Take charge: A guide to quitting nicotine with nicotine replacement therapy (NRT)
Take control of your journey to a nicotine-free life with the empowering benefits of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). From patches to gum and lozenges, learn how NRT can support your decision to quit nicotine to keep you feeling empowered and in charge.
If you’re reading this, it means you’ve taken the first step toward a healthier, nicotine-free life. Quitting can be daunting, but you’re not alone on this journey. Whether you’ve tried to quit before or this is your first attempt, this post serves to guide and encourage you through the process and shed some light on a powerful tool that can help: nicotine replacement therapy (NRT).
First, what is NRT? NRT products provide your body with a controlled amount of nicotine, in various forms from patches to lozenges. Research shows that using NRT can triple your chances of successfully quitting for good. The best part is you can get it for free through Way to Quit.
Diving into something new can be overwhelming, but using NRT is simpler than you might think. Let’s break it down:
What does NRT do?
NRT comes in various forms to suit your preferences. Whether you prefer patches, gum, or lozenges, there’s an option for everyone. NRT works to provide a steady dose of nicotine to help alleviate withdrawal symptoms without the harmful chemicals found in cigarettes and makes it easier for you to kick the habit.
Check out this link for more detailed information on the different types of NRT available and how they can support you on your quitting journey.
How do I use NRT?
It’s easy to use NRT. Most people use it for at least a couple of weeks to help manage cravings and withdrawal symptoms. If you opt for gum or lozenges, simply follow the recommended dosage instructions, typically one every one to two 1-2 hours. Place the gum or lozenge on the inside of your cheek and let it dissolve slowly to release the nicotine.
Patches, on the other hand, are worn for 24 hours. Just put the patch on clean, dry skin, and let it work its magic as nicotine is gradually absorbed into your bloodstream.
Inhalers and nasal sprays are also effective forms of NRT, but they require a prescription. They provide a quick nicotine hit and can be particularly helpful for those who miss the physical act of smoking.
How can I access NRT?
Luckily, it’s easier than ever to get your hands on NRT. Through programs like the Quitline, you can access gum and patches for free. All it takes is a quick enrollment process, which you can do in just five minutes.
Simply click on this link to get started. Fill out your information, and you’ll be on your way to receiving two weeks of NRT for free. Remember, you can reenroll every six months to continue your journey toward a nicotine-free life.
You’ve got this! Remember, quitting is a journey, and it’s okay to stumble along the way. What matters most is that you’re taking steps toward a healthier future. With the support of NRT and resources like Way to Quit, you’re well-equipped to conquer this challenge.
Get Help Quitting
If you’re ready to quit, we’re ready to help. Just pick the tools, free services or combinations you like best. They’re all proven to help you succeed. Get started today.
Take charge: A guide to quitting nicotine with nicotine replacement therapy (NRT)
Take control of your journey to a nicotine-free life with the empowering benefits of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). From patches to gum and lozenges, learn how NRT can support your decision to quit nicotine to keep you feeling empowered and in charge.
It’s an alarming reality that if you smoke, your pet smokes. Your animal companions join the harmful circle of secondhand smoke when you use nicotine, as they are exposed to toxic chemicals and particles that jeopardize their well-being. The information below provides 5 truths about nicotine’s effects on pets and offers some steps you can take to make your home a place of clean air for you and your beloved animals.
1.Smoking creates health problems for your pet.
Smoking can have health consequences not only for you, but also for your pet. Secondhand smoke contains more than 7,000 chemicals and some are extremely poisonous. In fact, dogs and cats who are owned by people who smoke face double the risk of lung cancer, along with a heightened threat of heart disease, other cancers, and respiratory difficulties.
2. Vaping also causes health issues for animals.
Inhaling vape fumes causes respiratory problems for animals that could potentially lead to cancers. Just the aerosol fumes from vapes contain toxic and poisonous chemicals, and the e-liquid cartridges are even more dangerous. If e-liquid is ingested it can cause serious damage to your pet’s organs and require immediate veterinarian contact.
3. Health problems for your pet don’t just stop at the smoke.
Directly inhaling smoke is not the only danger for pets. Even when you’re not actively puffing, toxic particles cling to surfaces, carpets, and your pet. It’s an invisible film of poison that your pet ingests every time they lick their fur, preen their feathers, or snuggle on the couch.
