You might be worried about the effect tobacco is having on your health, and for good reason. Tobacco causes cancer and makes almost all diseases harder to manage. Quitting is not easy, but it is possible, and we are here to help!
If you answer YES to three or more of the following, you may have tobacco use disorder.
Tobacco and vapes are addictive because they contain nicotine. Nicotine is a chemical that tricks your brain into making a hormone called dopamine that temporarily makes you feel good. Your brain and body gets used to this over time and so it takes more and more nicotine to make you feel good. Tobacco contains more than 7,000 other chemicals, many of them are known to cause cancer and other serious health problems.
Some of these include:
Some of these include:
Nicotine Lozenge
You can buy this yourself at the pharmacy or ask your doctor to prescribe it. You suck it and park it between your cheek and gums. It helps with temporary cravings.
Nicotine Gum
You can buy this yourself at the pharmacy or ask your doctor to prescribe it. You chew it until you feel a tingling sensation and then park it between your cheek and gums. It helps with temporary cravings.
Nicotine Nasal Spray
Your doctor can prescribe this. You spray each nostril and it helps reduce cravings.
Nicotine Inhaler
Your doctor can prescribe this. You puff on it and it helps reduce cravings.
Nicotine Patch
You can buy this yourself at the pharmacy or ask your doctor to prescribe it. You apply the patch to a different clean, hairless area every 24 hours. It helps around the clock with tobacco cravings.
Zyban or Wellbutrin
This is a pill that your doctor can prescribe. It does not contain nicotine. It works by helping your mood by allowing your brain to use more dopamine. It also blocks the rewarding effects of nicotine.
Chantix or Varenicline
This is a pill that your doctor can prescribe. It does not contain nicotine. It works by helping you feel some of the positive mood that nicotine provides, while also stopping nicotine from having an effect.