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(HealthNewsDigest.com) – Trying to quit smoking cigarettes is an extremely difficult thing. Nicotine happens to be one of the most addictive substances that we know of. It’s also one of the most socially accepted highly addictive drugs.
It’s easy to get hooked and it’s socially acceptable to keep smoking. In the face of health consequences, though, most smokers would like to quit. The most common alternatives to smoking are nicotine-based products like patches and gum.
The idea is to shake your addiction, though, and nicotine-based products are still giving you a similar amount of the drug you’re addicted to. With this in mind, many people seek out nicotine alternatives.
We’re going to explore some of those non-nicotine options in this article, giving you the tools you need to shake the drug altogether.
10 Nicotine Alternatives That Work
It’s important to keep your head up as you try to quit nicotine. Remember that around 34 million people smoke cigarettes in the United States, and many of those individuals have tried and failed at quitting.
Nicotine is extremely powerful, and decades of advertisements and cultural reinforcements of cigarette use have made smoking seem “cool” and exciting. Keep in mind that the idea of the “cowboy smoking a cigarette” and other American images were thought up long before anyone was aware of the health risks of smoking.
We saw cigarette use in movies, television, and our parents as we grew up, so taking that first drag didn’t seem so bad. Before we knew it, we were addicted and wanted to find a way out.
Quitting cold turkey is far easier said than done, and nicotine products help, but they’re still contributing to the addiction. It’s hard, but your health depends on you quitting, so take a peek at the following nicotine alternatives for some ideas of ways that you could quit.
1. Hypnosis
Hypnosis is a surprisingly effective way to quit smoking. It may take you a little while to accept the idea of going in and being hypnotized. The reality of hypnotism probably isn’t exactly what you think.
Most people think of an eccentric hypnotist waving a swirling watch in front of their face, or a speaker on stage who can put ten people to sleep with a snap. These are ideas pushed forward in the media, but they aren’t accurate depictions of what hypnotism is.
Hypnotism typically involves an initial period of deep, guided relaxation, followed by a period of suggestion. The hypnotic state is one that’s very similar to the one you’re in just before or after sleep. It’s thought to be a state that’s in-between consciousness and subconsciousness.
In the hypnotic state, the chatter of your conscious mind will diminish and your subconscious goals and desires will float to the surface more clearly. Your goal, in this case, is to quit smoking.
The hypnotist’s guidance will help you to explore the idea of cigarette use, hopefully making you realize fully how important it is that you stop.
Many people don’t pick up another cigarette after one or two sessions with a hypnotist.
2. Toothpicks
It sounds like a joke, we know. You will find a lot of former smokers chewing a toothpick when they have a craving, though.
A big component of cigarette addiction is the behavior associated with smoking. So, nicotine is the primary driver of the addiction but you may also be fixated on hand movements, having something to fiddle with between your teeth, or stepping outside with people at a coffee shop or bar.
You’ll notice that some smokers will tap their fingers excessively, chew on pens, or get fidgety when they’re not smoking a cigarette. You will feel the need to smoke when you quit, but having a box of toothpicks to nibble on will certainly help fight the cravings.
Plus, toothpicks are far cheaper than a pack of cigarettes.
3. Exercise
Often times, a cigarette addiction dictates what you do throughout the day. Wake up in the morning, smoke a cigarette. Get in the car to drive to work, smoke another cigarette.
Get home, smoke a cigarette. Repeat.
A large part of breaking your addiction is breaking up your routine. This can be difficult to do when you feel tired and unhealthy. It’s common to feel lethargic when you’re in the throes of smoking or quitting cigarettes.
Exercise is a great way to combat these issues from both sides. First, you can establish a positive habit of exercising before or after work instead of smoking. Second, exercise will give you more energy and confidence to move forward.
You don’t even have to get a gym membership or exert too much energy. “Exercising” can mean a few pushups, a walk, some squats, or some other small activity.
On a larger scale, exercise will bring you into a better state of health, one that you won’t want to lose by smoking cigarettes again.
4. CBD
Another great option is substituting nicotine for something that actually poses health benefits. CBD is one such option and it can be smoked or vaped.
CBD, the non-psychoactive component of cannabis, is known to have a number of healing properties. The substance is known best for its ability to relieve anxiety and stress in a matter of minutes.
It’s also praised for pain relief properties and an ability to benefit those who suffer from epileptic seizures. These benefits come on top of the fact that consuming CBD can serve as a close substitute for cigarette smoking.
CBD products don’t get you high, they’re legal, and they’re easy to find. Consider swapping your current vape cartridge with a CBDfx additive or pick up a pack of CBD cigarettes.
5. Vaping
Switching from vaping to smoking is a natural transition. Many people move to the vape and gradually decrease their nicotine consumption as time goes on.
This is made easy by the fact that you can adjust the amount of nicotine in the vape juice you choose. You can even use juice without any nicotine at all.
You can still go out for your “smoke break,” bring the device to your mouth, inhale and exhale just like you would with cigarettes.
6. Nicotine-Alternative Medications
Products like Zyban and Chantix are alternatives to smoking as well. These are likely the most expensive option on the list and must be prescribed by a doctor.
That said, you may be experiencing severe difficulty trying to get off of cigarettes. Going to speak with a doctor may be the best option, as they can set you up with a medication that would serve you better than, say, a toothpick would.
Remember that there are different degrees of addiction, and there’s no shame in speaking with a doctor about getting better help.
7. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
We go to counseling when we’re having trouble dealing with issues that affect our health, whether mental or physical. Smoking is one part physical addiction, another part psychological dependency.
We use smoking to deal with stress, address problems, make friends in some cases, and more. Cigarettes have a way of nestling into the center of our lives, and losing the habit can be very emotionally difficult. Many smokers are afraid that their lives will change too drastically when they quit.
Working with a counselor and doing cognitive behavioral therapy can be an extremely helpful way of finding a way to a nicotine-free life and addressing such problems.
8. Nicotine Patches
Up to this point, all of our options have been nicotine-free. Sometimes, though, you have to have a way of curbing the addiction as you start the journey.
Many people have success with patches. These can be hidden underneath your clothes and release nicotine into your bloodstream throughout the day This eliminates any cravings you would have as a result of physical dependency.
You will still have to combat cravings triggered by environmental factors. Seeing someone smoking your brand of cigarettes or hopping into your car are two common triggers.
At the same time, your body won’t be urging you to go buy a pack of cigarettes.
9. Lozenges and Gum
Nicotine lozenges and gum are other common alternatives to cigarettes. They pose all of the same benefits as the patch, plus the fact that they satisfy the oral fixation that often comes along with the urge to smoke.
Similar to the effect of a toothpick, having gum or a lozenge in your mouth can help to minimize cravings.
10. Meditation
Finally, you need to keep your mind right if you’re going to battle the nicotine demon you’ve been feeding all these years.
Mindfulness meditation can help you become more cognizant of your thoughts, feelings, and cravings. Noticing a craving can help you nip it in the bud and move forward. Further, emotions as a result of cravings are natural and can lead to you picking up another pack of smokes.
Being aware of how your addiction and cravings are affecting your emotions is essential in preventing them from pushing you to smoke again.
Ready to Move Forward?
We hope at least one of these nicotine alternatives is effective in helping you quit. It’s a hard battle, but you are capable of quitting cigarettes.
If you’re in need of any more health advice, nicotine-related or otherwise, explore our site for the information you’re looking for.