Can't quit smoking? Going cold turkey actually works

This is the 4712th article of Da Yi Xiao Hu

Cold turkey, also known as "abrupt withdrawal", refers to quitting tobacco at once and without any preparation. The core of this method is no gradual reduction and no transition period. This immediate and decisive approach may bring short-term discomfort of quitting smoking, but in the long run, it helps to avoid the dependence caused by gradually reducing the amount of smoking.

The cold turkey method does not use any medication or other treatments, but forces you to quit smoking and allows the withdrawal symptoms to disappear on their own. Since the hard withdrawal does not use any medication, the patient will experience withdrawal symptoms, even goose bumps and chills all over the body, so it is also called the cold turkey method. This method is simple and easy to do. Compared with some smoking cessation methods that require complex steps and auxiliary tools, the cold turkey method is very simple. You don't need to buy special smoking cessation drugs, nor do you need to follow a specific diet or exercise plan. You just need to decide to stop smoking and stick to it. It's that simple!

Although the cold turkey method may cause some discomfort in the early stages of quitting smoking, many studies have shown that this sudden quitting method has a certain success rate in the long run. This is because the method eliminates the psychological dependence that may be caused by gradually reducing the amount of smoking. During the process of quitting smoking, many smokers will develop a psychological dependence on tobacco, which may gradually increase during the process of gradually reducing the amount of smoking, resulting in failure to quit smoking.

The sudden quitting method avoids this phenomenon, just like completely cutting off the "thought" and thus increasing the success rate of quitting smoking. The method of gradually reducing the amount of smoking often takes a long time, generally at least three months. The cold turkey method greatly shortens this process. Once you are determined to quit smoking, you just need to insist on not lighting the next cigarette. Psychologically, this method avoids the time and patience required to gradually reduce the amount of smoking for a long time. At the same time, since there is no long-term process of gradually reducing the amount of smoking, the sudden quitting method also avoids the psychological frustration and discomfort caused by gradually reducing the amount of smoking.

Quitting smoking immediately can also bring many immediate health benefits. For example, respiratory symptoms caused by smoking, such as coughing and sputum, often improve immediately, and the risk of cardiovascular disease is significantly reduced. Over time, other health problems such as chronic cough and dyspnea will also be significantly improved. Quitting smoking can significantly improve your mental state. You may experience some mood swings as you withdraw nicotine, but in the long run, you will feel more awake and energetic. This helps to improve your work and life efficiency.

Another advantage of the sudden quit method is that it is less expensive. Compared with some smoking cessation methods that require the purchase of smoking cessation products, the cold turkey method hardly incurs any additional costs. This is a huge advantage especially for those who are not well-off financially. In addition, people who can quit smoking suddenly can often gain relatively high social recognition. In society, non-smokers are often more highly regarded. Quitting smoking is not only good for personal health, but also improves social image and increases social opportunities. When your friends and family realize that you are able to quit smoking resolutely, they may respect and appreciate your decision more, and in a popular saying: "Give you a thumbs up from the bottom of my heart."

Finally, it should be said that sudden quitting smoking is suitable for those who are ready to quit smoking. Some people may find it easier to gradually reduce the amount of smoking, but the sudden quitting method may be more effective for those who are determined to quit smoking. However, for those who suffer from severe tobacco dependence, gradually reducing the amount of smoking may be more suitable. These people may need to seek professional help to quit smoking, such as medication, psychotherapy, etc. In addition, for those who suffer from certain chronic diseases, they should also undergo smoking cessation treatment under the guidance of a doctor.

In short, sudden smoking cessation is suitable for those who are ready to quit smoking, determined to quit smoking, relatively less addicted to tobacco, and have no underlying diseases. But for those who suffer from severe tobacco dependence or chronic diseases, they should choose the appropriate smoking cessation method according to their specific situation.

References:

1. Lindson-Hawley N, Aveyard P, Hughes JR. Reduction versus abrupt cessation in smokers who want to quit. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012;11:CD008033

2. Lindson-Hawley N, Banting M, West R, Michie S, Shinkins B, Aveyard P. Gradual Versus Abrupt Smoking Cessation: A Randomized, Controlled Noninferiority Trial. Ann Intern Med. 2016. 164(9): 585-92.

3. Hao Ran, Zhou Jianping, Ni Lei, Li Qingyun, Shi Guochao. Comparison of the efficacy of rapid smoking cessation and gradual smoking cessation and analysis of influencing factors[J]. Chinese Journal of Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases, 2017, 40(12): 898-902. DOI: 10.3760/cma.j.issn.1001-0939.2017.12.006.

4. Man, Ping, Wang, et al. Brief Advice on Smoking Reduction Versus Abrupt Quitting for Smoking Cessation in Chinese Smokers: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial[J]. Nicotine & Tobacco Research, 2017. DOI: 10.1093/ntr/ntx026.

Author: Shanghai Fengxian District Central Hospital

Liu HongweiChief Physician