What is Nicotine Replacement Therapy?
Useful NRT Information
What is nicotine addiction?
Nicotine is a drug that is inhaled from the tobacco in cigarettes. It is delivered into the bloodstream and stimulates the brain.
As the level of nicotine in the blood falls, a regular smoker develops withdrawal symptoms, such as nicotine craving, difficulty concentrating and restlessness. After having the last cigarette, these types of symptoms begin within a short time; when smokers quit smoking the withdrawal symptoms peak after 24 hours and gradually ease over the new few weeks.
Most smokers find it difficult to stop smoking without some help and the nicotine addiction is hard to break and therefore Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) can help considerably.
How does it work?
NRT stops, or reduces, the nicotine withdrawal symptoms, thus eliminating the associated unpleasant feelings. You will still need the determination of wishing to stop smoking and breaking the habit.
How is it used?
- Decide on which type of NRT will suit you best
- Always set a date of when you want to stop and start using NRT immediately
- Do not smoke at the same time as taking NRT.
- You should use NRT regularly at first, and gradually wean yourself off over time
- Use an adequate dose of NRT. The higher doses are used if you smoked more than 18-20 per day.
- Use NRT for at least 6-12 weeks for the best chance of stopping smoking long-term. The dose of NRT is typically reduced in the later part of the course, and then stopped
Combining different NRT products
We would recommend that if you suffer from bad withdrawal symptons, you use patches in conjunction with lozenges, nasal spray, or inhalators. Evidence from research shows that combining these NRT products will provide a significant increase in success rates, compared to just using one NRT product.
