A 32-year-old male asked:
How can i effectively stop smoking? with me it is more like "i have to quit" rather than "i want to quit". there is no motivation.
4 doctor answers • 11 doctors weighed in
Dr. Randy Bakeranswered
Holistic Medicine 42 years experience
Get motivated!: This may be impossible if you don't want to! the most important thing is a strong desire to quit. There are many strategies to help, from nicotine patches/gum & various pharmaceutical meds to acupuncture & hypnosis. Exercise & relaxation helps. For more details on ways to quit see http://altmedicine.About.Com/od/therapiesfromrtoz/a/quit_smoking.Htm & www.Shareguide.Com/smoking.Html
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5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Randy Baker commented
Holistic Medicine 42 years experience
Provided original answer
This may help with motivation:
http://whyquit.com/
Good luck!
Apr 13, 2013
Dr. Heidi Fowler commented
Psychiatry 27 years experience
Excellent response Dr. Baker. Heidi
Apr 13, 2013
Dr. Heidi Fowleranswered
Psychiatry 27 years experience
Smoking cessation: I wanted to piggyback on one of the options that dr. Baker provided. Acupuncture is exceptional for reducing tobacco cravings. Small semi-permanent needles are placed on the outter ear and are very effective.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
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Dr. Aaron Amentanswered
60 years experience
Choice.: Smoking becomes an addiction. That is at least partially a brain thing. All the helps (patch, varencycline, etc.) will help but you must Decide. It has nothing to do with want/don't want. Take a stand, use all the help you can get, but make your mind up with conviction and purpose. An absolute decision with no going back.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Aaron Ament commented
undefined 60 years experience
Provided original answer
Further: there are many aids - nicotine patches, acupuncture, etc. They will all assist if you make an absolute, iron-bound decision to stop smoking. Otherwise you will go from one magic cure to the next ad infinitum. (Don't forget the decision to never go back)
Nov 30, 2014
Dr. Dean Giannoneanswered
Internal Medicine 27 years experience
Cold turkey.: As far as quitting without any nicotine replacement, the cold turkey method is great, but plan it ahead of time. Pick a quit date in advance, maybe a meaningful date like a birthday or holiday, and gather people who are aware of your attempt that you can call upon for moral support if you start to falter. Quite frankly, if you're not motivated, though, don't get your hopes up.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated Aug 13, 2017
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