Time to prepare for New Year Quitting
Jonathan Foulds, PhD posted:
Are you planning to quit at the New Year? This is one of the most popular times to make a serious quit attempt. As the excesses of the holiday season come to a close, and people look to healthy self-improvement in 2012, New Year is one of the most popular times of the year for smokers to quit. So I'm just putting out a reminder today that January 2012 is only 5 days away, and there are some steps you may want to take now to get ready.
Firstly, you may want to make a firm decision when you are going to quit. January 1st is traditional but it is okay to plan it for whatever day suits your schedule, so long as you stick to the plan.
Once you have chosen your Quit Date, then you should decide if you plan to use a smoking cessation aid. There are three nicotine replacement products (gum, patch and lozenge) that are available over the counter from your pharmacy, and four prescription-only medications: varenicline (Chantix), bupropion, nicotine nasal spray and nicotine inhaler. All of the nicotine replacement products are started on your quit day, but varenicline and bupropion should be started prior to the quit day (ideally at least a week before). So if you were planning to use one of those, you should go and see your doctor now.
Then there are a range of other tips, websites and resources that may be helpful. You could try the Smoking Cessation Health Center on WebMD (linked above), or another free smoking cessation site such as www.becomeanex.com . It would be good to hear what some of you are doing to prepare for quitting, and to hear tips from those of you who have already quit successfully.
Firstly, you may want to make a firm decision when you are going to quit. January 1st is traditional but it is okay to plan it for whatever day suits your schedule, so long as you stick to the plan.
Once you have chosen your Quit Date, then you should decide if you plan to use a smoking cessation aid. There are three nicotine replacement products (gum, patch and lozenge) that are available over the counter from your pharmacy, and four prescription-only medications: varenicline (Chantix), bupropion, nicotine nasal spray and nicotine inhaler. All of the nicotine replacement products are started on your quit day, but varenicline and bupropion should be started prior to the quit day (ideally at least a week before). So if you were planning to use one of those, you should go and see your doctor now.
Then there are a range of other tips, websites and resources that may be helpful. You could try the Smoking Cessation Health Center on WebMD (linked above), or another free smoking cessation site such as www.becomeanex.com . It would be good to hear what some of you are doing to prepare for quitting, and to hear tips from those of you who have already quit successfully.
Take the Poll
When are you planning to quit?
- Before January 1, 2012
- On January 1, 2012
- In January, 2012, but not on Jan 1.
- I havnt decided yet.
3 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:Time to prepare for New Year QuittingAre you planning to quit at the New Year? This is one of the most popular times to make a serious quit attempt. As the excesses of the holiday season come to a close, and people look to healthy self-improvement in 2012, New Year is one of the most popular times of the year for smokers to quit. So I'm just putting out a reminder today that January 2012 is only 5 days away, and there are some steps you may want to take now to get ready. <br /> <br />Firstly, you may want to make a firm decision when you are going to quit. January 1st is traditional but it is okay to plan it for whatever day suits your schedule, so long as you stick to the plan. <br /> <br />Once you have chosen your Quit Date, then you should decide if you plan to use a smoking cessation aid. There are three nicotine replacement products (gum, patch and lozenge) that are available over the counter from your pharmacy, and four prescription-only medications: varenicline (Chantix), bupropion, nicotine nasal spray and nicotine inhaler. All of the nicotine replacement products are started on your quit day, but varenicline and bupropion should be started prior to the quit day (ideally at least a week before). So if you were planning to use one of those, you should go and see your doctor now. <br /> <br />Then there are a range of other tips, websites and resources that may be helpful. You could try the Smoking Cessation Health Center on WebMD (linked above), or another free smoking cessation site such as <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.becomeanex.org/">www.becomeanex.com</a> . It would be good to hear what some of you are doing to prepare for quitting, and to hear tips from those of you who have already quit successfully.<br />
rlwill responded:
I have been quitting for 23 years. I know that sounds extreme but I have a really hard time giving them up. The longest was 2 weeks but that is only because I was in ICU for 2 weeks....
