According to a recent study in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, teenagers who try to quit smoking using nicotine patches enjoy success rates similar to those of adults. In short-term response, teens that received these smoking cessation treatments also achieved abstinence rates equivalent to those of adults.

This fact is encouraging, as former reports addressing smoking cessation for teens had been dismal. This short-term response may give doctors a foundation to help teens with longer-term quitting.

Thomas Glynn, Director of Cancer Science and Trends at the American Cancer Society, reported that five million adolescents in the United States currently smoke. Of those, he states, "about 70 percent say they want to stop." Mr. Glynn also noted that historically, it was believed that it would be easier for teens to quit, because they hadn’t been smoking for as long as adults. Studies suggest that is not the case.

The level of addiction that adolescents face is no different than that of adults. Like older smokers, teens can become solidly addicted to nicotine in as little as several weeks. One can conclude, therefore, that it is no easier for them to quit.

In one study, a group of colleagues interviewed more than 500 teens wanting to quit smoking. The study excluded more than half of the participants, including those suffering depression and those without parental consent. The final focus group included 211 teens that smoked at least 10 cigarettes per day, and had been smoking for at least six months before the start of the study. One hundred and forty five of the participants were male, and all were from the San Francisco area. Each of the teens included in the study had made at least one previous attempt to quit smoking.

The teenagers participating in the study were assigned to one of two groups. One group received the nicotine patch alone, while the other received treatment with the nicotine patch and the antidepressant buproprion, which has been shown to help smokers quit.

The nicotine patch was given for eight weeks in a tapering dose, with the starting dose dependent on the number of cigarettes smoked per day. Those also receiving buproprion went on a nine-week treatment program. Both groups also went to weekly counseling sessions.

At the end of ten weeks, 28 percent of those using the patch alone had quit smoking, while 23 percent of those receiving both the patch and buproprion had quit. However after 26 weeks, 7 percent on the patch alone were still not smoking, while 8 percent on both medications were still abstinent. Killen noted that even those who went back to smoking were still smoking far less than they had been at the start of the trial. Almost all of the teens taking part in the trial cut their smoking to a few cigarettes per day or per week.

Researchers believe that the bottom line from this study is that teenagers can be helped in quitting smoking. Teens can stop smoking, but they need help to be successful. It’s no easier for teenagers to quit smoking than it is for adults. Smoking cessation therapies and medications can provide the help they need.

Another study in the same journal found that adult women who used nicotine replacement therapy to quit smoking had a harder time than men in staying off cigarettes. Women’s abstinence rates dropped between three and twelve months, and after a year, men were more likely than women to remain smoke-free.
Nicotine replacement patches can be a good option for teenagers wanting to quit smoking. With your help and support, your teenager can kick the habit and remain smoke-free.

About the Author:

Christopher Anderson contributes to several web sites, on product tips and shopping ideas topics.
Article Tags: smoking, study, teens

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Article published on September 27, 2006 at iSnare.com

Also, the nicotine patch has another advantage - it does not contain the other harmful chemicals present in cigarettes. A nicotine patch should be applied to a clean area between the neck and the waist that is free of hair. It usually doubles the rate of success for people who are motivated to give up smoking, as compared to those who rely only on their willpower and the advice of a doctor.

Nicotine patches are not for everyone who smokes, and pregnant women need to be careful about using the Nicoderm nicotine patches, since nicotine may slow down the growth of the baby. Those with high blood pressure and heart problems also need to be cautious about using nicotine patches. Similarly, people with diabetes, stomach ulcers, severe liver or kidney problems, or an over active thyroid gland need to consult their doctor before using a nicotine patch.

There are different types of patches, releasing doses of nicotine initially, then tapering off with different patches lowering the nicotine doses. Some patches release nicotine for 16 hours, while others release it for 24 hours. This allows the smoker to regulate the nicotine intake by taking the series of patches.

However, it is yet to be established as to what is more beneficial, gradual reduction in the dose of nicotine by using the patch or another aid, or its sudden stoppage through quicker reduction methods. Similarly, it is difficult to say whether 24-hour patches are more effective than 16-hour patches.

Two forms of patches that are popular are the traditional Nicoderm patches, and the new Zero Nicotine patches which are made from natural herbs. Using all-natural healing properties of traditional herbal formulas, it completely and naturally eliminates the body’s craving for nicotine without putting nicotine back into the system, the way Nicoderm does.