4. Because of thirdhand smoke, smoking away from your pets is potentially dangerous too.
Even if you smoke outside and away from your pets, smoke particles don’t just dissipate in the air, but settle on your clothing and skin. When your pet comes in contact with you after you smoke, they are at risk. Which means, even a loving lick or playful cuddle can lead your pet to ingesting toxic particles.
5. No pet is safe from the dangers of smoking.
It’s not just our larger pets who suffer under the shroud of secondhand smoke. Research shows the toxins for nicotine products reach even the smallest creatures. Guinea pigs and rabbits can develop respiratory problems and even our aquatic friends like fish aren’t safe. Tiny toxic particles can find their way into tanks and poison gills and membranes.
Protect your animal friends. You hold the key to your pet’s clean air and health. While you may have the choice to use nicotine, your pet doesn’t. Choosing to quit nicotine products will make both you and your pets healthier. We know quitting isn’t easy, so Way to Quit offers free resources to provide extra support to help make your journey a little easier.
Get Help Quitting
If you’re ready to quit, we’re ready to help. Just pick the tools, free services or combinations you like best. They’re all proven to help you succeed. Get started today.
A new year brings new possibilities for a healthier, smokefree life. Quitting gives your body a second chance at life, no matter how long you have been smoking. It’s never too late. Find out more at the CDC in this article which details how your body can heal itself after quitting.
Take charge: A guide to quitting nicotine with nicotine replacement therapy (NRT)
Take control of your journey to a nicotine-free life with the empowering benefits of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). From patches to gum and lozenges, learn how NRT can support your decision to quit nicotine to keep you feeling empowered and in charge.
The word “tobacco” in this article refers to commercial tobacco created and sold by tobacco companies, not tobacco that is used spiritually and ceremonially by indigenous tribes.
We all know our personal choices have effects that extend beyond ourselves. It’s why we make the conscious decision to not check our phones when we drive or walk the dog even when we’re exhausted and would rather binge watch a good show. But, when it comes to tobacco and nicotine use, it’s easy to think it’s a choice that only impacts oneself.
Secondhand smoke, the smoke created from the burning end of a cigarette and exhaled out, poses a serious health risk to those around us. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the often-overlooked consequences of secondhand smoke exposure on our family, guests, pets, and the even lesser-known threats of thirdhand smoke. Our decision to quit smoking is not just about our own well-being, but about safeguarding the health of those we care about most.
The impact on people
Secondhand smoke is linked to respiratory illnesses like pneumonia and bronchitis, and it can have persistent adverse effects on lung function in children (1). Exposure to people who do not smoke is estimated to cause around 7,300 lung cancer deaths and 34,000 cardiovascular disease deaths annually (1). Additionally, secondhand smoke is responsible for the premature death of 41,000 adults and more than 400 infants each year (1).
Individuals who do not smoke but are exposed to secondhand smoke face a 25%-30% higher risk of cardiovascular disease and a 20%-30% higher risk of lung cancer (1). Their risk of stroke also increases by about 20%-30% (1).
The impact on pets
Our pets are also at risk from secondhand smoke. Dogs and cats that share our homes are at double the risk for developing lung cancer if we smoke (1). The smoke particles settle on their fur and skin, exposing them to the same heart disease, cancer and respiratory disease risks as with humans (2). This residue contains hazardous chemicals like nicotine, formaldehyde and cancer-causing substances. When pets lick their fur, they ingest these harmful chemicals, which puts them at risk for cancer (2).
The menace of thirdhand smoke
A hazardous residue called thirdhand smoke affects not only our pets, but also is a real danger in any home. It is often overlooked.
When you smoke tobacco, residue slowly accumulates on indoor surfaces. This residue includes nicotine and dangerous carcinogens, or cancer-causing chemicals, such as formaldehyde. Over time, it becomes a part of the environment, clinging to surfaces and is difficult to remove (3).
People who touch contaminated surfaces or inhale gases released by thirdhand smoke are exposed to its harmful chemicals (3). Even if you don’t smoke around your guests, they might still be at risk in your home. Smoke particles permeate walls, furniture, and even appliances, which turns your living space into a potential health hazard.
