Strengthen resolve to quit smoking ·
Traditional and alternative therapies offer support during life-changing process
By Seth D. Torregiani, D.O.
Originally published online Tuesday, January 9, 2007 at:
http://delawareonline.com/
All Rights Reserved.
A recent WNBC/Marist College poll found that quitting smoking was the second most popular New Year's resolution for 2007, just behind losing weight and tying with becoming a better person.
All three are noble goals. But the one that will affect your health -- and the health of those around you -- most quickly is quitting smoking.
Yet for most smokers, kicking the habit is one of the most difficult things they'll ever do. Nicotine is highly addictive, on par with drugs such as heroin or cocaine in its habit-forming potential. Furthermore, smoking may satisfy certain physical or psychological needs that can make the habit harder to quit.
Data suggest that only 5 percent of those who try to quit cold turkey, without any help, will be successful over the long term.
What, then, is the best approach? And what about alternative approaches such as acupuncture and hypnosis?
Conventional approaches to quitting include drug therapy and counseling. Nicotine replacement therapy -- such as nicotine gum, nicotine patches or a nicotine inhaler -- decrease a person's craving for cigarettes by delivering nicotine without the harmful side effects of tobacco smoke. Certain antidepressants, particularly Wellbutrin and Zyban, also can be used for tobacco cessation and are believed to help alleviate the psychological underpinnings (depression, mood problems) of tobacco addiction.
A counselor advises smokers about the health risks of smoking, offers an additional source of support and provides third-party accountability to help keep those who want to quit on track. A pharmacist, nurse, physician, psychologist or other trained specialist may provide tobacco cessation counseling.
Studies suggest that all of the above work to varying degrees for some people. The best conventional approach seems to be drug therapy combined with counseling by a professional.
Some smokers, however, while acknowledging the need to quit, aren't receptive to conventional approaches. Some don't tolerate the drugs used in tobacco cessation or don't wish to take yet another medication. Others haven't been successful using a conventional approach. Still others are drawn to more "natural" approaches to quitting smoking.
Two of the more popular alternative approaches are acupuncture and hypnosis.
Acupuncture for smoking cessation involves insertion of single-use, sterilized needles at various points on the body and, often, the ear. The needles are very thin and are generally not painful, or are minimally so. A typical course of treatment lasts 10 to 12 sessions, with treatment taken once or twice a week. Acupuncture usually isn't covered by insurance.
While some individual studies have shown that acupuncture can help patients stop smoking, the research as a whole does not. However, this may be due to the poor quality of the studies that have been reviewed and the approaches used.
A similar conclusion can be drawn from studies done on hypnosis for tobacco cessation. Popularly thought of as a sort of mental control or manipulation, hypnosis helps a person enter a state of very deep relaxation. Once in this state, a person may be more open to positive suggestions and may be able to reduce anxiety and nicotine cravings. A course of hypnosis treatment may last three to 10 sessions, usually weekly.
In short, the most studied path to quitting smoking is a combination of drug therapy with counseling. For people who don't wish to go that route or who haven't had success with it, alternative therapies remain a reasonable option. Anecdotally (and in my clinical experience), smokers have had success with these therapies.
When it comes to quitting, however, the most important thing is to find what works for you, gather support around you and go for it. You can start by contacting the Delaware Quit Line toll-free at (866) 409-1858.
Originally published online Tuesday, January 9, 2007 at:
http://delawareonline.com/
All Rights Reserved.