The difficult thing about quitting to smoke is overcoming your nicotine addiction. Nicotine, which is a substance found in every cigarette, is highyl addictive. Experts believe that it may be as addictive as Heroin and Cocaine. Whenever a person tries to stop smoking, his brain and entire body craves nicotine. This craving is so intense that only 5% of the people can withstand it. The rest start smoking again.

The stop smoking patch comes in 2 forms: the nicotine patch and the herbal non-nicotine patch.

The original patches were nicotine patches. The nicotine patch works by releasing small doses of nicotine into a person’s body, thereby relieving his or her craving for nicotine. When a person is free of the craving for nicotine, that person doesn’t crave cigarettes anymore. Nicotine patches come in various dosages: 21 gms, 14 gms, 7 gms, etc. Each cigarette contains approximately 1 gm of nicotine. So a person who usually smokes 20 cigarettes each day should start with a 20 gm patch and switch patches on a daily basis. Gradually, a person should try on patches of less dosage until his or her craving is over.

The nicotine patch came under a great deal of criticism because many people believe that using it is like fighting fire with fire. You try to overcome your addiction to nicotine by taking in nicotine. One of the general rules of addiction is that you need to get off the addictive substance completely. And indeed many people have failed to quit smoking with the nicotine patch.

The herbal zero nicotine patch is an attempt to deal with this problem. It is made of herbs which simulate the effect of nicotine on the body without being addictive themselves. In this manner your withdrawl can be quite faster than that which is possible with the nicotine patch.

Overall, the stop smoking patch (in its 2 forms) has worked for a great number of people from all around the world. It is easy to use, unintrusive, and affordable. It is well worth considering.

THE MECHANICS OF NICOTINE PATCHES

The mechanics of using Nicotine patches are based on the inherent affinity of the skin to absorb whatever is locally applied. Nicotine patches are logically a patch much like a plaster, which is impregnated with nicotine in a pad or gel. The patches being unique in their ability to transfer the nicotine into the blood stream and maintaining the level in the blood stream over extended periods of time – until the patch is removed from the skin. This maintenance of moderate and constant levels of nicotine in the blood ensures that there are no withdrawal symptoms due to inordinately low nicotine levels in the blood. The patches maintain a moderate level of nicotine in the blood but never as high as cigarettes – ensuring that the addiction to cigarettes is not substituted by nicotine patches.

Nicotine is the highly addicting and habit forming ingredient of cigarettes which is instrumental in the onset of the extremes of negative emotions such as anger, frustration, irritability and lack of concentration.
Nicotine patches sport varying degrees of nicotine concentrations which depend primarily on the degree of smoking that the subject has been exposed to – evidently heavy smokers need a much higher level of nicotine concentration which could well be tapered over a period of time.

PACKAGING THE PATCH

Nicotine patches come packaged under varying trade names – most popular being Habitrol which are predominantly round in shape and are available in varying strengths – twenty one, fourteen or seven milligrams of nicotine per patch and the efficacy period of any particular Habitrol patch being twenty four hours.

Conversely Nicoderm CQ patches are rectangular in shape and come in are available in varying strengths of twenty one, fourteen or seven milligrams of nicotine per patch with a efficacy period of twenty four hours which makes the two patches but a variant of identical concepts and the efficacy spectra could well be identical – there being little to choose one over the other.

On the contrary Nicotrol nicotine patches in spite of being rectangular in shape vary when compared to Nicoderm CQ patches. They come in single strength variants – fifteen milligrams and need to be worn for not over twelve hours – the nicotine patch may be worn in the morning and may be removed at bedtime – wearing these nicotine patches while sleeping is strongly contraindicated.

CESSATION AND SUSTENANCE

Smoking is an addiction, which is usually difficult but seldom impossible to quit. The concept of using Nicotine Patches is an adjunct to a wide array of modalities such as counseling, support groups and finally behavior modifications. The crux being not ‘cutting back’ on the amount of cigarettes smoked and the Nicotine patches are but an adjunct to the all-important attitude and the determination to quit smoking.

Using a nicotine replacement product like a nicotine patch can greatly increase the chance of a smoker’s ability to quit. These adhesive patches have a specific amount of nicotine in them, and provide a constant, low-level dose of nicotine into the bloodstream throughout the day. They are usually used over a period of a few months, gradually stepping down the dosage of nicotine as you go along.

