Everyone knows smoking is harmful, but millions of Americans still keep up the habit.
Unfortunately, walking away from tobacco and nicotine products for good is much easier said than done.
However, there are products that can significantly help you take charge of your health and leave cigarettes behind.
Here are the top over the counter products and online resources to help ease you out of your nicotine addiction.
Patches
You can absorb just about anything through your skin, and the same is true for nicotine.
That is what makes nicotine patches so effective.
They come in varying dosages so you can choose the strength of the patch to fit your needs.
Once you find the dose you’d like to start at, you can transition to a slightly smaller dose.
Once you’re used to that, you can decrease once more and repeat as you train your body to need less and less nicotine until you no longer need it at all.
Lozenges
Nicotine lozenges are an excellent way to curb your cravings.
They’re easy to find, come in pleasant flavors, and you can keep them with you to use whenever a craving hits.
Whether you’re caught by surprise or the urge to smoke comes like clockwork, having a nicotine lozenge on hand will give you a smarter alternative to reach for and help you fight the temptation to light a cigarette.
Gum
Like the lozenges, nicotine gum can be very helpful in overcoming cravings that would otherwise drive you towards a cigarette.
If you miss the physical process of smoking as much as the contents of the cigarettes, gum gives your mouth something to do and might be the alternative activity that is most helpful for you.
The movement of chewing is different to that of smoking, but the repetitiveness can serve to replace the same aspect of smoking.
You won’t have a cigarette in your mouth, but your mouth won’t be empty either.
BecomeAnEx
BecomeAnEx is a free digital resource from the Truth Initiative to help smokers formulate and execute plans to end their tobacco use.
The platform includes interactive tools, tips, and guidance.
Expert advice is offered with educational resources from the Mayo Clinic, who partnered with the Truth Initiative to create the program.
They also offer community connections so you can support and receive support and encouragement from others who are trying to stop smoking as well as those who have successfully quit.
After all, no one really knows how difficult it is to stop smoking except other current and former smokers.
Quitter’s Circle
This app does everything it can to set you up for success in your journey away from tobacco.
Not only does it offer a plan, but it also allows friends and family to support your efforts and track your milestones.
Your personal supporters can use the app to follow your progress, see when you need some extra encouragement, and learn more about how to best help you through the process.
Quitter’s Circle uses badges as a reward system for milestones, provides daily reflections, sends reminders for doctor’s appointments, and also shows how much money you are saving by not buying cigarettes.
It also connects to social media platforms for even more accountability and encouragement from others.
No matter what has prompted you to give up cigarettes, you do not have to do it alone.
It is a daunting endeavor for many smokers, but you can easily access all the resources you need.
There are programs to help you stay strong and receive encouragement.
You also have no shortage of products to help with the physical aspect of eventually overcoming your nicotine addiction altogether.