Choose to protect
The best way to protect others is to quit smoking. Quitting is a profound decision with positive consequences that resonate far beyond ourselves. When we quit, we break the chain of secondhand and thirdhand smoke exposure, preventing respiratory illnesses, heart diseases, cancers and other health issues from affecting those around us. If quitting seems overwhelming, there are resources available to help you succeed. Through https://waytoquit.org/, you can access free and proven quit services such as phone calls with a quit coach, nicotine replacement therapies (NRTs) like nicotine patches, lozenges, and gum, and a quit plan built just for you. These services are in place to help make your quit journey a little easier.
Quit smoking, protect lives.
Make the powerful choice to turn your home, car and shared areas into smoke-free places that everyone in your life can enjoy. You don’t have to do it alone. There are tools and support available to help you create a future without smoking, where everyone can breathe freely and live well.
If you’re ready to quit, we’re ready to help. Just pick the tools, free services or combinations you like best. They’re all proven to help you succeed. Get started today.
Take charge: A guide to quitting nicotine with nicotine replacement therapy (NRT)
Take control of your journey to a nicotine-free life with the empowering benefits of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). From patches to gum and lozenges, learn how NRT can support your decision to quit nicotine to keep you feeling empowered and in charge.
Tobacco use and its negative health effects disproportionately impact particular communities worldwide. For Latin American people, this is largely due to the tobacco industry using the cultural and sacred significance of tobacco to target people with their products.
It’s essential to understand this history, raise awareness, and provide support for individuals looking to quit nicotine. In Utah, where approximately 13% of the population identifies as Hispanic or from Latin descent, two organizations work tirelessly to support people in their tobacco cessation journey. Centro Hispano and Comunidades Unidas have extensive programs and initiatives focused on connecting community members to essential resources. Through mobile health clinics, health fairs and comprehensive tobacco prevention programs, these organizations make sure people have access to primary care providers, screenings and cessation services such as quitlines or helplines. Along with representatives from Centro Hispano and Comunidades Unidas, we’ll dive into the history of tobacco targeting, review resources available to Hispanics in Utah, and discuss why it’s so important to find a community to help with your quit journey.
Educating Early: In partnership with our local Latinos In Action, Centro Hispano educates youth on the legislative process and visit the State Capitol.
Tobacco has a history of targeting the Hispanic community.
The tobacco industry has a track record of using tactics to manipulate people and exploit their cultures. Maria Montes from Comunidades Unidas explains that the duality of tobacco’s historical significance further compounds the problem, saying, “Historically, tobacco use has been sacred among indigenous communities. Our understanding of tobacco comes from a spiritual space. But then we also engage as a multiracial community and see that tobacco is also really rooted in the enslavement of our people.” She continues, “There’s this duality that tobacco has. We both understand [tobacco] as being something that has been historically spiritual for us, and it has been at the root of a lot of the pain and injustices that our people have faced and continue to face today.”
Marketing ploys continue to be used today. Tobacco companies donate money to Hispanic/Latin American foundations, attend cultural celebrations, and establish retail locations in areas highly populated by Hispanic and Latin American people. They even market certain tobacco products as a means of assimilation into American culture. These strategies aim to profit from the community’s stress, documentation status and cultural ties.
Abraham Hernandez from Centro Hispano explains that tobacco companies target new immigrants, especially those who come from countries where tobacco use is the norm. “They target them as a way of saying ‘continue to express yourself that way.’ So, they’re targeting culture and traditions, especially when they’re talking to people who come to this country thinking ‘I have to do away with who I used to be.’”
The consequences of this targeting are concerning, with more than 43,000 Hispanics being diagnosed with tobacco-related cancer annually, leading to more than 18,000 deaths in the United States. Abraham explains that Hispanics, often composed of recent immigrants, are more susceptible to these marketing tactics as they look for mechanisms to cope with stress and maintain cultural traditions.
Informed and Empowered: Community leader, Maria (in red), talks to parents about the importance of being involved in local decision-making process and invites them to participate in CU’s house meeting.
Resources for people in Utah who are Hispanic and Latin American
To combat the tobacco industry’s influence, it is crucial that Hispanics have knowledge and resources to help them quit tobacco and nicotine products. Understanding the specific targeting strategies used by tobacco companies can help individuals make informed decisions.
