To quit smoking can be one of the most difficult things to do. Many people struggle with their addiction to cigarettes and do not have the will power to quit “cold turkey”. There are many remedies available, but how do you know which ones work the best? A new study out put various methods to the test.
New research examining five treatments finds that the nicotine patch plus a nicotine lozenge does the trick.
The study, appearing in the November issue of the Archives of General Psychiatry, enrolled 1,504 adult smokers — all of whom were motivated to quit — to try one of six smoking cessation methods: nicotine lozenge alone, nicotine patch alone, bupropion (the drug Wellbutrin) alone, patch and nicotine lozenge, bupropion and nicotine lozenge or lastly, a placebo.
In addition to taking the specified treatment for eight to 12 weeks after quitting, participants got six one-on-one counseling sessions. People were evaluated after one week, eight weeks and six months after quitting. Nicotine patch plus a lozenge had the strongest support in helping folks take the first steps to quit, researchers found. These participants were more likely to have quit after seven days, and although some relapsed, they had longer periods between quitting and relapse than people in the other groups.
Previous studies have found the patch works well with other nicotine replacement methods from gum to nasal sprays, the authors said. Researchers think the key to making that first successful attempt to quit is using a patch with some other form of treatment.
So isn’t about time you looked after your health and quit smoking? Many people need help in their quest to quit smoking. Speak to your doctor about which method of smoking cessation can be step in the right direction. Your life depends on it.