Alternative Therapies and Treatments for Nicotine Dependence

Don’t hesitate to grab all the help you can get for your quit-smoking journey.

Consulting a GP can give you the proper guidance you need to quit successfully. 

Professionals can also help you use nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) safely and effectively, whether it’s patches, sprays, or something else.

Besides the usual NRT products and common treatments for nicotine addiction, there are other options you might want to explore. 

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Keep reading to discover therapies and treatments that have already helped some smokers kick the habit for good—and might just work for you too.

Hypnotherapy

You’ve probably seen it in movies where hypnotherapy is used to tackle issues like depression, insomnia, and other psychological challenges. 

When it comes to quitting smoking, hypnosis is used to help guide smokers into a deeply relaxed and suggestible state.

Hypnotherapists suggest that while you’re in this state, they can make suggestions to your subconscious to help you overcome those cravings and withdrawal symptoms. 

To manage your expectations, there’s not a lot of solid evidence supporting hypnotherapy as a highly effective method for quitting smoking.

If you decide to give it a go, set your expectations realistically—you might still find yourself reaching for a cigarette, especially if you don’t have a supportive environment around you. 

Before undergoing hypnotherapy, try to secure a strong support system, as it’s crucial for quitting effectively.

Acupuncture

Guided “energy flow” inside the body using needles is the promise of acupuncture. Some former smokers attest to how this method helped them manage their nicotine withdrawals and cravings.

In acupuncture, the focus is on removing the blockages and disruptions in the body’s energy flow. Otherwise, these blockages can lead to pain, illness, or other health problems, such as smoking addiction.

Here’s how it works: an acupuncturist inserts needles into specific points of the body, which is said to help remove these blocks, promote healing, and restore balance to the body.

When it comes to its direct effectiveness in helping smokers quit, there is very little evidence that it helps your body recover or stop depending on nicotine. 

Researchers suggest that acupuncture primarily creates a placebo effect, activating the body’s natural way of fighting pain or withdrawals.

Experts also warn that inserting needles into various parts of your body can be dangerous. 

Acupuncture may seem promising, you can just keep on exploring other safer and more effective ways to quit smoking in the long term.

Aversive Conditioning

One of the most controversial alternative smoking cessation treatments is aversive conditioning. It involves making cigarette smoking such a repulsive activity that you want to get rid of it. For example, a special bracelet could deliver a small shock to your wrist whenever you reach for a cigarette.

Some people may have seen success with this treatment, but having to hurt yourself to quit smoking is dangerous. Moreover, studies have shown it doesn’t help many smokers looking to quit.

Mindfulness and Meditation

These two are promising alternative treatments for nicotine addiction. In fact, many GPs and smoking cessation communities have seen mindfulness and meditation help quitters achieve success.

Mindfulness is the practice of being fully present when doing something. During extreme withdrawals and cravings, you’re encouraged to write about how you feel in a journal to be aware of your feelings and keep your actions in check.

Meditation focuses on clearing the mind by focusing on your breathing, a sound, or anything that can centre your mind to block everything out.

Mindfulness and meditation therapy is seen to have a role in smoking cessation, but it doesn’t mean they’re the best solution on their own. Used alongside a GP’s guidance, mindfulness and meditation make it much easier to stop smoking for good.

Nicotine Vaping Products (NVPs)

Why are NVPs considered an alternative therapy? Well, they’re currently regulated as ‘second-line treatments’, only to be considered after approved therapies (such as NRT) have failed.

You can only legally access NVPs under prescription at a local pharmacy if your GP sees that you’ve used an NRT before and it hasn’t helped you quit. 

Many people have attributed their success to NVPs because they imitate the hand-to-mouth gesture and ‘puff’ of a real cigarette without the dangerous chemicals and harms that come from cigarette smoke.

The latest Cochrane Review has found high-certainty evidence that nicotine e-cigarettes (NVPs) are more effective than NRT in helping people quit smoking.

The Best Method to Quit Smoking: A Strong Motivation to Quit

For middle-aged Australian smokers looking to quit, finding a strong motivation to quit is the first and crucial step. Reflect on why you want to quit – whether it’s for your health, family, or overall well-being. Aside from motivation, the following steps to quit smoking require no special processes or tools – just remembering an objective every time cravings strike.

Have a Good Diet

A healthy diet is worthwhile in any effort to quit smoking. Include fruits, vegetables, and whole grains in your meals to provide essential nutrients that support your body through the quitting process. Consider snacks like crunchy veggies or nuts to keep your hands and mouth busy when cravings strike while avoiding possible weight gain. Proper hydration can also assist in flushing out toxins from your body.

Exercise and Physical Activity

Engaging in regular physical activity is an excellent method to quit smoking. Exercise not only helps distract you from cravings but also releases endorphins, reducing stress and improving your mood. Find an activity you enjoy, whether walking, cycling, or joining a fitness class, and make it a regular routine that contributes to your overall well-being and reinforces your commitment to a healthier lifestyle.

Recreational Projects

Keeping yourself occupied with recreational projects is an easy way to quit smoking. Find activities that capture your interest and divert your attention from cravings. Whether learning a new hobby, gardening, or pursuing a creative outlet, these projects provide a positive and constructive focus that aligns with your goal of quitting smoking.

A Strong Support Group

Building a strong support group is one of the key strategies for quitting smoking. Share your journey with friends and family, or join a support network where others are on the same path. Discussing how you quit smoking and exchanging quitting smoking strategies with peers can provide valuable insights and encouragement during challenging moments.

Regular Consultations with GPs

GPs can offer personalized advice, prescribe medications if necessary, and monitor your progress. They can provide insights into how to stop smoking immediately and offer strategies for staying smokefree. These consultations serve as a crucial part of your overall plan, ensuring you have professional guidance throughout your journey to quit smoking.

Summary

An alternative smoking addiction treatment may have helped some people finally kick the habit, but it doesn’t mean it’ll work for you. Some of these treatments are potentially dangerous, too. Don’t jump right into it – we strongly advise that you consult with a GP about the safety and efficacy of your chosen treatment first, and see what their recommendation is for you.

At the end of the day, a supportive environment, changing your activities, and managing your withdrawals are still the most effective ways to stop smoking.

You’re probably reading this because you want to see if alternative therapies are really helpful for quitting smoking and if it’s backed by medical science. Unfortunately, not all of them work for everyone. 

But we do know a way that gives you the best chance of pulling through.

Smokefree Clinic gives you access to many medically reviewed and trustworthy resources that can inform and aid you in your path to wellness, so have a look around! 

If you’re ready to get started, Smokefree can connect you to Australian healthcare professionals who excel in helping patients quit smoking for good.

Link Reference:

• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24559809/
• https://www.cochrane.org/CD000009/TOBACCO_do-acupuncture-and-related-therapies-help-smokers-who-are-trying-to-quit
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7045729/
• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27044630/
• https://www.cochrane.org/news/latest-cochrane-review-finds-high-certainty-evidence-nicotine-e-cigarettes-are-more-effective