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GraceAbounds -> RE: Exodus club...Wagons Ho!!! (12/31/2006 3:51:24 PM)
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You can read more on : http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/news/QuitSmoking.htm#1
quote:
You Can Quit Smoking
Make 2007 the year you or someone close to you quits smoking.
Smoking harms nearly every organ of the body, causing many diseases and reducing the health of smokers in general. Quitting smoking has immediate as well as long-term benefits for you and your loved ones.
You CAN quit smoking. The following information may be helpful to your efforts.
If you’re looking to quit, we encourage you to contact 1–800–QUIT–NOW or www.smokefree.gov for additional support.
You’re Not Alone | Benefits of Quitting | Nicotine Addiction |
Double Your Chances | Five Keys for Quitting | Special Situations | Questions to Think About
Quit Resources
The following pages provide links on how to quit:
• www.Smokefree.gov Offers free materials, information, and support that have been effective in helping smokers quit.
• How to quit
• Tobacco Cessation – You can quit smoking now! The latest drugs and counseling techniques for treating tobacco use and dependence.
• Questions and Answers About Quitting Smoking –National Cancer Institute
You’re Not Alone
* In 2005, 45.1 million adults (20.9 percent) in the United States were current smokers—23.9 percent of men and 18.1 percent of women. An estimated 70 percent of these smokers said they wanted to quit.
* An estimated 19.2 million (42.5 percent) adult everyday smokers in 2005 had stopped smoking for at least 1 day during the preceding 12 months because they were trying to quit.
For more information:
Tobacco Use Among Adults — United States, 2005
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Benefits of Quitting
* People who stop smoking greatly reduce their risk of dying prematurely. Benefits are greater for people who stop at earlier ages, but cessation is beneficial at all ages.
* Smoking cessation lowers the risk for lung and other types of cancer. The risk for developing cancer declines with the number of years of abstinence from smoking.
* Risk for coronary heart disease, stroke, and peripheral vascular disease is reduced after smoking cessation. Coronary heart disease risk is substantially reduced within 1 to 2 years of cessation.
* Cessation reduces respiratory symptoms, such as coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. The rate of decline in lung function is slower among persons who quit smoking.
* Women who stop smoking before or during pregnancy reduce their risk for adverse reproductive outcomes such as infertility or having a low-birth-weight baby.
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Nicotine Addiction
* Most smokers are dependent on nicotine. Smokeless tobacco use can also lead to nicotine dependence.
* Nicotine dependence is the most common form of chemical dependence in the United States.
* Research suggests that nicotine is as addictive as heroin, cocaine, or alcohol.
* Examples of nicotine withdrawal symptoms include irritability, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, insomnia, restlessness, and increased appetite.
* Quitting tobacco use is difficult and may require multiple attempts.
* FDA-approved medications that can reduce the withdrawal symptoms that may occur with a quit attempt are available.
* For more information regarding FDA-approved medications, call 1-800-QUIT-NOW or speak with your health care provider.
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Using Proven Treatments Can Double Your Chance of Success
* Nicotine is a very addictive drug, and usually people make several tries before they successfully quit.
* Each time you try to quit, you can learn what works for you and what situations are problematic.
* Using proven cessation treatments, such as FDA-approved medications and/or individual, group or phone counseling, can double your chance of success.
* For more information call 1-800-QUIT-NOW or visit www.smokefree.gov.
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Five Keys for Quitting Smoking
Studies have shown that these five steps will help you quit and quit for good. You have the best chances of quitting if you use them together.
1. Get Ready.
2. Get Support.
3. Learn new skills and behaviors.
4. Get medication and use it correctly.
5. Be prepared for relapse or difficult situations.
1. Get Ready
* Set a quit date.
* Change your environment.
1. Get rid of ALL cigarettes and ashtrays in your home, car, and place of work.
2. Don't let people smoke around you.
* Review your past attempts to quit. Think about what worked and what did not.
* Develop a plan to deal with cravings, withdrawal symptoms, and times when you usually smoke a cigarette.
* Once you quit, don't smoke—NOT EVEN A PUFF!
2. Get Support and Encouragement.
Studies have shown that you have a better chance of being successful if you have help. You can get support in many ways:
* Tell your family, friends, and co-workers that you are going to quit and want their support. Ask them not to smoke around you or leave cigarettes out where you can see them.
* Talk to your health care provider (e.g., doctor, dentist, nurse, pharmacist, psychologist, or smoking cessation coach or counselor).
* Get individual, group, or telephone counseling. Counseling doubles your chances of success.
* The more help you have, the better your chances are of quitting. Free programs are available at local hospitals and health centers. Call your local health department for information about programs in your area.
* Telephone counseling is available at 1–800–QUIT–NOW.
3. Learn New Skills and Behaviors.
* Try to distract yourself from urges to smoke. Talk to someone, go for a walk, or get busy with a task.
* When you first try to quit, change your routine. Use a different route to work. Drink tea instead of coffee. Eat breakfast in a different place.
* Do something to reduce your stress. Take a hot bath, exercise, or read a book.
* Plan something enjoyable to do every day.
* Drink a lot of water and other fluids.
4. Get Medication and Use It Correctly.
Medications can help you stop smoking and lessen the urge to smoke.
* The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved seven medications to help you quit smoking:
1. Bupropion SR—Available by prescription.
2. Nicotine gum—Available over–the–counter.
3. Nicotine inhaler—Available by prescription.
4. Nicotine nasal spray—Available by prescription.
5. Nicotine patch—Available by prescription and over-the-counter.
6. Nicotine lozenge—Available over–the–counter.
7. Varenicline tartrate—Available by prescription.
* Ask your health care provider for advice and carefully read the information on the package.
* All of these medications will at least double your chances of quitting and quitting for good.
* Nearly everyone who is trying to quit can benefit from using a medication. However, if you are pregnant or trying to become pregnant, nursing, under age 18, smoking fewer than 10 cigarettes per day, or have a medical condition, talk to your doctor or other health care provider before taking medications.
* For information on FDA-approved medications, call 1-800-QUIT-NOW. To find out more about prescriptions, contact your health care provider.
5. Be Prepared for Relapse or Difficult Situations.
Most relapses occur within the first three months after quitting. Don't be discouraged if you start smoking again. Remember, most people try several times before they finally quit. The following are some difficult situations you may encounter:
* Alcohol. Avoid drinking alcohol. Drinking lowers your chances of success.
* Other Smokers. Being around smoking can make you want to smoke.
* Weight Gain. Many smokers will gain some weight when they quit, usually less than 10 pounds. Eat a healthy diet and stay active. Don't let weight gain distract you from your main goal—quitting smoking. Some quit-smoking medications may help delay weight gain.
* Bad Mood or Depression. There are a lot of ways to improve your mood other than smoking. Some quit-smoking medications also lessen depression.
You can do this guys. You really can! On the 12th of Jan I will be 8 months smoke free. It may be difficult in the beginning, but things that are usually worth having take some effort, self discipline and patience on our part. And I am here to tell you that the effort you put forth and any pain you experience will be worth it, soooooooooooo worth it.
I totally love being a non-smoker. If there is one thing I could go back and do regarding my quit ... it would have been to quit sooner than I did.
You can do this guys!
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