Tobacco use, whether through smoking, chewing or other forms, is a leading cause of preventable diseases and death. But the good news is that quitting tobacco can dramatically improve your health and wellbeing, with positive results happening almost immediately.
Let's look at why it’s so important to stop using tobacco, how a tobacco cessation program can help you on your journey, the role doctors and health coaches can play and what else can support your efforts.
Why Quitting Tobacco Is Important
Tobacco use is linked to many serious health conditions, no matter how it's consumed. Smoking is well-known for its connection to lung cancer, heart disease and chronic respiratory conditions. Smokeless tobacco products like chewing tobacco and snuff increase the risk of oral cancer, gum disease, tooth decay and pancreatic cancer. No matter how you use tobacco, it can lead to nicotine addiction, making it difficult to quit.
When you quit tobacco, within hours your blood pressure and heart rate begin to go back to normal. Over time, your risk of developing tobacco-related diseases lowers greatly. Beyond the physical benefits, quitting tobacco can improve your mental health, improve your quality of life and save you money.
How Our Tobacco Cessation Program Can Help
Quitting tobacco can be hard, especially because of the addictive nature of nicotine. First Stop Health's tobacco cessation program provides the structured support necessary to overcome this addiction. Your health coach will customize a care plan that includes a combination of behavioral counseling, education and tools to help you manage cravings and avoid triggers.
Regular check-ins with your coach can keep you motivated and help adjust your quitting plan as needed, ensuring you have the best chance of success.
In addition to the support of your health coach, your First Stop Health primary care doctor can be a crucial partner in your effort to quit tobacco. They can prescribe medications that can ease withdrawal symptoms and reduce cravings.
Prescription Medications to Help You Quit
Several prescription medications are available to help you quit tobacco by addressing withdrawal symptoms and reducing cravings. These include:
- Varenicline (Chantix): Varenicline helps by blocking the rewarding effects of nicotine in the brain, making tobacco use less satisfying. It also reduces withdrawal symptoms.
- Bupropion (Zyban): Originally used as an antidepressant, bupropion has proven effective in helping people quit tobacco by decreasing cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
- Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT): Although often available over the counter, NRT can also be prescribed by a doctor. It provides a controlled dose of nicotine through patches, gum, lozenges, inhalers or nasal sprays to help you gradually reduce your dependency.
- Combination Therapy: In some cases, a combination of medications may be recommended to increase the likelihood of quitting successfully. Talk with your doctor to find out if any of these medications would be helpful to you.
Quitting tobacco is a powerful step toward better health and a higher quality of life. Every effort you make to quit brings you closer to a tobacco-free life. With determination and the support of the First Stop Health team, you can achieve your goal!
Care you will love.