How do you quit smoking cigarettes and not face weeks and months of torment? That question was initially answered in the 1980s, when the Food and Drug Administration officially approved nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) as the first effective pharmacological treatment for cigarette users. In 1984, medical professionals first offered nicotine gum, followed by the subsequent release of the nicotine patch in the 1990s. Later, both products were available as over-the-counter medications in 1996, and, that same year, patients had the option of purchasing a nasal spray. Finally, in 1998, the nicotine inhaler was released on the market, followed by the nicotine lozenge in 2002. Different doses of the drug are obviously intended for specific classes of smokers, but how does the medication work specifically? Let’s take a closer look at nicotine replacement therapy.
Some Important Facts…First of All
If you are interested in taking part in nicotine replacement therapy, you have to keep a few facts in mind. First of all, you must understand that NRT is not cheating (in regards to full-scale withdrawal), as the gradual reduction of the drug from your body will guarantee an easier detox. However, due to the fact that the products contain nicotine, you can easily become addicted to these substances just as much as cigarettes. Although these products may provide relief during withdrawal, NRT cannot cure you of addiction.
Fighting Fire with Fire
So, why should you consume nicotine to fight nicotine addiction? In essence, NRT does offer you a way to wean off nicotine without having to suffer from withdrawal symptoms that (for lack of a better phrase) would put a damper on your day. Likewise, these products do not contain any of the deadly toxins in tobacco (or tobacco smoke). Nicotine may be addictive, but you are fighting your sickness in a safer way than you would normally.
Nicotine Inhalers vs. E-Cigarettes
Of course, you may have one more question on the table: aren’t nicotine inhalers and e-cigarettes the same tool, basically? On the surface, you might think so, as both items contain nicotine and release puffs of vapor. However, remember that e-cigarettes are manufactured outside medical regulations and contain a variety of heavy metals and dangerous poisons, whereas nicotine inhalers do not. One product is medically-approved, while the other isn’t.
Seeking Treatment for Nicotine Addiction
Besides alcohol and opioids, nicotine might be one of the trickiest drugs on the planet. Although it cannot induce any significant health risks by itself, the substance can still trigger some of the most severe cases of addiction on the planet and can force a person to return to using products that can definitely kill them. However, even if you have become attached to cigarettes, you can always find a way to break away from your deadly habit.
Are you suffering from a severe case of nicotine addiction? Do you have a friend or a family member who is coping with one of these issues, as well? On both accounts, get in touch with Asana Recovery today. Our professional team of counselors and healthcare experts will help you endure the painful process of withdrawal and detox and guide you along the rocky road of rehabilitation. Soon enough, you will experience a faster and much more efficient recovery.
If you want to find out more about our residential treatment or supervised detoxification/withdrawal programs or enroll in one of these programs today, we are ready and waiting to speak with you at your leisure and your disclosure. Call Asana now at (949) 438-4504 to learn how you can overcome your mental illness and take an extra step towards breaking away from opioid addiction.
