In recent years the number of ways to help quit smoking have grown and grown, as the number of negative effects of smoking have increased. Telephone advice, group and individual counselling, hypnotherapy and good old fashion willpower are all things that have been encouraged by the Government and the NHS over the years.

One always popular method of giving up is with nicotine devices. From nicotine patches to fake cigarettes that contain nicotine, the number of nicotine containing devices seems to be increasing every day.

What Nicotine devices are there?

If Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) is your chosen method of choice to stop smoking, then chances are you won’t know where to turn when choosing a specific device. The choice is largely up to the preference of the smoker and only they can say which is best for them.

Common devices are nicotine patches, stuck on the arm to steadily release nicotine, which slowly decreases the level of nicotine put into the body. This device in the long run can help stop the addiction for nicotine, but many smokers also miss the feel of having a cigarette between their fingers, which cannot be mimicked by a nicotine patch.

Gums and fake cigarettes in particular are also very effective in the fight against smoking because they also satisfy the physical addiction. In some cases however, this can make things difficult in the long run, as smokers continue to keep dependence on having something in their hands while taking in nicotine.

The above devices are just a small number of the most popular choices that contain nicotine. Other devices include lozenges, sprays and inhalers, which may prove to be just as effective or more so than some of the most popular devices.

Nicotine Withdrawal

While nicotine has proved effective for quitting smoking, withdrawal symptoms from the nicotine itself are not uncommon, although are usually less dramatic as smoking withdrawals and cravings. Common withdrawal symptoms are: cravings to smoke, crankiness, insomnia, fatigue, headaches, a cough, sore throat, constipation and tightness of the chest.

A common way to cope with these withdrawal symptoms is to follow the 5 D’s:

• Delay: wait until the urge has passed, usually about 5 minutes.
• Distract: do something to distract yourself.
• Drinking Water: can be a great way to fight cravings.
• Deep Breaths: Calm yourself down and draw on your willpower.
• Discuss: Talk your feelings through with a family member or friend.