There are several strategies for treating nicotine withdrawal. Nicotine supplementation in the form of gum or patch can be helpful. A variety of other psychopharmacological agents have also been used with some success in maintaining abstinence and reducing withdrawal symptoms from nicotine.
These agents include clonidine, antidepressants, particularly 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 and using a combination of these methods increases success rates even more.
Buproprion and other antidepressants are not habit-forming, and since nicotine withdrawal can increase the odds of depression, and can help reduce this possibility.
Since nicotine itself has antidepressant effects and many smokers unknowingly smoke to self-medicate depression, use of such medications can be particularly helpful for such people.
A screening for depression may be useful as well 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!
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