I make my mind uo because I know the whole health and financial reasons and the day comes and I find myself buying cigarettes like the good addict I am, I went through this with alcohol in 89 and it nearly cost me my life before I quit using alcohol completely. And even at that it wasn't easy but I have to say kicking tobaccoo has been extremely hard. I have tried, drugs, patches, gum and pure will power to no avail. I live alone so I have no one at home to give me support where I need it the most while I am home alone it's just me in my head... Any Ideas? I would really appreciate them... Thanks
I make my mind uo because I know the whole health and financial reasons and the day comes and I find myself buying cigarettes like the good addict I am, I went through this with alcohol in 89 and it nearly cost me my life before I quit using alcohol completely. And even at that it wasn't easy but I have to say kicking tobaccoo has been extremely hard. I have tried, drugs, patches, gum and pure will power to no avail. I live alone so I have no one at home to give me support where I need it the most while I am home alone it's just me in my head... Any Ideas? I would really appreciate them... Thanks
Report This| Share this:Time to prepare for New Year QuittingI have been quitting for 23 years. I know that sounds extreme but I have a really hard time giving them up. The longest was 2 weeks but that is only because I was in ICU for 2 weeks.... <br />I make my mind uo because I know the whole health and financial reasons and the day comes and I find myself buying cigarettes like the good addict I am, I went through this with alcohol in 89 and it nearly cost me my life before I quit using alcohol completely. And even at that it wasn't easy but I have to say kicking tobaccoo has been extremely hard. I have tried, drugs, patches, gum and pure will power to no avail. I live alone so I have no one at home to give me support where I need it the most while I am home alone it's just me in my head... Any Ideas? I would really appreciate them... Thanks
petetucker replied to rlwill's response:
Quitting smoking is a lengthy and difficult process that many governments have put millions of dollars into motivating. A new study, however, signifies that nicotine substitution therapies do not have an impact on the long-term success of individuals attempting to quit smoking. Even nicotine patches and gums does not work to make a smoker quit smoking. Source of article: Patches and gums do not help smokers quit long-term .
Report This| Share this:Time to prepare for New Year QuittingQuitting smoking is a lengthy and difficult process that many governments have put millions of dollars into motivating. A new study, however, signifies that nicotine substitution therapies do not have an impact on the long-term success of individuals attempting to quit smoking. Even nicotine patches and gums does not work to make a smoker quit smoking. Source of article: <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.newsytype.com/14351-long-term-quit-smoking/">Patches and gums do not help smokers quit long-term</a> .
Check out my comments on the recent study claiming to show that nicotine replacement therapy does not help smokers to quit. That study had many weaknesses and was a study of long term relapse rather than a study of quitting. It is no surprise that taking NRT for a couple of months 4 years ago has little imact on your chances of relapsing this year.
Report This| Share this:Time to prepare for New Year QuittingCheck out my <a href="http://forums.webmd.com/3/smoking-cessation-exchange/forum/707">comments</a> on the recent study claiming to show that nicotine replacement therapy does not help smokers to quit. That study had many weaknesses and was a study of long term relapse rather than a study of quitting. It is no surprise that taking NRT for a couple of months 4 years ago has little imact on your chances of relapsing this year.
Featuring Experts
Jonathan Foulds, PhD. is a Professor of Public Health Sciences at Penn State University, College of Medicine. After obtaining a first class honors deg...More
Helpful Tips
17 days cigarette free and going on forever
Evening everyone, Drink A LOT of water (add a squeeze of lemon for a perk to your senses!) Load up on Vitamin C Happy Skin All Around More
Was this Helpful?
4
of
4 found this helpful
Helpful Resources
Related News
Related Drug Reviews
- Drug Name User Reviews
Report Problems to the
Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Other Smoking Cessation Information
More Related Communities
The opinions expressed in WebMD User-generated content areas like communities, reviews, ratings, or blogs are solely those of the User, who may or may not have medical or scientific training. These opinions do not represent the opinions of WebMD. User-generated content areas are not reviewed by a WebMD physician or any member of the WebMD editorial staff for accuracy, balance, objectivity, or any other reason except for compliance with our Terms and Conditions. Some of these opinions may contain information about treatments or uses of drug products that have not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. WebMD does not endorse any specific product, service, or treatment.
Do not consider WebMD User-generated content as medical advice. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified healthcare provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your care plan or treatment. WebMD understands that reading individual, real-life experiences can be a helpful resource, but it is never a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified health care provider. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or dial 911 immediately.
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors
About WebMD Advertise With Us Terms of Use Privacy Policy Sponsor Policy Site Map Careers Contact Us
First Aid WebMD Magazine WebMD Health Record WebMD Mobile Newsletters Dictionary Physician Directory
©2005-2013 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.
WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See additional information.