Overview
Nicotine Dependence Center
Providing information about tobacco dependence through research, personal stories and personalized treatment programs.
Like most people who smoke or use tobacco or nicotine products, including e-cigarettes, you may have tried to quit. But it's rare to stop on your first try, and even harder without help.
You have a better chance of being tobacco- or nicotine-free for life if you have help and if you make a plan.
Mayo Clinic provides comprehensive, evidence-based care for tobacco and nicotine dependence treatment. Without judgement and with personalized support, staff members offer the most effective medicines, products and services to help you quit.
Your treatment team will give you the skills and support that you need make your decision stick.
Products & Services
Why it's done
People who use online, print or in-person services to treat tobacco and nicotine dependence have a better chance of quitting for good. Tobacco and nicotine dependence medicines, sometimes called smoking cessation medicines, and counseling work for many people, especially if used together.
- Medicines. Tobacco and nicotine dependence medicines help ease withdrawal symptoms and cravings related to nicotine dependence.
- Counseling. During individual or group counseling you learn techniques and practice skills you'll need for a tobacco- and nicotine-free future. For example, counseling may help you reset daily patterns, manage emotions or handle situations in which others are using these products.
And if you've tried to quit on your own before, quitting with help can give you a better chance to recover from a relapse.
Risks
There are very few risks associated with services that help you stop using tobacco and nicotine products. Continuing to use tobacco raises your risk of cancers, heart and blood vessel conditions, diabetes, eye problems, and other health issues.
There is a risk that tobacco and nicotine dependence medicines that give you small amounts of nicotine can have some side effects. Physical symptoms can include headache, digestive problems, and dry mouth or changes in taste.
Other medicines that target cravings may cause changes in mood or behavior. If you have these changes, call your healthcare professional right away.
Relapse to tobacco and nicotine dependence within six months of quitting is a common risk even with medicine and counseling. But you can improve your chances with a plan. A plan helps you manage your thoughts, choose your response to challenging situations, and use medicines to handle cravings and nicotine withdrawal.
How you prepare
When you're ready to treat nicotine dependence, it can help to gather information for a personalized plan. Your healthcare professional may ask you questions that include:
- How many cigarettes do you smoke each day? Or if you use other forms of tobacco or nicotine in the form of e-cigarettes, how much do you use a day?
- How soon after waking do you use a tobacco or nicotine product?
- Have you tried to stop using tobacco or nicotine in the past? If so, what happened? What worked? What didn't work?
- What is making you want to stop using tobacco or nicotine now?
- Do you have any health conditions linked to tobacco or nicotine use?
- Has your use caused any problems at work or in your relationships?
- What medicines, vitamins, herbs or other substances do you use regularly?
Some people also find it helpful to list the smoking triggers they face daily. And it can help to write a list of people who can help during this time.
What you can expect
Mayo Clinic has one of the largest and most experienced practices in the United States, with campuses in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota. Staff skilled in dozens of specialties work together providing quality care and successful recovery for many people.
Treatment begins with a one-on-one consultation at Mayo Clinic.
The first meeting is a comprehensive consultation with a tobacco treatment specialist counselor. After your first meeting, you may see a healthcare professional in a one-on-one meeting. The sessions might be in person or by telephone or video.
These sessions can help you stay motivated and avoid or deal with relapse. The sessions also can help you gain confidence in your ability to stay tobacco- and nicotine-free.
Medicines to help you stop using tobacco or nicotine may be suggested. Some give you long-term relief from nicotine cravings and withdrawal symptoms. These may or may not contain nicotine.
Other quit-smoking products have small amounts of nicotine and are designed to manage cravings in the short term. These may be gums, lozenges or nasal sprays. Using one or more of these medicines can increase your chances of quitting.
Results
When you use these services, you improve your chances of quitting smoking, or if you use other products, being tobacco- or nicotine-free for life. Every hour or day you go without being exposed to the harmful chemicals in tobacco helps improve your health.
After using these services you may see improvement in health issues linked to your use of tobacco or nicotine products. And you may find that you get fewer respiratory illnesses, such as colds or bronchitis.
After a relapse to tobacco or nicotine use, the use of these services can help you decide what to do differently next time.
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