Ways to Help You Stop Smoking

There are a lot of nicotine replacement therapies (NRTs) nowadays – nicotine patches, inhalers, replacement cigarettes, gums and candies among them. But did you know that for some smokers to stop smoking, herbs were their only answer? In their quest for a stop smoking campaign, some people have become advocates to alternative herbs as a helpful and less costly way to stop the dreaded habit.

Organic products like herbs and teas are considered by many to be the safest way to help in quitting the smokes. Their main comparison between NRTs and herbal alternatives? NRTs usually still have a tinge of nicotine in them – meaning, if you take them, you would still not be completely nicotine-free since you are slowly being “weaned” out of nicotine gradually. And sometimes, the withdrawal symptoms are reportedly much worse in those taking NRTs – their bodies are used to a certain amount of nicotine. For them to get less than half of their daily intake may seem like a death sentence for some people and the cravings would be more intense.

Herbs on the other hand, don’t have nicotine as a component. Some have nicotine-imitators that just mimic the effects of nicotine without the addictive component of it. Most herbs address the withdrawal symptoms themselves, for example, reducing anxiety and depression or the craving for a puff.

Here are some herbs that are commonly used by smokers:

- Lobelia. Contains a substance called lobeline which has nicotine-like components but not addictive unlike its nemesis. (Caution: This is a strong herb, so this must not be overused.)

- Kava-Kava. An antidote to depression and irritability… feelings that you may have once you stop smoking.

- Licorice. This not just keeps skin glowing, but this can also be made into a tonic that soothes damaged lungs and helps in restoring lost energy during the withdrawal stage.

- Garlic. Commonly used in cooking, this pungent herb also has the ability to relax the blood vessels to lower and normalize blood pressure.

- Coltsfoot. This herb soothes inflamed lung tissues and air sacs, and also helps in loosening secretions.

- Turmeric. This removes the damaging carcinogens found in cigarette smoke (and which eventually will be found in your lungs should you continue to smoke).

- Oats (specifically green oats). This has a sedative effect which is definitely helpful when fending off anxiety and panic attacks. Also reduces the craving to smoke.

If you have been looking for some ways on how to stop smoking marijuana, you can actually find a lot of strategies and techniques used today. However, it is important to note that if you are someone that needs help, or you recognize that you have to stop this addiction, you have to be determined and motivated to do such.

Whatever techniques that you use to overcome any addiction, the first steps should come from you – and that’s deciding to overcome the addiction and deciding to start. To help you find the best strategy r technique that you can use on how to stop smoking marijuana, here are a few techniques that you might find useful.

Hypnotherapy

Hypnosis has been quite popular these days in treating phobias, changing bad habits, overcoming addictions as well as helping you overcome fear and anxiety and changing undesirable patterns of behavior. Hypnotherapy works by sending messages into your subconscious mind that will help you change the way you think about certain things. You can do hypnosis by the guidance of an expert, or you can also do self-hypnosis to help yourself. Although hypnotherapy has been widely practiced, it is important to consider that this can be effective as a complementary treatment.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Another popular therapy that is used in overcoming addiction, including marijuana addiction, is cognitive behavioral therapy, which is usually done by a professional. In this particular technique, you will be working with your therapist to be able to identify your feelings and thoughts as well as coping difficulties that you encounter and identifying how you can change them as well.

You will also undergo skills training where you will be taught some coping skills that will help you avoid going for drugs or marijuana. Usually, poor coping skills will lead to marijuana use as a coping mechanism and cognitive behavioral therapy can help you in this area as well.

Self Help

Aside from these therapies on how to stop smoking marijuana, you can also help yourself with some little things that can help a lot in your fight to overcome addiction. Make some lifestyle changes. Avoid places and people that will only lead you to use marijuana.

Find ways to manage stress in your life. Marijuana use if often associated as an escape in dealing with stress and problems in life, thus if you want to get rid of the habit, find healthy and positive ways to deal and manage stress.

Find new interests and passion. Break your usual routine and get rid of items and things that remind you of marijuana use. Although these are just little things that you can do everyday, this can contribute much to your total recovery.

If it is the former that is more important to you, then read on to learn how you can make your life better and your family happier. In case, it is the latter you pickup, even then consider reading on…

The easiest way to stop smoking is by managing and planning your ‘quitting’ properly. Just like anything else in the world, quitting smoking also needs a proper plan. Unless and until you do not possess a workable and reliable plan, you are not likely to succeed in your effort to quit smoking.

Following are some of the points that you may include in your plan:

Try to hinder your access to cigarettes. For instance, if it is a friend who is likely to offer cigarettes to you, stop seeing him/her for a while. Just dump any cigarette packs that you may have ever kept with you. There should absolutely be no possibility for you to get a cigarette.

When you start your process of quit smoking, you must try to stay away from anyone or anything, which has the ability to drive you back to the smoking path. Just as mentioned above, avoid seeing a friend, who may put you back into it. If you like smoking under particular conditions or emotions, try to avoid them as much as you can. These smoking drivers can ruin your entire plan! Psychologists believe that by the use of ‘instrumental learning’, that is, breaking the linking chain between the situation and the action, smoking can be controlled. All situations that tempt you to smoke should be avoided. This is a promising and an easy way to stop smoking.

Try to keep your mind as much occupied as you possibly can. You are sure to get some wild cravings for cigarette, but one way you can avoid them is by staying busy and occupied. Don’t let your mind move to that direction.

Change your regular or daily routine; this will help you in your quitting plan. If you stick to your old routine, you are more inclined toward getting strong cravings than otherwise.

Socialize with people, who may be ready to render their support to you for this plan. Stay away from the ones, who can tempt you to smoke. Support is all that you need in the initial period of the plan, so try to spend time with people who can provide you the much needed support and strength. This easy way to stop smoking is very effective.

Your will power can play a chief role in helping you to quit smoking. Keep your will power and dedication alive.

Accept the fact that smoking is your most dangerous habit. There may be a number of triggers that stimulate the need for a cigarette, but the truth is that it has become a habit now. Even though, you may not want to smoke at times, but you still do because it has simply become a habit. You can get rid of this fatal habit by keeping in mind the health consequences it bears.