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Assessing
Your Readiness to Quit
Step
3
Assess
Your Addiction to Nicotine
Nicotine
is a drug found naturally in the tobacco
leaf. Recently,
we have learned some tobacco companies actually
add more nicotine to cigarettes in the
manufacturing process. Nicotine is a very addictive drug. For some people, it can be as addictive as heroin or cocaine.
Within seconds of taking a puff of smoke,
nicotine travels to the brain.
It tells the brain to release chemicals
that make you want to smoke more.
Answer
these questions to find out if you have a strong
addiction to nicotine:
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Yes
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No
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Do
you smoke your first cigarette when you
first wake up in the morning?
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Do
you smoke 20 cigarettes (one pack) or more
each day?
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At
times when you can’t smoke or haven’t
got any cigarettes, do you feel a craving
for one?
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Is
it tough for you to keep from smoking for
more than a few minutes?
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When
you are sick enough to stay in bed, do you
still smoke?
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Interpretation:
The more “yes” answers you gave, the
more likely you are to have a strong addiction
to the nicotine in cigarettes. If you answered “yes” to more than two questions, a
nicotine substitute, such as nicotine gum or a
patch, may help you gradually break your
addiction.
Nicotine
Substitutes
Two
nicotine substitutes, a patch and gum, are
available without a doctor’s prescription.
The nicotine patch and gum help lessen
the urge to smoke and about double your chances
of quitting.
The nicotine in the patch and gum comes
in several strengths.
Choose the strength that matches your
level of addiction.
Recently, a nicotine inhaler has become
available.
It is extremely important to follow the
directions carefully when using the patch, gum,
or inhaler.
Read the information in the package and
ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice if
necessary.
Important
Precautions
·
While
you may still get cravings to smoke, don’t
smoke while using the patch or gum.
·
If
you are pregnant or have heart or blood vessel
problems, talk with your doctor before trying
the gum or patch.
·
If
you have any side effects from the patch or gum,
be sure to tell your doctor right away.
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Nicotine
Patch
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Nicotine
Gum
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Full
strength:
15 to 22 mg of nicotine
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Strengths:
2 mg and 4 mg doses
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Weaker
strength:
5 to 14 mg of nicotine
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Directions
for Use:
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At
the start of each day, a new patch is
placed on a part of the body between the
neck and the waist.
Each day, the patch is moved to a
new spot to lessen skin irritation.
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The
gum must be chewed in a special way to
make it work.
It is chewed slowly until a
“peppery” taste comes out. Then, the gum is placed between the cheek and gum.
Each piece of gum should be used
for about 30 minutes.
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Treatment
Period:
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The
patch is usually used for up to eight
weeks.
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People
often chew too few pieces of gum per day
and for too few weeks to get the most
benefit from using it.
A fixed schedule (at least one
piece every one to two hours for at least
one to three months) may give the best
results.
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Side
Effects:
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Some
people who use the patch get a rash on
their body where the patch is placed.
Skin rashes are usually mild and
easily treated.
Moving the patch to another area of
the body helps.
Read the package insert for other
possible side effects.
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Some
people develop mild side effects such as
hiccups, upset stomach, or jaw ache.
Most of these side effects go away
if the gum is used correctly.
Read the package insert for other
possible side effects.
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Costs:
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Average
cost for a course of treatment is about
$130 to $220.
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If you feel you are heavily addicted to cigarettes,
speak to your doctor about ZYBAN, a new
prescription medication which may help you.
It takes about one week for the medicine
in ZYBAN tablets to reach the right levels in
the body. To have the best chance of
quitting smoking, you should take ZYBAN for at
least 1 week before your quit date. ZYBAN
helps decrease nicotine withdrawal symptoms and
the urge to smoke. However, just like
nicotine gum and patches, it must be used
together with a behavior modification program
such as INTERxVENT's "Becoming
Smoke Free".
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