Stopping smoking is one of the most important things people can do to improve their health, but what is the best approach, cold turkey or gradual withdrawal?
Why Cold Turkey Quitting Works Better:
A new study in the Annals of Internal Medicine suggests that giving up cigarettes suddenly may be more effective than the slow approach. The research included almost 700 British adults who wanted to quit smoking. They were randomly assigned to gradually decrease their smoking 75 percent over two weeks or to quit smoking abruptly on the first day of the study intervention.
Nicotine Patches for All Who Quit Smoking:
Both groups got nicotine patches and counseling. Those cutting down gradually also got nicotine gum or lozenges to help them.
Following up at both one month and six months after quit day, the researchers found that at one month half of those who’d stopped cold turkey were no longer smoking, compared to 39 percent of the gradual quitters. At six months, 16 percent of the gradual quitters and 22 percent of the abrupt quitters were not smoking.
Smokers who want to quit may need to try several times. This study suggests that quitting all at once might work best. Our late friend Tom Ferguson, MD, author of the No-Nag, No-Guilt, Do-It-Your-Own-Way Guide to Quitting Smoking, would say that you should do what you think is best for you, on your own timeline.
Annals of Internal Medicine, March 14, 2016
8/27/18 redirected to: https://www.peoplespharmacy.com/articles/which-medicine-will-help-you-quit-smoking/