“We’ve seen tobacco companies evolve over time to adjust to the ever-changing pop culture,” explains Maria. “We’ve seen tobacco companies adapt; for example, in the 1960s and 1970s, they reframed themselves as inherently part of the anti-war movement. They ingrained themselves into the fabric of what it meant to be a feminist in the 1990s.” She continues, “And similarly, they did that with our community, right? They began to target people in our community for the sale of tobacco products by setting up shop within our communities. So, we know that tobacco manufacturers and tobacco retailers are more likely to set up shop and sell their products in convenience stores and other spaces that have proximity to highly populated, multiracial communities.”
Unfortunately, Hispanics are less likely to receive advice about how to quit from health care professionals compared with their white counterparts, which underscores the need for greater awareness and access to culturally competent cessation resources in their language.
Organizations like Comunidades Unidas and Centro Hispano help provide more than just cessation efforts and resources. They recognize that addressing tobacco use involves more. They provide leadership development programs for adults and safe spaces for youth to build community, emphasizing that overcoming tobacco addiction is rooted in creating supportive environments that promote a sense of belonging and reduce stress.
Maria says of Comunidades Unidas, “[We have] conversations with community members about the history of tobacco … so people can make an informed decision about the products themselves.” She adds, “We have a leadership development program for adults called Promote the Program, where they learn about opportunities for them to lead in their community. And we challenge them to lead on the campaigns, on the issues that matter to people in their communities with the support of our organization and communities.” For the youth in their community, they created a program called Nuestras Voces, which is meant to create a safe space for youth, develop their leadership skills, and work on issues they care about.
Organizations like Centro Hispano and Comunidades Unidas play a vital role in connecting people to essential resources, fostering community engagement, and educating them about the history and consequences of tobacco. Together, we can take a stand against the tobacco industry and create healthier, smoke-free environments within the Hispanic community.
“It’s really being there in person. And that’s just how our community works. Our community is face-to-face, interpersonal, one on one,” says Abraham.
If you or someone you know is seeking support in quitting tobacco or nicotine use, reach out to Centro Hispano and Comunidades Unidas, or visit WaytoQuit.org or DejeloYa.org.
Community Building: Centro Hispano keeps traditions alive and prepares for Dia de los Reyes Magos where every child 0-12 receives a toy from the Reyes Magos (Wisemen).
Get Help Quitting
If you’re ready to quit, we’re ready to help. Just pick the tools, free services or combinations you like best. They’re all proven to help you succeed. Get started today.
Take charge: A guide to quitting nicotine with nicotine replacement therapy (NRT)
Take control of your journey to a nicotine-free life with the empowering benefits of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). From patches to gum and lozenges, learn how NRT can support your decision to quit nicotine to keep you feeling empowered and in charge.
Quitting smoking or vaping is challenging, but with the right support, you can increase your chances of success. If you’re trying to quit smoking or vaping and are uninsured, we have exciting news for you! Utah Community Health Centers offer free prescription medication to people who don’t have insurance to aid in their nicotine-free journey. In this post, we explore the valuable resources that CHCs offer and how they can help you quit tobacco for good, whether it’s your first attempt or your fifth.
What is a community health center and how can one help me quit?
This service is provided to health center patients through a partnership with the Association for Utah Community Health (AUCH). AUCH provides training, technical assistance, and resources for health centers in urban and rural communities that support essential health care services to those in need. Health centers focus on providing culturally sensitive, affordable, and effective nicotine and tobacco cessation treatment to patients. Simply put, health centers give you the right tools to help you successfully quit.
Health centers offer free tobacco cessation medications bupropion and varenicline (Chantix) to patients who don’t have insurance. These prescription medications can help reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Bupropion reduces the effects of nicotine withdrawal, while varenicline mimics some of the effects of nicotine, which reduces withdrawal symptoms and the urge to use tobacco or nicotine. The length of treatment is 12 weeks, with the possibility of extending varenicline for an additional 12 weeks. For some people, these medications can be a game-changer.
Which health centers offer this assistance?
Here are the health centers that offer free smoking and vaping cessation medication:
Bear Lake CHC, Inc.
Carbon Medical Services Association, CHC, Inc.
Enterprise Medical Clinic
Family Health Care
FourPoints Health (Richfield and Kanosh locations only)
Green River Medical Center
Midtown CHC, Inc
Mountainlands Family Health
Utah Partners for Health
Click here for clinic addresses and phone numbers.
