Stop Smoking Links
Smoking is one of the most important modifiable risk factors for heart disease and stroke, not to mention lung disease and cancer. Your physician understands the difficulty you will have in beating this addiction. You must understand how absolutely critical it is to stop. You have to be committed to the effort. Your physician can offer you assistance and support. These web sites are only a sample of the help that is available on line. There are also many local resources such as support groups and organized “quit smoking” programs. Your physician’s office or nearby hospital can give you information on these local programs.
Smokers with heart disease often ask if it is safe to use aids such as nicotine patches or gum. In most cases the risk is small and the benefits are so large that it is reasonable to consider these aids as well as others such as smokeless cigarettes as long as they are viewed as temporary aids. Additionally, some individuals can benefit from medications such as antidepressants and mild “tranquilizers” to help diminish the physical effects such as anxiety, mood swings and tremor that might be experienced when you quit smoking. In most cases these will only be needed for a short time. You should discuss this with your physician or cardiologist if you think these types of aides might help.
The best way to quit varies between individuals. These sites can offer you suggestions and resources that can help you determine a plan and stick with it until you succeed.
Stop Smoking Center
This site is free. It describes itself as a web program and support community that can assist you in your effort to quit smoking. It offers tools and links to additional information and assistance. You can personalize your plan. You can get on-line support and e-mail. Spend some time exploring this helpful site.
Quit Net
This site is, in addition to an on line program, a way to help you locate local support groups to further assist you in your effort.
Try To Stop
This site is from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. It offers statistics and advice. The Quit Wizard allows you to customize a program. On line support is available.
Quit Smoking Support
This is a very popular site and offers extensive information, support and resources that can aid your efforts.