Most of us who smoke are aware of Nicotine Replacement Therapy, or NRT, in some form.
This quit smoking aid is currently the most common next to simply quitting 'cold turkey' (without any aids or programs).
NRT currently includes a wide range of delivery products, including skin patches, chewing gum, sublingual (under the tongue) tablets, lozenges, inhalers, nasal spray, and even nicotine enhanced bottled drinking water! With all these products, the intention is to deliver nicotine to your body at approximately one-half to one-quarter the rate of a cigarette.
Then, over time, you gradually reduce the dosage until you no longer feel 'addicted' to the nicotine.
At this point, your chances of successfully having quit smoking are approximately 6%, or about double cold turkey.
Obviously, skepticism regarding this most common treatment method is warranted, judging by the numbers.
While usually not very cost prohibitive, continued use of these products does add up over time.
Also, you will continue to endure the side effects of nicotine consumption during use, albeit milder.
And the chances of quitting are not significantly better than your use of 'willpower' alone.
There is also a probability that you will remain addicted to nicotine, or even smoke during the program..
which could lead to a nicotine overdose.
Finally, there is usually no attempt made to address the actual 'habit formation' by your emotions with these methods..
which we all know tends to be stronger than the drug addiction itself.
Today we have enough information available to make the wisest choice possible regarding the method we choose to quit smoking.
Sometimes the status quo is not the best idea.