Some people see quitting as a private battle between themselves and cigarettes. But getting help isn't a sign of weakness or lack of will power – it's a smart way to quit.
There are a few different support tools you can consider when you're putting together your plan to quit:
- get some coaching
- use medication
- gather information
- get help from family and friends.
Get some coaching
A coach gives you structure, motivation, support, new skills and confidence. It's so much harder to get these things when you're trying to quit on your own. Getting a coach gives you a much bigger chance of staying quit for longer.
The more times you've tried to quit and the less confident you are, the more coaching you're likely to need. Here are some good coaches:
Call the Quitline on 13 7848 (13 QUIT)
The Quitline is a confidential telephone quitting information and advice service. Professional telephone advisors provide strategies and support to help you quit. They really understand how hard it is to give up smoking. And all this just for the cost of a local call (higher from mobiles).
To find out more, watch our video featuring a smoker who has used the Quitline.
Go online with the Quit Coach
The QuitCoach is a free online tool giving ideas and suggestions that are relevant to you It does this after you have answered some questions about your lifestyle and your smoking. The Quit Coach can help you before, during and after you quit.
Talk to your doctor, pharmacist or other health professional
Doctors and pharmacists are good sources of advice about quitting, especially for advice on quit smoking medications. You will need to see a doctor if you're considering using prescription quitting medications.
It's also important to see your doctor if you've suffered from a mental illness or are taking medication for one. If you have asthma, diabetes or other health problems it can be useful to discuss quitting with a health professional. See your doctor regularly while you're quitting, and seek advice if you experience symptoms that worry you. The Quitline can also offer advice and support while you're quitting.
Use medication
There are many products suitable for nicotine-addicted smokers who want help to quit smoking.
Quitting medications reduce withdrawal symptoms such as cravings, irritability, mood swings and anxiety. Medications don't usually stop withdrawal symptoms altogether. Most people's smoking is also linked to habits and emotions. So you're likely to get some cravings when you're in situations where you used to smoke. Remember that coaching can help you handle these times and adjust to life without cigarettes.
There are two kinds of medication:
1. Nicotine replacement products
Nicotine replacement products such as patches, gum, lozenges, tablets and inhalers, work by replacing some of the nicotine you usually get from cigarettes. Nicotine by itself has not been shown to cause cancer. Because nicotine products do not have all the other dangerous chemicals in tobacco smoke, they are much safer than smoking.
Your doctor or pharmacist can explain to you how to use these products and which one might be best for you.
2. Prescription medications
Prescription medications such as varenicline (Champix) or bupropion, must be discussed with your doctor as they are not suitable for everyone.
Gather information
Talk to people who have quit about how they did it. You could join the Quit forum on Facebook or check out what's being said on Twitter. There are also lots of websites that may be useful.
Remember, different things work for different people. So when you're seeking help to quit smoking, make sure you choose a method you feel comfortable with and that suits your lifestyle.
Get help from family and friends
The support and encouragement of friends and family is important, but sometimes others can hinder your efforts.
If you do talk to your friends and family about your quitting, explain how they can help – for example, by not offering you cigarettes if they smoke, or by being patient if you are a bit irritable at first.
Quitting with a friend can be useful as you can help each other through the hard times.