the more times you try, the more likely you are to succeed -- so don't give up! If you aren't successful the first time you try to quit, look at what worked or didn't work, think of new ways to quit smoking, and try again. Many attempts are often necessary to finally "beat the habit." See: Smoking - tips on how to quit