Cravings for tobacco may be exhausting, especially when attempting to stop. Here are some strategies to help you control your appetite and fight cravings.
Try Nicotine Replacement Therapy
Discuss nicotine replacement treatment with your doctor. The available choices are:
- Nasal sprays and inhalers containing nicotine under medical supervision
- You may purchase nicotine replacement therapies like patches, gum, and lozenges without a doctor’s prescription.
- Non-nicotine prescription cessation aids include bupropion (Wellbutrin SR, Wellbutrin XL, and others) and varenicline.
Nicotine gum, lozenges, nasal sprays, and inhalers are all short-acting nicotine replacement treatments that may help you beat your cravings. When combined with long-acting nicotine patches or one of the non-nicotine stop-smoking medications, these shorter-acting treatments are often safe to use.
Recently, there has been a great deal of curiosity about using electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) as an alternative to tobacco cigarettes. E-cigarettes, however, are not either safer or more successful than nicotine replacement drugs in assisting smokers in quitting.
Avoid Triggers
Don’t put yourself in a position to start smoking again. You may have the highest cigarette cravings in the settings where you previously indulged in tobacco use, such as during social gatherings, when experiencing stress, or while drinking coffee.
Recognize what causes you to want to smoke, and make preparations to deal with such situations healthily. To help you avoid the temptation to light up while on the phone, have a pen and paper on hand.
RELATED: 5 Tips For Coping With Nicotine Withdrawal Symptoms
Delay
Tell yourself you have to wait 10 more minutes before you can give in to your cigarette need. You should use that time to engage in a productive diversion.
Attempt to visit a smoke-free public area. You may be able to get over your need for tobacco with the help of these easy strategies.
Chew On It
Avoid giving in to your cigarette cravings by keeping your lips occupied. Enjoy some sugar-free gum or hard candy. Or, if you’re craving something crisp and flavorful, try some raw carrots, almonds, or sunflower seeds.
Don’t Have ‘Just One’
To fulfill a demand for tobacco, you may be tempted to smoke only one cigarette. Having one tends to
