Nicotine Replacement Therapies

Nicotine replacement therapies (known also as NTRs) work by providing doses of nicotine to the body through the day. This measured doses help to ease the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal. One of the advantages of NRTs (nicotine replacement therapies) is that they do not contain any carcinogenic chemicals, as cigarettes do. They only contain nicotine. 
 
NRTs allow their user to gradually reduce the amount of each dose, until you reach to zero. There are many forms of NRTs therapies which include patches, gums, tablets, inhalers, lozenges, and sprays.  Almost all of them are available as over the counter medications.                              
 
If you are a heavy smoker, from 20 cigarettes per day and up, you will need to start with higher doses. Once you began the treatment you should continue with it for at least 8 to 12 weeks for having the best chance to succeed. As you advance the treatment, the doses of nicotine is reduced until its stopped completely. But NRTs alone will not make you quit smoking, you will still need strong will to break the habit. It’s specially good if you can get advice from a doctor, a nurse or a psychologist.
 
Manufacturers of NRTs also provide support in the form of telephone counseling and other ways. Watch for those before you start your program. In that way you will be more likely to succeed. 
 
Are NRTs really effective to quit smoking?  
Several studies have shown that the possibility of having success to stop smoking increases in around 70% when you take some form of NRTs compared to a placebo. If you combine some form of NRT with counseling the chances increase even more. Which kind of NRT is best suited for you depend on your personal preferences. Most of the products state the amount of nicotine you will be taking. You can compare this with the amount of nicotine that comes in the daily number of cigarettes that you smoke to have an idea of what doses you should take.