Medication is a valuable tool, but counseling is key. Here’s why:
While medication can significantly help in your quit journey, it is important to remember that combining it with counseling or coaching further increases your odds of success. Health centers recommend using the Way to Quit program, which offers free quit coaching and nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). These invaluable resources can give you the additional support you need to keep your commitment to quit smoking or vaping. In fact, people who call coaches are two times as likely to quit long term. If you use NRT or medication, you’re three times as likely to quit for good. With so many tools available, now you can choose which method of quitting works best for you.
Quitting tobacco is a vital step to improve your health and well-being, and health centers are dedicated to helping people in Utah achieve this goal. By combining medication assistance with counseling services, such as the Way to Quit program, you can make the most of your opportunity to become nicotine-free. Take advantage of these resources and remember that you don’t have to navigate your quit journey alone. Utah’s CHCs are here to support you every step of the way.
Even if you are not eligible for free prescription medication, remember that medication can still be a helpful tool in your quit journey and is covered by most health insurance policies. Explore counseling and coaching options to receive support now. Your path to a healthier future starts now!
Get Help Quitting
If you’re ready to quit, we’re ready to help. Just pick the tools, free services or combinations you like best. They’re all proven to help you succeed. Get started today.
Take charge: A guide to quitting nicotine with nicotine replacement therapy (NRT)
Take control of your journey to a nicotine-free life with the empowering benefits of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). From patches to gum and lozenges, learn how NRT can support your decision to quit nicotine to keep you feeling empowered and in charge.
What is Way to Quit?
“I quit smoking almost one year ago. I called the Quitline to get started and then used the website every single day during my quit process. Daily web sessions along with nicotine patches helped me quit.” – a former smoker
You may have some hesitations about enrolling in quit support services—and that’s understandable. We’re here to help remove any roadblocks that may be preventing you from seeking support. With the right tools, you’ll be better prepared to succeed and quit nicotine for good, whether it’s your first attempt or your last.
We offer free services that include:
A quit plan customized to your needs
Sessions with a quit coach over the phone
Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) in the form of nicotine patches, gum and lozenges
Below, we specifically address the benefits of a customized quit plan, sessions with a quit coach, and NRT.
What is a quit coach?
“The coaches’ support helped me to build momentum to fight this addiction, walk through the unpleasant withdrawals without picking up [tobacco], and obtain the freedom to live the healthy lifestyle I live today. It’s been over four years!” – a former smoker
While you don’t have to use the free coach service, it is helpful to have a constant adviser who is available to listen, motivate, help, and otherwise simply be there for you through your journey. Rest assured, all the coaches are certified and have completed the Tobacco Treatment Specialist Training Program. Some are former tobacco users, none of them judge, and all of them are there because they want to help you quit.
Certified quit coaches are available for users of any kind of tobacco or nicotine product, such as cigarettes, chew, vapes, cigars or anything else. Coaches are available every day from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. and offer five coaching calls every one to two weeks lasting 15 to 20 minutes. Additional support may be available after these five calls.
What is nicotine replacement therapy?
Nicotine replacement therapy, or NRT, is a method to assist people during the quitting process by replacing nicotine with a controlled and safer source. NRT comes in various forms, such as patches, gum, lozenges, inhalers and nasal sprays, each designed to provide a steady dose of nicotine to curb withdrawal symptoms and cravings while reducing the harmful effects of tobacco and nicotine products. NRT works by gradually weaning the body off nicotine, which allows people to focus on breaking the habit of substance use. It is important to consult a health care professional for guidance on NRT usage, as they can tailor the treatment to your needs and offer additional support for a successful quit attempt.
Why should I use Way to Quit services?
“I believe the Quitline saved my life. Now I have so much more confidence in all areas of my life. I joined the Silver Sneakers program at my gym and I’m more physically active. I’m committed to my healthier life and look forward to more success.” – a former smoker
Way to Quit is a proud partner of the National Jewish Health Quitline, which has helped an incredible 1.5 million people quit tobacco with 90% satisfaction rate. The approach includes helping you tailor your quit to your individual needs, providing sessions with quit coaches that are free (statistically, people are two times more likely to quit long-term with a coach) and, because people are three times more likely to quit long-term with nicotine patches and/or gum, they also offer these aids for free.
