|
What
are some different methods for quitting smoking?
There are methods for quitting smoking that deal with
the physiological
aspects of smoking, such as nicotine patches and gums. There are
also methods that deal with the psychological aspects of smoking
such as hypnotism and psychotherapy.
How
does acupuncture differ from other methods?
Acupuncture for quitting smoking is a combination of physical and
psychological treatment. First, it helps control the anxiety and
mental stress people experience when they stop smoking. Second,
acupuncture works to control the physical addiction to nicotine.
How
does acupuncture control cravings?
Certain points are stimulated during the treatment,
releasing chemicals
into the body that are similar to nicotine, thereby
decreasing the
desire to smoke and controlling the physical addiction naturally.
How
successful is this treatment?
Acupuncture for quitting smoking is 80-85% successful, a higher
rate of success than with nicotine patches. It is also
natural and
less expensive than nicotine-patch therapy.
When
should I try this treatment?
You should use this treatment to quit smoking only if
you feel you
are physically and mentally ready to quit. If you still
enjoy smoking,
or if you feel outside pressure to quit, the treatment
is less likely
to be successful. Also, don't attempt to quit during an
overly stressful
time in your life because trying to quit during such times will
only add to your stress.
What
do I need to do?
If you want to quit smoking, you must want to quit.
This treatment
depends on teamwork between doctor and patient. You
must be willing
to change daily habits to avoid smoking, and the doctor must work
to help you control the addiction. You should try to remember to
keep three things busy while quitting smoking: the
mind, the mouth,
and the hands. You need to rearrange your daily
schedule to occupy
time usually used for smoking, especially the early morning and
late afternoon.
How
long will it take?
Two to four treatments are usually required. Most
people quit smoking
after the first treatment and need only one more
treatment to stabilize
the result. People with a longer history of smoking and
a stronger
addiction may not quit after the first treatment, but
only cut back.
They may require two or three additional treatments. If patients
have not quit smoking after four treatments, this type
of treatment
may not be suitable, and they should look for another
way to quit.
Are
there any side-effects?
People who continue to smoke after the first treatment
may experience
such symptoms as headaches, cough, dizziness, and an odd taste in
the mouth. This normally stops with more treatments or when the
patient stops smoking. Overeating is a common problem associated
with quitting smoking. The patient must find the right foods to
satisfy the mouth's craving, foods that are crispy and
crunchy—but
not junk food. Raw vegetables such as carrots and
celery are usually
the best foods for this problem. If the patient tends
toward weight
gain, herbs can help control weight before this becomes
a problem.
Is
this a permanent solution?
Normally, yes. However, some people begin to crave
cigarettes again
after about three months of not smoking. One or two
additional treatments
often work to eliminate the craving.
|
