Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
How To Quit Smoking?
Question: I want to quit smoking. But unable to do so please help
Brief Answer:
Treatments are available
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
Thanks for using healthcare magic.
I understand your concern and applaud your decision to quit smoking. Smoking as you know is very strong addiction and it needs a lots of effort on part of individual and therapist.
I assume that you are having withdrawal symptoms that leads to relapse of condition. There might be another problem like craving which is very strong and following this person usually restores back to smoking.
Before we proceed further I request you to post following details to me.
No. of cigarettes smoked per day
Duration of problem and how it was started
Any other substance that you are taking like alcohol
Circumstances which increase the smoking
What prevents you from quitting
Problem faced by you because of smoking and while quitting this habit
Your family history of smoking or other substance abuse
What you tried till date and duration of trial
Any effect/side effect experienced by you
Maximum duration in which you remained abstinent for smoking
Reason for returning back to smoking
Do you have any other illness
I hope to see you soon for follow up.
Thanks and Regards
Dr Ashok
Treatments are available
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
Thanks for using healthcare magic.
I understand your concern and applaud your decision to quit smoking. Smoking as you know is very strong addiction and it needs a lots of effort on part of individual and therapist.
I assume that you are having withdrawal symptoms that leads to relapse of condition. There might be another problem like craving which is very strong and following this person usually restores back to smoking.
Before we proceed further I request you to post following details to me.
No. of cigarettes smoked per day
Duration of problem and how it was started
Any other substance that you are taking like alcohol
Circumstances which increase the smoking
What prevents you from quitting
Problem faced by you because of smoking and while quitting this habit
Your family history of smoking or other substance abuse
What you tried till date and duration of trial
Any effect/side effect experienced by you
Maximum duration in which you remained abstinent for smoking
Reason for returning back to smoking
Do you have any other illness
I hope to see you soon for follow up.
Thanks and Regards
Dr Ashok
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
No. of cigarettes smoked per day: 5 to 7
Duration of problem and how it was started : I was working for call centre and wihtout any specific reason it got started with friends.
Any other substance that you are taking like alcohol: Yes i do but occassionaly
Circumstances which increase the smoking : If i am in office only that time a smoke a lot . And if have some difficult time then i do. Most important if i am at home then i dont smoke at all.
What prevents you from quitting: My will power i guess..
Problem faced by you because of smoking and while quitting this habit: Breathing issue .
Your family history of smoking or other substance abuse: My Grandfather use to smoke but my father dont..
What you tried till date and duration of trialAny effect/side effect experienced by you: I tried nicotin chewgum and maximum for a week it was. Side effect was that use to have to much of acidity.
Maximum duration in which you remained abstinent for smoking: 1 week
Reason for returning back to smoking: Was not any specific reason but i think my will power is not so strong.
Do you have any other illness: No i dont have..
Thank you .
Duration of problem and how it was started : I was working for call centre and wihtout any specific reason it got started with friends.
Any other substance that you are taking like alcohol: Yes i do but occassionaly
Circumstances which increase the smoking : If i am in office only that time a smoke a lot . And if have some difficult time then i do. Most important if i am at home then i dont smoke at all.
What prevents you from quitting: My will power i guess..
Problem faced by you because of smoking and while quitting this habit: Breathing issue .
Your family history of smoking or other substance abuse: My Grandfather use to smoke but my father dont..
What you tried till date and duration of trialAny effect/side effect experienced by you: I tried nicotin chewgum and maximum for a week it was. Side effect was that use to have to much of acidity.
Maximum duration in which you remained abstinent for smoking: 1 week
Reason for returning back to smoking: Was not any specific reason but i think my will power is not so strong.
Do you have any other illness: No i dont have..
Thank you .
Brief Answer:
First you need to mange stress
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
Welcome back to health care magic.
As per the answers provided by you, you have mild degree of addiction to nicotine which is exacerbated by work stress or other kind of difficult situation for you.
As we the know the most attributable cause of smoking for you, the most appropriate step in helping you to quit smoking is management of stress.
I am writing down few of the strategies that will help you in management of stress leading to reduction of your smoking habit.
1. Diet: Ensure intake of adequate quantity of fiber. 2 servings of vegetable salad and 2 servings of fruits( One preferable citrus fruit). Avoid junk food and fast food especially pizza, burgers and excessive sweets
2. Ensure adequate water intake: Follow rule of 1 which i usually advise. 1 glass of water 1 hour before and 1 glass of water 1 hour after every meals will ensure adequate consumption of water . Recommended intake of water is 2 to 3 liter a day.
