Quitting

Treatment

There are several strategies for treating nicotine withdrawal. Nicotine supplementation in the form of gum or patch can be helpful. A variety of other agents have also been used with some success in maintaining abstinence and reducing withdrawal symptoms.

These agents include clonidine, antidepressants such as fluoxetine (Prozac), and buspirone (Buspar). Bupropion (Zyban) was approved in 1996 by the Food and Drug Administration as a treatment for nicotine dependence.

Using buproprion or nicotine replacement therapies alone doubles the odds of successful quitting. Using a combination of these methods increases success rates even more.

Buproprion and other antidepressants are not habit-forming, and may help reduce the possibility that nicotine withdrawal may lead to depression.

Since nicotine itself has antidepressant effects - and many smokers unknowingly smoke to self-medicate depression - use of antidepressants to relieve withdrawal may be particularly helpful.

A screening for depression may also be helpful to ensure proper treatment and increase the odds of maintaining abstinence.

People trying to quit smoking often become discouraged when they don't succeed at first. Research shows that the more times you try, the more likely you are to succeed - so don't give up!