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[Q52]Quit Smoking Support Group

by Peter Howells, Pet

The Zyban quit smoking method involves the subject taking Zyban for about 10 days prior to an agreed quit smoking date. The drug is taken in advance of the actual quit date in order to 'build up' within the subject's metabolism. To this end, Zyban is only prescribed for quitting smoking within a well controlled and doctor lead, regimen.

The Zyban quit smoking method works by reducing nicotine cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Carefully controlled testing of the Zyban quit smoking method against a placebo have shown that the urge to smoke over the 7-week treatment was only 27% likely compared to 56% within the placebo group, or about half as much.

There are other advantages of the Zyban quit smoking method over so-called cold turkey (or placebo). Mood swings in the placebo group were experienced by 32% of quitters as opposed to 21% - a 50% reduction.

However, the main advantages of the Zyban quit smoking method are the actual success rates that one can expect. In placebo groups or those quitting cold turkey, the chance of maintaining a quit was only half as likely as those taking the Zyban quit smoking method. A year after quitting, subjects that used Zyban as part of their quit program were one and a half times more likely to still be smoke free.

However, as laudable as these statistics sound, the likelihood of staying quit by cold turkey remains very low at just 10% at best after 12 months. The Zyban quit smoking method therefore fairs only marginally better at 15% of subjects remaining smoke free after 12 months. Zyban is by no means a magic pill!

Chantix (Champix in the UK) or Varenicline to give its formal name has shown more promise than Zyban as a quit smoking medication. Whilst this article is not aimed at reviewing varenicline, it is only fair to note that 23% of subjects using varenicline remained smoke free after 1 year.

Moving back to the focus of this article though, the Zyban quit smoking method also has some side effects that any would-be 'Zybaner' should consider. Zyban is known to more than double the likelihood of a dry mouth or sore throat during a quit - 7% in placebo v 17% for Zyban. It also increases the likelihood of excessive sweating (2% v 6%), nausea (8% v 17%) and skin rashes (0% v 2%). Indeed the nausea and skin irritation can be severe enough for the treatment to be abandoned.

Finally, the two most notable side effects of the Zyban quit smoking method is the propensity for seizures and there remains a risk of up to 1 in 1000 people suffering from severe seizure. Another is the false positive reading zyban can cause in urine tests for amphetamine - if these form part of your life, be cautious about taking zyban.

Before taking Zyban, it is also important to let your doctor know of any history of seizures, head injury, heart disease, liver problems, kidney problems, eating disorders, any mental conditions, diabetes, alcohol dependence, and allergies. Because Zyban may make you dizzy and affect coordination, you should not drive or operate machinery until you get used to the drug's effects.

You should limit or avoid consumption of alcoholic beverages as alcohol can increase your risk of seizures. Chronic alcohol users who suddenly stop the intake of alcohol while taking Zyban may also increase the risk of having seizures.

Finally, remember that you should ALWAYS consult your doctor before using prescription drugs.

The facts are clear. There is nothing worse you could do to adversely affect your health. Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death. Women are three times more likely to develop lung cancer then men. Cancer has now replaced heart disease as the number one killer of Americans aged 85 and younger. 1/3 of all cancer deaths are related to smoking.

Although there has been a huge decrease in the number of smokers between 1965 and 2000, 22f American adults still continue to smoke. The good news is that surveys have shown that 70f active smokers want to quit.

When you quit smoking the benefits are immediate. Blood cells that transport carbon monoxide from cigarette smoke begin to transport healthy oxygen. Even though quitting doesn't completely eliminate the risk of developing lung cancer, the risk of lung cancer starts to decline. One year after quitting smoking your chances of having a heart attack drops by half. The risk of lung cancer continues to decline and drop dramatically five to ten years after quitting. So we know that quitting is essential to enjoying a long and healthy life. The question is how do you pick the right way to stop smoking for you?

The first thing you need to know is that most smokers quit unsuccessfully several times before they quit for good. You will most likely not be successful your first time around - but you must still try! Each time you attempt to quit you come closer to finally quitting for good.

There are many organizations available to help you take control of your health and quit smoking. Most smokers find a greater success rate in groups. Organizations such as SmokEnders have community based seminars and will come to the workplace to counsel smokers. SmokEnders is a gradual stop smoking program that says it's success is based on treating the physical and the psychological aspects of smoking. They offer unlimited toll-free phone counseling.

Some people prefer to try to stop cold turkey. They stop smoking completely with little or no reduction in the number of cigarettes they smoke beforehand. As with any smoker who quits, those who quit cold turkey will experience the withdrawal symptoms of irritability, increased appetite and restlessness. For someone trying to stop smoking cold turkey help can be obtained using medications such as Zyban which lessens withdrawal symptoms. Zyban can only be obtained with a prescription.

Some smokers obtain relief from smoking withdrawal with a nicotine replacement commonly known as a nicotine patch. Patches are used for up to eight weeks. Nicotine patches are available over the counter. It is suggested that you talk to your doctor before trying any over the counter nicotine replacement therapy.

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Both Peter Howells & Jane Olsson are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

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