Way to Quit is committed to helping you quit your way for a healthier future. If you’re ready, visit this link to enroll and quit today: https://utah.quitlogix.org/en-US/Enroll-Now.
If you’re ready to quit, we’re ready to help. Just pick the tools, free services or combinations you like best. They’re all proven to help you succeed. Get started today.
Take charge: A guide to quitting nicotine with nicotine replacement therapy (NRT)
Take control of your journey to a nicotine-free life with the empowering benefits of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). From patches to gum and lozenges, learn how NRT can support your decision to quit nicotine to keep you feeling empowered and in charge.
The environmental toll of tobacco and nicotine
The benefits of quitting tobacco and nicotine go beyond your own health. When you quit, you help preserve the environment.
In addition to costing 8 million people their lives; every year, the tobacco industry uses “more than 600 million trees, 772 miles of land, more than 24 billion tonnes of water, and 84 million tonnes of CO2”1. To put it into context, a tonne is a unit of mass equal to 1,000 kilograms or 2204 pounds, and 1 tonne of CO2 is the equivalent of driving 23,000 miles in the average car—that’s once around the world.
One tree only produces 15 packs of cigarettes, which requires hundreds of millions of trees to be chopped down every year. Tobacco manufacturers use 4 miles of paper every hour to wrap and package cigarettes and other products. That means the tobacco industry is a sizable contributor to deforestation.
The U.S. tobacco industry alone produces 16 million metric tonnes of carbon dioxide in 1 year—global tobacco production quadruples that amount. Imagine how clean our air would be if 16 million cars were removed from the streets every year. Eliminating tobacco production would yield the same results.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), tobacco products are the most littered item on the planet. Cigarettes contain more than 7,000 toxic chemicals, which then seep into our environment when thrown away1. According to Tobacco-Free Life, an organization focused on ending negative health outcomes from tobacco, roughly half of cigarette butts “end up in landfills, and the other half end up in soil, lakes, oceans, and forests.” And, while cigarette butts are made of cellulose acetate and are theoretically biodegradable, it takes them almost 2 years to degrade under perfect conditions3.
Additionally, vapes are particularly bad for the environment. They contain 3 known types of harmful waste: plastic, hazardous, and electronic or e-waste4. Single-use pods can’t be recycled with other plastic waste because they contain nicotine and, currently, there’s no proper way to recycle used pods in the U.S. Instead of biodegrading, they break down into microplastics, which go into our water and soil and are toxic to people and animals4.
Take a walk to get started.
If you worry about how your tobacco use negatively affects the environment, something as simple as a walk to distract yourself from smoking or vaping not only combats pollution, but it also relieves stress and improves your mood. As you walk, think about breathing fresh, clean air into your lungs. Consider how quitting smoking improves respiratory and cardiovascular systems, making it easier to be active and enjoy the outdoors. Take note of how much better you can breathe when you don’t smoke.
Quitting nicotine products saves your health and the world around you. So, the next time you have the urge to smoke or vape, go out and enjoy our beautiful world and the air you breathe—it’s cleaner, thanks to you!
Get Help Quitting
If you’re ready to quit, we’re ready to help. Just pick the tools, free services or combinations you like best. They’re all proven to help you succeed. Get started today.
Take charge: A guide to quitting nicotine with nicotine replacement therapy (NRT)
Take control of your journey to a nicotine-free life with the empowering benefits of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). From patches to gum and lozenges, learn how NRT can support your decision to quit nicotine to keep you feeling empowered and in charge.
Introduction
Nicotine is often used as an indulgence. While it may bring temporary feelings of comfort when we’re stressed, using nicotine or tobacco products can literally worsen our mental health in the long run1. Research studies show smoking is actually associated with more mental health problems3.
Read on to learn more about why, in the long run, quitting smoking will lead to fewer mental health symptoms and an overall healthier lifestyle, and how you can find help and support along the way.
Living with mental illness and smoking
“It would be much easier to get people to make the changes required to quit if, instead of putting black lungs on cigarette packages, write messages like: ‘If you’re stressed, depressed or anxious, see your local mental health provider.’” – an ex-smoker
More than 27% of U.S. adults with a mental illness report smoking cigarettes during the past month, compared to 15.8% of adults without mental illness4. In fact, every 3 out of 10 cigarettes are smoked by persons with mental health disorders5.
