If you are one of the 34 million Americans who smoke but are trying to stop, then congratulations are in order. Good job! Stopping is going to be hard because nicotine is an addictive drug and smoking is the fastest way to bring nicotine to the brain.

To help quit, some folks can go cold turkey and just stop while others need help transitioning away.

Nicotine Replacement Therapy

When talking with your doctor, they may mention something called nicotine replacement therapy, also referred to as NRT. You may know them better as the FDA-approved therapies such as nicotine skin patches, gum, and lozenges that can help you through the initial part of quitting, by relieving cravings and lessening withdrawal symptoms.  When you use NRTs, you receive measured amounts of nicotine without the toxic chemicals from cigarette smoke. When used properly, NRTs are safe and effective cessation methods and can double the chances of quitting cigarettes successfully

There are many resources to help quitting like this one from the FDA: https://www.fda.gov/tobacco-products/health-effects-tobacco-use/quitting-smoking-and-other-tobacco-public-health-resources