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thing about the nasal spray is that, it may
transfer addiction from nicotine to the
addiction of the nasal spray. Nicotine In-
halers also offer an alternative to nicotine
addiction. This is yet another prescription
drug that gives off a small puff of nicotine
to the user. It is the easiest and the most
expensive way to get over your addiction.
Choosing the rigth NRT
It is known that smokers take a long
time to quit. Many smokers make several
attempts before finally succeeding, how-
ever it is the first step that makes all the
difference. Nicotine is not only harmful
but highly addictive due to the binding of
nicotine to receptors in the brain which
results in a pleasant sensation caused by
the release of dopamine. This makes the
act of smoking enjoyable and sometimes
rewarding. Nicotine also acts as a pleasure
amplifier making mildly pleasurable
stimuli appear even more appealing. The
hardest thing to do is to quit cold turkey,
but it is also the most successful way.
Though there are no direct relations to
the type of nicotine replacement therapy
to the success rate of quitting, each user
has his own preferred means. One should
always take into account one’s lifestyle
before deciding on a method. Choose
a method that would ease into your
life. Studies have also shown that using
two types of methods help speed up the
process.
According to KPJ Healthcare, there
are also various other methods such as
hypnotherapy that can help. Including the
use of herbal products and in some cases
even acupuncture. However because
these processes do not include the use of
nicotine, there is no real study to prove
their effectiveness.
Whichever method you choose, just
remember to follow the recommended
dosage. So, go and seek help for your
addiction. KPJ Healthcare is very aware
of this epidemic and is doing the best
it can to wean the younger generation
off this habit. With its numerous health
organisations, KPJ Healthcare keeps its
doors open to all those who are looking
for more information or help on this
matter.
FireFlyz | 33
absolutely no safe level of exposure when
it comes to tobacco smoke. In adults, this
causes serious cardiovascular and respira-
tory diseases. One can only shudder at the
thought of how it affects children. In 2004,
children accounted for 28% of deaths
associated with secondhand smoking.
Everyone has the right to a smoke-free air,
as the say, “ If I don’t spit in your food,
you should not smoke in my air” — so,
don’t be afraid to speak up! One should
be more aware of one’s surroundings as
it plays a pivotal role in our health. Think
about it, the fundamental aspect to a
healthy life is clean air. Don’t you owe it
to yourself to stop breathing in tobacco
tainted oxygen?
So now that you’ve had some time
to ponder — how do you quit? At some
point, every smoker has tried to put out
the butt. One of the big kickers in trying
to quit smoking apart from the nicotine
addiction is resisting social cues. As
a smoker, subtle environmental cues
prompt one to light up a stick. This
could be a breeze wafting with the scent
of tobacco, a friend who has just lit up
a cigarette or even as a means of escape
from an unpleasant situation. As each
day comes, smokers start forming beliefs
about their smoking habits. Such as, “I
am happy and should then reward myself
with a cigarette” or “I amupset and I need
a smoke to calmdown”. The first step is to
stop making excuses. Self-control is what
puts us at the top of the food chain, so live
up to your nature! Simply put, to curb this
devilish habit, self-control is what it takes.
Nicotine Replacement Therapy
(NRT)
KPJ Healthcare has highlighted the use
of Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT).
So, you still get your dose of nicotine
but through other ways than tobacco
consumption. This in turn slowly stops
smokers from continuing their habit
through time. The process mitigates the
craving for nicotine. This process is more
for the hardcore smokers who smoke up
to 15 sticks a day. A common practice
is the use of nicotine patches, slowly
decreasing dosages and thus eradicating
the need for nicotine at all. Another
tip to help, is the use of nicotine gum.
You can get it at any pharmacy over the
counter and is especially good for those
with sensitive skin. Similar to gum, you
have the lozenges with two dosages of
2mg and 4mg.
Nicotine nasal spray can also help
with the addiction. The spray delivers
nicotine straight into the bloodstream but
requires a doctor’s prescription. But one