Smoking is believed to be more prevalent among people with a mental illness because nicotine may temporarily lessen symptoms of anxiety, depression and schizophrenia. However, the effects are not lasting, and studies show that smoking can actually increase levels of depression, anxiety and stress, as well as psychiatric symptoms2.
Smoking cessation, or quitting smoking, has been linked to a reduction in depression, anxiety and stress. Quitting smoking can improve your mood and quality of life, and has even been shown to help people reduce the dosage of their medications needed to treat mental health problems3.
Help and support for mental health and quitting smoking
Studies show that quitting smoking can improve your mental health. If you’re living with a mental health condition such as depression or anxiety, you may need extra support to quit smoking. With the right support, you can quit smoking without worsening your mental health5.
Many people who smoke and struggle with mental health issues benefit from psychotherapy—also called talk therapy or counseling. A therapist helps you learn skills to cope with life’s stressors in a healthier way, change behaviors that are causing problems, and find solutions. It may take a few tries to find a therapist you feel comfortable with. Having a trusted person to talk to openly and honestly about your feelings and concerns is an important part of getting better. Some common goals of talk therapy include getting healthier, quitting smoking, stopping drug and alcohol use, identifying things that worsen your mental health, and creating a plan to deal with these things in a healthier way5.
Another source of trusted support is Way to Quit, a free service in which participants build the plan that works best for them that includes free nicotine patches and gum, educational materials based on your specific needs, and supportive text messaging service. Certified quit coaches offer free 24/7 assistance by phone or online. These are completely confidential sessions that can both double your chances of quitting tobacco and provide judgment-free support.
Many people with depression find that taking prescribed medications like antidepressants can help improve their mood and coping skills. Talk to your doctor about whether they are right for you. If you are already using nicotine patches, gum or another medication to help you quit smoking, be sure to let your doctor know so they can provide you with the safest and most effective medication. Sometimes it takes several tries to find the best medication and the right dose for you, so be patient with yourself and have open communication with a health care provider5.
Conclusion
It’s important to know that stopping smoking isn’t going to automatically cure mental health struggles. And withdrawals after quitting are very common, especially in the first two weeks after you’ve stopped using a tobacco or nicotine product. But remember, there are effective and safe treatments to help you quit smoking and improve your mental health and, in the long run, it’s worth the struggle!
Get Help Quitting
If you’re ready to quit, we’re ready to help. Just pick the tools, free services or combinations you like best. They’re all proven to help you succeed. Get started today.
Take charge: A guide to quitting nicotine with nicotine replacement therapy (NRT)
Take control of your journey to a nicotine-free life with the empowering benefits of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). From patches to gum and lozenges, learn how NRT can support your decision to quit nicotine to keep you feeling empowered and in charge.
Top Tricks to Beat Tobacco
Quitting has never been an easy task. But there are ways to ease the edge. Here are a few friendly tips to keep you on track to living a smoke-free lifestyle.
Tip 1: Strengthen Your Chances Through Support
Make a quit plan and tell family, friends and co-workers about it. It’s OK to lean on your loved ones and ask for their support. Having a solid support system on your journey to quit can make a world of difference. The best way to start creating a quit plan is by choosing a date to quit.
Tip 2: Talk With Your Doctor
Talk to your doctor. They can give you advice, resources and medication that can help you be successful in your quit journey. For example, studies show that with the help of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), quitters are over 50% more likely to quit successfully.
Tip 3: Toss the Tobacco
Don’t hold onto something you don’t need. Throw out all tobacco and related products (ashtrays, lighters) from your home, work and car. Not only will you remove the temptation from your day-to-day life — removing all tobacco-related products helps reduce and control cravings in hopes of leading to an overall change in behavior.
Remember, the best tip when trying to quit is to never give up. If you’re ready to quit, we’re prepared to help. Just pick the tools, free services or combinations you like best. They’re all proven to help you succeed. So, get started today and discover your way to quit.
Get Help Quitting
If you’re ready to quit, we’re ready to help. Just pick the tools, free services or combinations you like best. They’re all proven to help you succeed. Get started today.
