 |
RESOURCES
The National Cancer Institute's (NCI) Cancer Information Service (CIS) is a nationwide information service for cancer patients and their families and friends, the public, and health care professionals. The specially trained staff can provide smoking cessation counseling and answer questions (in English or Spanish). They can send you free NCI materials about smoking cessation. They also know about other resources and services. Call the NCI’s Smoking Quitline toll free at 1-877-44U-QUIT (1-877-448-7848) for help quitting smoking. Or visit the NCI’s Tobacco Web site at: http://cancer.gov/cancerinfo/tobacco
Smokefree.gov
Smokefree.gov is intended to help you or someone you care about quit smoking.
Different people need different resources as they try to quit. Information and professional assistance is available as:
- An online step-by-step cessation guide
- Local and state telephone quitlines
- NCI’s national telephone quitline
- NCI’s instant messaging service
- Publications, which may be downloaded, printed, or ordered
American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society (ACS) is a voluntary organization composed of volunteers and offices all over the country. ACS helps people learn about the health hazards of smoking and how to become ex-smokers. Its programs include 58 divisions and 3,100 local units. It also has many booklets and other information that can help, and numerous educational materials. Call the American Cancer Society toll free at 1-800-ACS-2345 (1-800—227-2345) or check your phone book to find your local office.
American Psychiatric Association
Listed below are the classic withdrawal symptoms for nicotine. Please look at them and determine if you have experienced 4 or more of these withdrawal symptoms when you have previously tried to become a non-smoker.
- Dysphoric or depressed mood
- Insomnia
- Irritability, frustration, anger
- Anxiety
- Difficulty concentrating
- Restlessness
- Decreased heart rate
- Increased appetite
If you have experienced four or more of these withdrawal symptoms when you have tried to become a non-smoker, you are probably dependent on nicotine.
Alternative Ways To Give Your Brain Nicotine
Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) is a much safer alternative for providing nicotine to the brain. You will need to determine which nicotine replacement product is best for you.
- Consult your doctor if you are interested in using the nicotine inhaler or nasal spray. Also consult your doctor if you are interested in using Zyban (Buproprion) or Chantix. These medications require a prescription.
- NRT products are not recommended for pregnant or nursing women. If you are pregnant, nursing, or may become pregnant during this period, when you are attempting to become a nonsmoker ask your doctor about ways to deal with smoking that do not involve use of these products.
- If you have heart problems, high blood pressure, dental problems, ulcers, or diabetes, you should consult your doctor before using NRT.
- Your body will process other drugs differently when you are smoking and when you are not. If you are using drugs prescribed for you by a health care professional, for example, for asthma, consult with him or her, let them know you are becoming a non-smoker, and ask if changes in your medications are required.
- Generic nicotine products and less expensive, but you risk failure because of the lower blood nicotine levels (44% to 76%) these products provide.
|
|
