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Using Nicotine Replacement Therapy to Quit Smoking |
By Carlos Scarpero
 Many people trying to quit smoking have relied on Nicotine Replacement Therapy. Nicotine Replacement Therapy, or NRT, comes in several different forms that are designed to help a smoker quit smoking.
NRT works by providing the smokers trying to quit with a certain amount of nicotine by way of not smoking a cigarette. Most Nicotine Replacement Therapy products come in specific dosages catered to each individuals need.
For instance, if you are a pack a day smoker you will require the NRT that has the amount of nicotine equivalent, or closely similar, to that of 20 cigarettes.
Nicotine is the drug in cigarettes that causes the biggest part of your addiction. Nicotine is a habit forming drug that gives the smoker mood enhancing effects. To stop having the nicotine your body will crave the drug and the withdrawals from nicotine can be almost unbearable. With the use of NRT you will fulfill your cravings while not ingesting the unhealthy chemicals and toxins found in cigarettes. You should be careful not to become addicted to the Nicotine Replacement Therapy either. However, if you
follow the directions on the package you will learn you are supposed to gradually step down from your dose to the next step of the Nicotine Replacement Therapy process.
Nicotine Replacement Therapy comes in the form of patches, gum, or certain other not so mainstream forms. With the nicotine patch you apply the square like band aide to your skin each morning. Throughout the day the patch releases a certain amount of nicotine into the body. The smoker removes the patch in the evening. After a certain period of time the smoker will decrease his dosage to the next step of the NRT program. Eventually the smoker will no longer rely on the patches or nicotine. After the specified period of time the smoker will be weaned from using nicotine. You cannot keep smoking while wearing the patch. The patch is better suited for those who are quitting smoking cold turkey.
Nicotine gum works differently. Nicotine gum is well suited for smokers who are using the slow to quit method. In this method you cut your cigarette smoking by a specified amount, such as eliminating a third of your cigarettes each day and continuing to reduce your amounts over a period of time. With nicotine gum you chew the gum in place of smoking a cigarette. Each piece of nicotine gum releases a small amount of nicotine into the body.
Some nicotine replacement therapies have the chance of causing an adverse or allergic reaction. Check warning labels on the package. You should also speak to your doctor before starting a NRT. Your doctor can inform you if using forms of NRT will affect your prescription medications and he can also monitor your health.
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