What's Right For Me?

Going ‘cold turkey’ is a popular choice that means quitting smoking without the use of medication or other quitting products.

There are many different ways to go cold turkey. Even though you are not using any stop smoking medications, there are still strategies you can use to improve your chances of quitting for good.

Some things you can try are:

• Get support from family and friends who’ll keep you on track.
• Focus on the reasons you’re quitting and identifying what your triggers are.

Recognise when you are experiencing withdrawal symptoms and check out our tips to fight cravings.

Nothing.

Helps to quickly eliminate nicotine from your body.

Although most people quit using this method, it is not suitable for everyone. You may experience withdrawal symptoms, which differ from person to person. This method is best suited for anyone who has a good support network and can find ways to fight through the cravings.

A confidential, evidence-based telephone counselling and online support service. Quitline will work with you step-by-step and provide tips and strategies that are tailored just for you. Quitline is an inclusive and culturally safe space for all, with dedicated Aboriginal Quitline counsellors and an interpreter service for people who speak a language other than English.

Call 13 7848, text “call back” to 0482 090 634 for a callback, request a callback online, or chat online.

If you request a callback, Quitline will call you free-of-charge. Otherwise expect the usual cost for a call/text from your phone/mobile.

Helps you with personalised advice and strategies to quit, and can call you at your request as often as you would like to give you extra support. Whether you’re thinking of quitting, recently quit or relapsed, Quitline can support you.

This method is best suited to someone who likes to have the support and encouragement of others to help keep them on track. Quitline is also a great option if you have tried to quit multiple times already and are unsure what to try next.

Book an appointment with your doctor or talk to your pharmacist.

Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT)  medications are used to help reduce the feeling of cravings and nicotine withdrawal symptoms. This method works by providing small, measured doses of nicotine into your bloodstream, without all the extra harmful chemicals found in tobacco smoke.

There are different types of NRT, including: 

• Patches
• Gum
• Lozenges
• Mouth spray and inhalators.

Prices vary by retailer, brand and duration of use e.g. patches come in packets of 7 or 28. Patches are currently the only NRT available on the PBS, which means you may be able to access cheaper patches with a script from your doctor.

Helps to reduce withdrawal symptoms and dull the effects of nicotine on your body.

Talking to your doctor is the best way to find out if NRT is suitable for you .

These tablets stop many of the rewarding feelings in your brain that are associated with smoking.

Book an appointment with your doctor

Prescriptions last several weeks and can cost less than the price of a single cigarette per day. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist for details.

Help to ease cravings as they make smoking much less enjoyable than it usually would be and can ease withdrawal symptoms.

This helps to make quitting easier because your urge to smoke again isn't as strong.

Talking to your doctor is the best way to find out if prescription medications are suitable for you.

Contacting the Quitline is the perfect starting point.

Quitline provides the best behavioural support for quitting smoking, and it’s free!

Helps you break your smoking habits by re-learning how to get through your day without tobacco. It also helps you mentally to know you’re not alone in this journey and that you’ll be supported along the way.

This is best suited for anyone who needs advice on how to break strong habits or how to tackle an emotional attachment to smoking throughout their quit journey.

Using behavioural support such as Quitline at the same time as NRT or prescription-only medications has been shown to seriously boost your chances of quitting success.

This approach works so well because the medication helps you through your physical cravings while the behavioural support helps you break your habits and manage your emotional reasons for smoking.

Start by making a call to the Quitline or speaking to your doctor or pharmacist for information about NRT or prescription-only medication options. Your doctor can also complete a Quitline referral form on your behalf if you prefer, and a Quitline counsellor will get in touch with you free of charge.

Helps you to manage all aspects of tobacco dependence. Getting personal and tailored support means you’ll know exactly what your triggers to smoke are and how to manage them. You will also have the comfort of knowing there is someone to speak to at any stage of your quitting journey, especially if you are finding things challenging. You can also get advice about how to use your NRT most effectively to reduce the severity of cravings and withdrawals.

This method is for everyone, but especially if you have used one of the other methods in the past and felt like you needed more support. Talk to your doctor, pharmacist or the Quitline before starting to get advice and tips to make the most of your next quit attempt.