Dr. Mike’s Healthy Lifestyle Advice: How to STOP Smoking.
Filed Under: Health & Wellness
Quitting smoking is not easy, yet there are a number of tips and strategies that are helpful in breaking the addiction. that Smoking kills almost 500,000 Americans each year and bla, bla, bla, bla…we all know the facts and the statistics so I won’t bore you with them again! What you probably didn’t know is that less than 3% of smokers who try to quit fail and most who succeed tried several times. So, what are some crucial keys to success besides the common prescribed patches and therapies out there (that obviously have a huge track record of FAILURE)? Here’s my personal strategies that have helped many of my patients:
1. Don’t even bother trying to stop smoking if you are TRULY not sincere. If you want to stop because your spouse or significant other is nagging you, don’t waste your time or money. ONLY if you have SINCERE PERSONAL Reasons for quitting and need help, the suggestions below will be successful! My success rate with my patients is well over 90%, mainly because I do NOT treat people who do not have those sincere personal reasons…I just tell them I can’t help them, which is true!
2. First, develop a plan. You must set a firm date for quitting and make a strategic daily plan, including a gradual decrease in the number of cigarettes you smoke. For example, if you smoke 20 cigarettes per day set-up a plan like this:
Day 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
# of cigarettes 18 16 18 14 16 12 14
Day 8 9 10 11 12 13 14
# of cigarettes 12 10 12 8 10 6 8
Day 15 16 17 18 19 20 21
# of cigarettes 6 4 6 2 4 0 2
3. Also set a plan of action for the cravings that will hit you. This plan of action could be a substitute activity, for example: walking the dog, checking your email, taking a relaxing bath, drinking a bottle of water, chewing some gum etc. every time a craving hits you.
4. Motivate yourself by constantly reminding yourself WHY you want to stop smoking. Maybe it’s because your health is suffering and you want to avoid doctors and hospitals, maybe you want to be alive when your grandkids grow up etc. Also think about the amount of money you will save and what else you could do with this money. Over a 10-year period, a two-pack-a-day habit costs approximately $52,000. If you have a difficult time motivating yourself, join a support group. These groups only meet once a week for about 20 minutes and they may really help. To locate a support group in your local area, contact the local hospital, the American Lung Association (800-586-4872 / www.lungusa.org ), or the American Cancer Society (800-227-2345 / www.cancer.org).
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5. Involve your friends and family. Most smokers try to stop secretly because they don’t want to be embarrassed in case they fail. You should do the exact opposite! Involve your friends, family, and even your doctor and inform them on exactly what your plan is. Ask them to check-up on you regularly to see how you are doing and apologize in advance for how irritably you may be at times as you go through nicotine withdrawals.
6. Do NOT switch to ‘light’ cigarettes, studies show is does not help because people who switch to low-tar, low-nicotine brands unwittingly compensate by inhaling smoke more deeply or frequently.
7. Do NOT ask your doctor for antidepressant therapy or drugs; you could become addicted to these ‘drugs of death’. For more information on psychotropic drugs, visit www.cchr.org
8. Get HELP. I strongly suggest a good, licensed acupuncturist who is knowledgeable about the protocols for smoking cessation(ask him or her about their success rate with previous clients) and who is skilled and legally able to inject methylcobalamin (a form of vitamin B12) into acupuncture point LI20 (3 injections, once per week, of 1cc bilateral) which will make your cigarettes taste bad. This recommendation of mine lacks scientific evidence but I have used it with great success for many years! Other complementary therapies that may assist you include acupressure and hypnosis.
If you need help or have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me anytime!
Yours in Optimal Health,
Dr. Mike.
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Great ideas!
Comment by Natasha — December 29, 2009 @ 6:02 pm
I need to quit smoking, thanks for the advice!
Comment by Kahlo — December 29, 2009 @ 6:02 pm