Comparison Study on Smoking Cessation

This essay compares and contrasts two smoking cessation techniques - cold turkey method and nicotine replacement therapy. It discusses their benefits and drawbacks and highlights the importance of familial support and personal strength in smoking cessation. The essay also mentions the FDA-approved nicotine replacement therapy products and their safety for adults. The subject is smoking cessation, and the document type is an essay. No course code, course name, or college/university is mentioned.

Running head: COMPARISON STUDY ON SMOKING CESSATION
Comparison study on smoking cessation
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COMPARISON STUDY ON SMOKING CESSATION
One of the greatest societal threat in the present day society is the smoking and the
detrimental impact of the smoking upon the health and welfare of not just the smoker, but
their family, friends and surroundings (Weinberger et al., 2018). Lung cancer is one of the
most detrimental diseases which affects the most of society, irrespective of age, gender and
social standing. Even though the awareness regarding the smoking is increasing, there is very
limited success in smoking cessation (Lancaster & Stead, 2017). This essay will discuss the
impact of two separate smoking cessation techniques, comparing and contrasting the benefits
and pitfalls of both techniques.
The first technique to be discussed is cold turkey method, one of the most abundantly
used and traditional methods to quit smoking. This particular method can be considered as
one of the toughest and challenging methods of smoking cessation, although it is also one of
the methods which can be successfully completed without any assistance. Cold turkey
technique is the technique which can be completed by giving up smoking completely and
abruptly by the smoker. This technique does not require the additional assistance of the
nicotine replacement therapy products or any other assorted kind of tobacco addiction
stopping drugs. Although, even though the procedure is reported to be extremely easy and
simple to complete, there are certain complications associated with the technique. The next
method chosen to be discussed is the assistance based smoking cessation, which is nicotine
replacement therapy. Nicotine replacement therapy is associated with replacing the addiction
to nicotine with something less potentially harmful to the health of smokers and help them
overcome the pull of addiction. One major point of similarity between cold turkey and
nicotine replacement therapy can be accredited to the fact that both the techniques are
directed towards smoking cessation in an individual, with the primary objective of
discontinuing consumption of tobacco that contains nicotine and results in dependence. The
methods take into consideration the fact that nicotine withdrawal would occur

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instantaneously or few weeks after decreasing the intake of nicotine. In addition, another
notable similarity between the methods can be accredited to their success in facilitating ex-
smokers to refrain from consumption of tobacco (Akhavan et al., 2017). While the former
relies on abrupt smoking cessation, the common concept is that nicotine is an addictive
substance present in tobacco and associated products. Thus, cessation of smoking would
result in several intense symptoms in the target population, in the form of reaction of the
body to not getting adequate nicotine content.
In cold turkey method, as the assistance of the nicotine replacement therapy is not
included in the procedure, the need for extreme mental strength is extremely required for the
procedure (Patel, Patel & Patel, 2016). Although many authors observed for severe chain
smokers, who smoke more than 10 cigarettes a day are not eligible to quit smoking using the
cold turkey method. Elaborating more, as smoking can be triggered easily by stress and
fatigue, these two particular factors can easily trigger the smoking habits for the candidate
(Smith, Miller & Mounsey, 2017). Hence, being able to overcome stressors is a very
important aspect associated for the success of the cold turkey method. The risk of relapse,
withdrawal and psychological impacts due to the abrupt stopping is extremely high. The
cravings are a fundamental aspect associated with the cold turkey method of smoking
cessation. Overcoming the urge or craving has been reported to be an extremely difficult or
challenging aspect associated with the cold turkey method of smoking cessation. The familial
support along with personal strength is very useful in case of the cold turkey method of
smoking cessation (Miller, 2017). However, another similarity between the two method can
be accredited to the fact that either sudden or gradual cessation of tobacco consumption in
cold turkey and BRT, respectively, brings about a significant decrease in the heart rate and
blood pressure. Furthermore, showing adherence to either of the two methods proves
effective in enhancing recovery of the nerve endings and brings about a noteworthy

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improvement in lung function and circulation, within few months (Jha et al., 2015). Thus,
both the methods recognise the health benefits of the process.
The food and drug administration panel or FDA has approved five particular
medications for the purpose which delivers nicotine in a form which eliminates the risk of
addiction. The five forms include nicotine patches, nicotine nasal sprays, nicotine inhalers,
nicotine gums, and nicotine lozenges. This particular technique is most suitable for the
individuals that are dealing with very complicated withdrawal symptoms, or are facing
extreme difficulty in smoking cessation without assistance. Challenging withdrawal and
irresistible cravings for nicotine is a very pressing contributor for the relapses for the smokers
that try to stop smoking with non-assistive measures. Similarly, for chain- smokers that
smoke more than 10 cigarettes, the nicotine replacement therapy can be extremely useful
(Hartmann‐Boyce et al., 2018). Although the mental strength and the will to stop using
tobacco is the most important factor for smoking cessation, the physical dependency on
nicotine often complicates the process for chain smokers. Nicotine replacement therapy can
act as hindrance and overcome the challenges posed in front of the strong willed individual
trying to quit smoking by physical dependence. Another very important or notable benefit of
the nicotine replacement therapy is the safety recommendation by the FDA. The FDA has
considered nicotine replacement therapy to be a safe technique to be used for adults across all
age groups and conditions (Patel, Patel & Patel, 2016). For acute physical dependence,
nicotine replacement therapy can be extremely useful for smoking cessation, especially for
smokers with extreme physical dependence. The major difference between the two
techniques is that, while the cold turkey method prevents people from taking outside support
for quitting smoking, support from friends and family members, and a well-formulated
regimen is required for the implementation of nicotine replacement therapy. However,
similarities exist in relation to withdrawal symptoms of the patients who commonly

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experience fatigue, depression, lack of concentration, and irritability.
On a concluding note, both techniques compared, without assistance and with
assistance has their own sets of advantages and drawbacks. Whereas, the cold turkey method
is associated with no assistance of any replacement or alternative drug, the nicotine
replacement therapy is extremely useful for the people that are extremely physically
dependant. Although, the nicotine replacement therapy is more effective, systematic and
efficient for the people with physical dependence, hence it can be considered a more effective
technique to quit smoking as compared to cold turkey method.

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