Smoking Cessation Treatments

At present there are three treatment solutions for smokers who are trying to give up the habit. These are Nicotine Replacement Therapy, which is available in a number of different forms such as patches, gums and even inhalators and prescription treatments like Zyban and Chantix. Below is a brief summary of each of these methods, how they work and how effective they are at helping people give up smoking.

NRT (Nicotine Replacement Therapy)

Nicotine Replacement Therapy is available in a variety of different brand names and is the oldest approved medical method of giving up your addiction. It works by replacing the nicotine you would usually take into your body from smoking, but without any of the tar or poisons which make smoking so bad for you. The success rate of this method is quite low, with as little as 1 in 5 smokers managing to give up using a form of NRT treatment.

Zyban (bupropion)

Zyban, a treatment originally developed as an anti-depressant, was first seen to have benefits for smokers during the clinical trial stage. Participants in the trial who smoked found that they were starting to smoke less frequently and in some cases, stopped all together. The action which achieves this is at present not fully understood, however it’s believed that it increases the levels of certain chemicals within the brain which help to regulate cravings. The success rate of smoking cessation treatment is around 29% and is taken for a period of 12 weeks.

Chantix (varenicline)

Chantix is the newest medicated aid in the fight against nicotine addiction and has shown a much higher success rates than either of the alternative treatment options. It works to block the action of nicotine, whilst stimulating nicotine receptors within the brain to reduce both the effect of nicotine in the body as well as any cravings which smokers usually suffer when trying to give up. Smoking cessation treatment has a success rate of 44%, which is significantly higher than any other treatment available within the market at this present time. The entire course lasts for the duration of 12 weeks, with many smokers giving up long before they reach the end of their treatment.