If you have decided to quit smoking, you may know firsthand how difficult those first few days and weeks without a cigarette can be. The symptoms are not all in your head. Nicotine, one of the chemicals found in cigarettes is a highly addictive substance – in fact, it can be just as addictive as cocaine. For this reason, when you stop smoking, the physical symptoms of withdrawal can be overwhelming at times. There are also mental and emotional challenges to quitting this habit. When you consider the many factors that are working against you in your quest to kick the smoking habit, it is easy to see why such a high number of folks return to the cigarettes within a week after quitting. The good news is that there are ways to stop smoking today that will greatly reduce those symptoms and cravings, giving you a much higher chance of success.

Be Prepared

Before you decide to flush that last pack of cigarettes, it is a good idea to prepare yourself for what is to come. One of the most effective ways to stop smoking is to have a plan of action in effect that will offer you alternative and coping mechanisms when the going gets tough (and it will!). First, get ready for this endeavor by setting a quitting date; changing your environment to get rid of not only the cigarettes but the smoking paraphernalia and other smokers as well; and review why past attempts to quit haven’t worked so that you can start fresh with this effort. By putting in the time and effort to properly prepare for your attempt this time, you will go far in increasing your odds of success.

Your Doctor can Offer Additional Ways to Stop Smoking

It is also important to arm yourself with plenty of support, since a good support system is another effective way to stop smoking. This can include friends and family who want to see you quit, as well as a formal support group. Don’t forget to add your doctor to this list, since he can offer additional ways to stop smoking, like using some sort of aid for the early days when the withdrawal symptoms will be the worst. This can include a nicotine patch, gum, inhaler or other type of medication that will help to reduce withdrawal symptoms and curb cravings. If you want to quit the cigarette habit, there are many ways to stop smoking available to you. Talk to your doctor about which methods will be most effective in helping you to achieve success with this most important endeavor.