by Lucinda Davis

Created on: November 10, 2009

The cost of smoking is rising rapidly and if that's not enough to get you stop smoking, then think about your health and the health of those around you. I realize that it's an addiction that is difficult to change. In fact nicotine is the most addictive drug that is out there. Sometimes our enviroment, health, or finances force us to change habits.

I was married to a smoker and everytime he would attempt to quit he would become very aggitated and difficult to live with. He would normally smoke a couple of packs a day. It was very hard to support him in his attempts to quit smoking when I would have to deal with his anger.

The good news is that it is possible for you to quit smoking and break free from that addiction. It won't be a matter of throwing away your cigarettes and trying to quit cold turkey. That is the worst method to try to quit smoking. It doesn't work for 98% of the people who attempt it.

Sure you may quit for a month but a year seems to be the max on quitting cold turkey. Most people relapse and end up smoking again. Your nicotine dependence is a chronic medical disease but you can be treated and you can quit.

Some people find hypnotherapy to work for them. I knew a lady that swore by it. She went to one of those big one day seminars and said it worked instantly for her. To get the best results you should see a physcian that specializes in smoking cessation.

The most effective treatment seems to be medication such as patches, inhalers, gum, or lozenges to replace the nicotine. This in combination with counseling will give you the best results. Get a good support system for yourself. This means if your spouse or family doesn't support you then get into a group that will.

If you choose the patch or gum then you can increase your chances of quitting if you also exercise. It improves your overall odds. Chantix also called varenicline reduces your cravings for nicotine.

Try to keep in mind all of the positives that this change will bring. Think of all of the money you will save. You will improve your health significantly. Just after three months of quitting you will improve your lung function. You decrease the risk for having a heart attack. You reduce your risk of cancer.

If you need help to stop smoking visit smokefree.gov

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