How does Nicotine Replacement Therapy work?
NRT has helped many people decrease or even stop their dependence on cigarettes. In fact, incorporating nicotine gum or some other form of NRT almost doubles the chance for success in a person who is truly addicted to smoking cigarettes. What these forms of therapies have in common is the slow release (compared to the rapid release from the “hits” of cigarettes) of a reduced strength of nicotine, whose aim is to reduce nicotine cravings. However, it’s important to realize that the separation from you and the tobacco habit is best achieved by the dual approach of NRT and behavioral modification. First, the craving for cigarettes must be controlled. This is where NRT comes in handy. Since everyone is different and smokes at various levels, the use of “continuous” (patch) or “as-needed” (lozenge, gum, etc.) nicotine delivery systems helps to control or suppress withdrawal symptoms like these: • Nervousness • Difficulty concentrating • Headaches • Dizziness • Fatigue • Difficulty falling a
