Why Use Nicotine To Quit Nicotine?

[Dr_Hurt]

People often ask why they should use nicotine replacement to quit smoking?  They want to quit nicotine, right?

It’s a good question, and the answer is important to understand when trying to stop smoking. 

Nicotine, although it is the addictive substance in tobacco, is not the harmful substance.  Rather, what is harmful are all the other components in tobacco and tobacco smoke.  The 60 or more known carcinogens in tobacco and tobacco smoke are the culprits - not nicotine.

When smoking, you get a quick boost of nicotine delivered to the brain in 7-10 seconds.  Your brain gets pretty used to this “jolt” – when you consider how often you take a drag on a cigarette in just one day. 

However, when stopping smoking, and using nicotine replacement products (nicotine patch, nicotine gum, nicotine lozenge, nicotine inhaler, or nicotine nasal spray), you are still getting nicotine; but in much smaller amounts.  Nicotine replacement medications do not deliver nicotine as rapidly or effectively as a cigarette, but they do lessen craving and alleviate withdrawal symptoms. 

Many people are also not aware that they can use two or more of the nicotine replacement products at a time.  In fact, it is suggested that you use a longer acting medication such as the nicotine patch, or a non-nicotine medication (bupropion or varenicline), which will cover most of your cravings and urges, and a short-acting nicotine replacement such as the nicotine gum, lozenge, nasal spray, or inhaler) for cravings, or trigger times.  The goal is to help you stay away from tobacco.  Nicotine replacement can help you get there.  So think about using some of these medications and make 2011 your year to quit!

[laurie37]

Thank-you Dr. Hurt for this blog. I quit with an NRT and I feel like I have to defend other people's use of it often. Although that seems to be changing lately.:)

Thanks for all you do!

[Chuck-2-20-2011]

 Since my quit date is in two days, this blog helped me to understand how NRT's actually work. As I understand it, when one usesd just the patch, it delivers a steady dose of nicotine into the body, rather them the peaks and valleys that come with smoking a cigarette. It helps to control the urges in order to understand how to live life without cigarettes. I do intend to use a patch when I quit.

 It's like quitting with training wheels. I believe that once I understand how to live a life without cigarettes then the rest is relativly easy. All that is needed is the desire to be smoke free. I see it as a way to train the mind. A way to show one's self that yes, you can enjoy life without the constant intake. It gives us a chance to see the world a little differently.

Thanks for the blog!

[kelly125]

I think that using a NRT is a really good way to quit. It makes quitting a bit easier and for some people (like myself) it isn't just the nicotine that is addicting. It is the habit of having a cigarette in your hand or mouth, and the feeling you get when you inhale. So if you are someone who has been smoking for years, using an NRT for a month or so won't be hard to break.

[dixiechick]

I second Laurie! Great and informative blog. 🙂

N.O.P.E.

Dixie