3. Early morning Exercise: Brisk walking for 30 minutes at a stretch preferably in garden will be very helpful. Walking is the best exercise, it also promotes release of Endorphins( naturally occuring pain killers released in brain) which causes mood elevation and generalized feeling of well being. Make it a daily habit and incorporate in your lifestyle.
4. Avoid tea/coffee/ nicotine and alcoholic beverages: If at all you want to drink something, drink fresh lime water. It is very much refreshing.
5. Start your day with a glass of Lemon water with 2 spoons of honey added. have a good breakfast.
6. Don't take work so seriously: We all have the feeling to excel in our respective fields and don't spend adequate time with our own self trying to understand our own needs.
The work pressure is high: Call it a day, take a short leave and hit out to picnic spot which you always wanted to go. Spend time with your family and friends.
7. While working take frequent regular breaks: Taking regular breaks will not waste the time, but it will definitely increase the productivity, concentration and reasoning. Take break for 5 minutes every 30 minutes but avoid visiting areas where cigarettes are available including friends who smoke.
8. Avoid late night socialization
9. Avoid starring for longer time at the computer screen or TV for longer time
10. Steam inhalation before going to sleep will be very refreshing: will also benefit your allergy
11. Multivitamin and Calcium supplement.
12. Meditation and Yoga
I hope the above mentioned strategies will help you to improve your will power and reduce the stress which cause you to smoke. Whenever you feel urge to smoke take some alternative thing as per your choice as a substitute to cigarettes. I do not think medicines are required by you for quitting smoking. Option of medication will be considered if you are not able to control the things with all these steps.
If you feel more need to be done feel free to contact me. I will be happy o help you.
Thanks and Regards
Dr Ashok
First you need to mange stress
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
Welcome back to health care magic.
As per the answers provided by you, you have mild degree of addiction to nicotine which is exacerbated by work stress or other kind of difficult situation for you.
As we the know the most attributable cause of smoking for you, the most appropriate step in helping you to quit smoking is management of stress.
I am writing down few of the strategies that will help you in management of stress leading to reduction of your smoking habit.
1. Diet: Ensure intake of adequate quantity of fiber. 2 servings of vegetable salad and 2 servings of fruits( One preferable citrus fruit). Avoid junk food and fast food especially pizza, burgers and excessive sweets
2. Ensure adequate water intake: Follow rule of 1 which i usually advise. 1 glass of water 1 hour before and 1 glass of water 1 hour after every meals will ensure adequate consumption of water . Recommended intake of water is 2 to 3 liter a day.
3. Early morning Exercise: Brisk walking for 30 minutes at a stretch preferably in garden will be very helpful. Walking is the best exercise, it also promotes release of Endorphins( naturally occuring pain killers released in brain) which causes mood elevation and generalized feeling of well being. Make it a daily habit and incorporate in your lifestyle.
4. Avoid tea/coffee/ nicotine and alcoholic beverages: If at all you want to drink something, drink fresh lime water. It is very much refreshing.
5. Start your day with a glass of Lemon water with 2 spoons of honey added. have a good breakfast.
6. Don't take work so seriously: We all have the feeling to excel in our respective fields and don't spend adequate time with our own self trying to understand our own needs.
The work pressure is high: Call it a day, take a short leave and hit out to picnic spot which you always wanted to go. Spend time with your family and friends.
7. While working take frequent regular breaks: Taking regular breaks will not waste the time, but it will definitely increase the productivity, concentration and reasoning. Take break for 5 minutes every 30 minutes but avoid visiting areas where cigarettes are available including friends who smoke.
8. Avoid late night socialization
9. Avoid starring for longer time at the computer screen or TV for longer time
10. Steam inhalation before going to sleep will be very refreshing: will also benefit your allergy
11. Multivitamin and Calcium supplement.
12. Meditation and Yoga
I hope the above mentioned strategies will help you to improve your will power and reduce the stress which cause you to smoke. Whenever you feel urge to smoke take some alternative thing as per your choice as a substitute to cigarettes. I do not think medicines are required by you for quitting smoking. Option of medication will be considered if you are not able to control the things with all these steps.
If you feel more need to be done feel free to contact me. I will be happy o help you.
Thanks and Regards
Dr Ashok
Note: In case of any other concern or query related to prevention, evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, or the recovery of persons with the any type of addiction or substance use, follow up with our Addiction Medicine Specialist. Click here to book a consultation now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
