Stop Smoking Consultation

Quitting smoking is a process, and it can take some people longer to fully quit for good. While the physical addiction usually begins to subside within a few weeks, the habitual and psychological side can take much longer to overcome.

Stop smoking treatments like Varenicline can shorten this significantly. For many people, all it takes is the cycle of addiction to be broken for them to lose the cravings, and medical treatments make this easier to achieve. For others, it can take months of discipline to retrain their minds and change their relationship with nicotine.

Yes, quitting smoking can be very difficult when you have a nicotine addiction, and it can take a great deal of willpower to stop for good. That’s why stop smoking treatments are used by many who haven’t been able to quit without help. By making smoking less rewarding, reducing cravings, and easing withdrawal symptoms, they offer a significantly better chance of success.

The occasional nicotine craving is entirely possible, even after you haven’t smoked for months, or even years. However, the longer you don’t smoke, the less common and intense cravings will be. For long-term success, try to avoid triggers such as alcohol and stress.

Stop smoking treatments like Varenicline and Bupropion work in different ways to help you quit smoking.

Varenicline and Cytisinicline work by binding to nicotine receptors in the brain. This helps to reduce the pleasure derived from smoking and also eases withdrawal symptoms and cravings, making it easier to quit.

Bupropion works a little differently. Instead of directly targeting nicotine receptors, Bupropion affects brain chemicals involved in mood and reward, particularly dopamine and norepinephrine. This improves mood, reduces cravings, and eases withdrawal symptoms.

Varenicline (Champix) is generally considered the most effective smoking cessation treatment, and is often prescribed first before others are considered. However, this does not mean Varenicline is the right treatment for you. If it has not worked in the past, another may work better in its place.

Possible side effects of stop smoking treatments include:

• inflammation of the nose and throat
• trouble sleeping
• headache
• nausea
• changes to weight and/or appetite
• skin rash
• joint or muscle pain
• sleepiness or dizziness
• gastrointestinal issues (e.g. heartburn, vomiting, constipation)
• coughing or shortness of breath

Please note that this is not an exhaustive list. For a full list of side effects of your chosen smoking cessation treatment, see the patient information leaflet found with your medicine.

Nicotine cravings can vary from person to person, but they are generally described as a sudden, intense urge to smoke.

This can affect you mentally, where you may find it hard to focus on anything else, but it can also cause physical symptoms, like restlessness, tingling, or an empty feeling in your chest or stomach.

While this can feel intense in the moment, cravings usually peak within the first few days after quitting, and typically last for only 3-4 weeks while your body gets used to the absence of nicotine.

Yes, in most cases, it is perfectly safe to use nicotine replacement products such as patches or gum while taking prescription smoking cessation treatments, and many people find this makes quitting easier.

However, you still need to ask your doctor first, as they may not recommend it. For some, still ingesting nicotine, even if not through cigarettes, can make it harder to break your dependence on the substance.

Smoking while taking stop smoking treatments is generally discouraged, except for the period between when you start taking it and your quit date, which depends on the treatment. However, it won’t necessarily ruin your attempt to quit.

If you smoke while on treatment it’s important to:

• continue your treatment as prescribed
• identify your triggers so you can avoid them in the future
• tell your doctor so they can offer expert guidance

Remember, a temporary slip-up does not mean you have failed.