There are several different brands of patches, and some are now sold over the counter. For others you will need to get a prescription from your doctor. Deciding which one is right for you is your second most important step to quitting, after deciding you need to quit in the first place!

Here are three popular brands to choose from:

Habitrol patches are round and come in three strengths: 21, 14, or 7 milligrams of nicotine per patch. Depending on how heavy a smoker you are, you may start at a higher or lower dose. This patch is used 24 hours a day.

NicoDerm CQ patches are rectangular and come in three strengths: 21, 14, or 7 milligrams of nicotine per patch. Like Habitrol, your dose will depend on how much you smoke. This patch is worn for 24 hours or less depending on your level of cravings.

Nicotrol patches deliver 15 milligrams of nicotine per patch. You put one on in the morning, wear it all day and remove it at bedtime. You don’t use it when you sleep.

Nicotrol is available over-the-counter.

Safe use of these patches assumes that you quit smoking entirely and rely on the doses of nicotine to ease the effects of withdrawal. The effects of withdrawal are not to be taken lightly, as they can lead to anger, anxiety, irritability and restlessness, among other problems. Smoking is both a physical addiction and a psychological addiction. Nicotine patches address only the physical withdrawal from smoking, so the other half rests in your hands!

The success of these products is greatly increased when combined with a quit smoking support group, or counseling.

Giving up smoking is hard as the nicotine contained in cigarettes is very addictive. When a smoker stops putting nicotine into their system, both the brain and body react to this absence by producing withdrawal symptoms, which are also known as cravings. These cravings are often so strong that it is estimated that only one person in 20 can stop smoking on their own.

When quit smoking patches were first offered for sale they all had nicotine as their active ingredient. The patches assisted the user by providing a tiny, yet constant supply of nicotine into the body. This was supposed to help reduce the users craving for the nicotine they were no longer supplying to their body through cigarettes.

Critics of the quit smoking patch put forth the argument that this was simply trading one delivery method of nicotine with another and did not help break the addiction in any way. For other drugs it is recognized that in order to overcome the addiction a person has to quit using the drug completely. There have been many people who have later become addicted to the patches that were supposed to help them.

The Zero Nicotine patch, as the name indicates, does not contain any nicotine at all. What it does contain are herbs that mimic the effects of nicotine within the body, but that are not addictive themselves. Other ingredients are designed to help remove any remaining nicotine from your system. This has been shown to help a smoker overcome their addiction to nicotine faster than using a nicotine patch or simply going cold turkey.

The Zero Nicotine patch is an effective, affordable alternative to the more commonly available stop smoking patches currently available and are becoming increasingly popular with smokers seeking a more natural solution to what is commonly prescribed.

Nicotine replacement products work by introducing nicotine into the body through contact with the skin or lungs and provide the nicotine your body’s craving without the harmful gases and other harmful byproducts of smoking. NRT is not a sure fire method to smoking cessation, though, as it only suppresses the body’s craving for nicotine and does not treat the psychological aspect of nicotine addiction.

Nicotine replacement patches are an extremely popular way to quit smoking. The patch is placed on the upper arm or the side of the abdomen and left there for the manufacturer recommended time period. The patch in infused with nicotine and transmit the drug through the skin into the body over the course of time. Smokers will not notice a dramatic lessening of their cravings, but withdrawal symptoms will become more manageable. As with any other medication, patches have side effects, some patients even report that the adhesive used on the patch causes painful skin irritation.

Nicotine gum is another popular means of delivering nicotine without the use of tobacco. Nicotine gum, like nicotine patches, contains nicotine, but none of the harmful carcinogens found in cigarettes. The gum is chewed for a brief time, and then held against the cheek and gum. Patients often report a tingling sensation in the area where the gum is held. Manufacturers state that this is normal and is caused by the gum transmitting nicotine into the body. Once the tingling sensation subsides, the gum will need to be chewed again for a few minutes and then held between the cheek and gum once more. A single piece of gum should last several hours.

Inhalers work much like the inhalers used by asthmatics. It delivers nicotine to the lungs in a mist form, which is then absorbed through the lining of the lungs. Nasal sprays work in a similar fashion. Inhaled forms of nicotine usually have a shorter duration than patches and gum.

It is important to understand that nicotine replacement therapies will neither force you to stop smoking, nor completely eliminate withdrawal symptoms. There will be uncomfortable symptoms to endure and the desire to light a cigarette only lessens, it never completely goes away. Other smoking cessation methods may need to be used to completely stop smoking.