by jasonP

Quitting smoking is very difficult. Research has shown that quitters have much greater success when they incorporate peer-support resources and medical assistance into their attempt. Fortunately, every state in the U.S. has a Quit Line peer-support program.  In fact, medical assistance options are so effective that many states will offer them to uninsured and low-income program participants for free or at a discounted price.

The problem is this, there are two common types of medical assistance: 1. Nicotine Replacement Therapies (NRTs), like nicotine patches, gums, and lozenges, and 2. prescription medications which treat withdrawal symptoms. Most states favor the less-expensive (and over-the-counter) NRT options. Unfortunately, this is often a non-solution. Many people simply transfer their nicotine addiction to the new medium. It is not uncommon to see an ex-smoker who has been using nicotine gum for many years. The withdrawal medications are generally better at breaking a smoker’s addiction to nicotine.

So, what is a smoker to do? The first step is to contact your local Quit Line. A list of all the state resources is available here. They can help you set up a “Quit Date,” prepare for the process, and provide support and counseling. The next step should be to get some real assistance with kicking the nicotine addiction. Quitting is hard enough. You should do everything you can to maximize your chance for success. If you want to try Chantix, you can visit www.kwikmed.com to get a licensed prescription, from a U.S. doctor, delivered right to your door. KwikMed also offers a Chantix Forum for continued support throughout your journey to become smoke-free.