Key takeaways
- GPs offer personalized plans and effective tools.
- Access nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) and pharmacy vaping products.
- Effective assessments and adjustments during regular check-ins.
- GPs provide peace of mind and coping strategies.
- Experience and knowledge increase chances of success.
Motivated people trying to quit smoking have access to all of the resources necessary to go through the quit process successfully. They can easily create a supportive environment that encourages them to stop smoking and can celebrate their wins and rewards with every milestone.
But your friend, parent, or partner might not accurately assess your quitting progress or provide the best solutions to help you get through the worst of the process.
For most smokers, going to a GP feels like a last resort, but it shouldn’t be the case. Over the years, many successful quitters have worked with a GP with a tailor-made plan and effective tools.
In today’s post, we’ll learn the three benefits of working with a GP on your quit journey.
Chat to a prescriber
Bulk-billed phone consultations
TGA-authorised clinicians
Nicotine vaping scripts available
1. The Right Tools and Medication
Imagine – your roof had a problem after a storm. You wouldn’t trust just anybody to fix your roof unless they have the right experience, knowledge, and tools for the job.
The same can be said for GPs – they have spent decades learning from and working with motivated smokers just like you. GPs have seen every kind of challenge, success, failure, and recovery a person trying to quit smoking would go through during a quitting process.
When you start your quit smoking journey, GPs can personalise a quitting plan based on your needs. As part of this plan, they may provide access to nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) tools and pharmacy-accessed nicotine vaping products (NVPs) to help you get through the hard times.
More About NRTs
NRT products are lozenges, inhalers, and other tools that contain a small amount of nicotine to cushion the drop of nicotine levels in your system – the primary cause of withdrawal symptoms. Knowing that NRT tools don’t always work for everyone, GPs can now also prescribe you pharmacy NVPs if deemed necessary.
More About Pharmacy NVPs
NVPs sold in pharmacies are made under stringent pharmaceutical standards on the manufacturing process and ingredients, are toxicologically assessed for inhalation, are locally insured, and are specifically designed to help you stop smoking.
Even if they’re second-line options, the latest Cochrane Review found high-certainty evidence that NVPs are more effective than NRT in helping people stop smoking.
Choosing The Right Tools
You might argue that you can always quit on your own because you don’t really need a prescription to purchase NRTs, and you can buy NVPs illegally from your local tobacconist.
It’s worth mentioning that NRTs are far more effective if you’re following a tailor-made smoking cessation plan, and illicit NVPs from tobacconists and corner stores are not only illegal, but may be gravely dangerous to your health.
2. Effective Assessments
With their experience, GPs can really emphathise with what you’re going through and will go through the quitting process with you – they’re truly in the best position to assess your ongoing progress.
What to Expect During Assessments
During your regular check-ins, they’ll ask about the difficulties and symptoms you’ve gone through so far, and if the tools, strategy and guidance they’ve provided have been effective. If you’re struggling, they can adjust your plan on the spot and get you back on track.
They’ll also likely ask you to be honest about whether you’ve lit a cigarette in the last few weeks. Don’t worry, GPs won’t lecture or judge you about this. It’s simply to assess the suitability of the programme you’re on.
3. Peace of Mind
Again, GPs have decades of experience and knowledge working with all kinds of people on this journey. Aside from never judging you for anything and being your biggest cheerleader, GPs can also help you understand that the withdrawals, cravings, and other things you’re feeling are completely normal and manageable.
Withdrawals can feel very overwhelming, and can feel impossible for some people. While symptoms and cravings are safe (regardless of how excruciating they might feel), a GP can give you peace of mind as you go through them.
GPs are always there to help you with various withdrawal coping strategies and to allay your fears to assure you that you’re not alone throughout your journey.
Summary
We have full confidence in every motivated smoker trying to quit that they can be successful if they have focus and determination. But, a GP’s expertise and knowledge are invaluable as it significantly increases your chance of succeeding by giving you the path and tools you need.
Keep in mind that many GPs are always ready to listen and have you start on your quit journey at any time.
If you’ve been trying to quit smoking for the longest time, it’s time to work with a GP and get on the road to kicking cigarettes out of your life for good.
You’re probably here because you want to quit smoking and find a GP who can work with you. You’re in the right place.
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.