How To Quit Smoking Cold Turkey When Pregnant

Why Is It So Effective

Pregnancy FAQs : How to Quit Smoking Cold Turkey While Pregnant

One of the things that keeps smokers trapped is fear. Fear you wont be able to enjoy life fear you wont be able to cope fear that youll have to go through some awful trauma to be free of it and fear that youre giving up our friend or crutch. By changing the way you think about smoking, the Allen Carr method removes the fear, and once you understand how the smoking trap works, it becomes easy and requires no willpower.

Why You Shouldnt Quit Smoking Cold Turkey

Every former smoker has a quitting story. For some it took many years while others managed to extinguish their last cigarette the first time they tried. Some people swear by NRT, while some managed to ride out the nicotine cravings and stop smoking cold turkey. The truth is, everyone is different, and what works for some wont work for others.

However, when it comes to giving up smoking cold turkey, theres evidence to suggest that its not the best approachparticularly if youre determined to quit first time. But why is this method of quitting so difficult for so many people? And what kind of issues can you expect if you do decide to quit smoking cold turkey? Here, we explore what cold turkey means and why you have a better chance of quitting with a quit smoking plan and proper support!

Can Stopping Smoking Cold Turkey Harm My Baby

  • a healthier pregnancy with less chance of complications
  • reduced risk of low birth weight
  • reduced risk of cot death once your baby is born
  • tiredness and trouble concentrating
  • tummy troubles, such as constipation
  • an increased appetite

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What Is Cold Turkey And Why Is It So Difficult

To quit smoking cold turkey means to cease all tobacco products and all products containing nicotine entirely. This means that you do not gradually decrease the number of cigarettes you smoke, nor use NRT products to top up your nicotine levels and mitigate symptoms. In some definitions, it also means you dont reach out for other types of support such as those available on the NHS.

These definitions are key to understanding the cold turkey method of quitting, as there can quite easily be confusion as to what the process means. In fact, a 2016 study in the Annals of Internal Medicine was celebrated in the media as promoting the cold turkey method as more successful than gradual cessation.

However, what many media outlets failed to make clear was that the study, in fact, suggested that individuals who stop smoking abruptly, when receiving counselling and using cessation medications, were more likely to be smoke-free in the short- and long-term compared to those who gradually cut down.

So, while the media promoted the idea that cold turkey was the best approach to quitting, the study itself said the opposite. Today, the idea that quitting cold turkey is the best approach is generally not supported by medical professionals or research, and most studies recommend the use of NRT and Champix in combination with educational intervention

How To Quit Smoking Cold Turkey

Why Giving Up Smoking Cold Turkey Is A Terrible Idea

Preparing for nicotine withdrawal and cravings

Amy Morin, LCSW, is the Editor-in-Chief of Verywell Mind. She’s also a psychotherapist, the author of the bestselling book “13 Things Mentally Strong People Don’t Do,” and the host of The Verywell Mind Podcast.

For media or public speaking inquiries, contact Amy .

Many people decide to go “cold turkey” when quitting smokingthat is, they stop smoking all at once without medication or nicotine replacement products. Quitting this way isnt easy. While it might work for some people, it’s not the most effective method of smoking cessation. Those who are most successful in quitting smoking cold turkey know what to expect and prepare themselves for withdrawal symptoms and cravings.

People choose to go cold turkey for different reasons, but one is the desire for a clean break from their smoking habit. Even when people are highly motivated to quit, it can still be challenging to overcome an addiction and let their body heal.

If you are ready to quit smoking or using tobacco and want to go cold turkey, start by setting a quit date. The following steps will help prepare you for a successful attempt at quitting smoking. While it might not be your first attempt, it will hopefully be your last.

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Can A Baby Have Withdrawals From Weed

Yes, babies can experience withdrawals from THC, an utterly heartbreaking experience that can have long-term developmental consequences. Babies generally only have issues with THC withdrawal if their mothers habitually used cannabis while pregnant, though. If a pregnant mother only uses cannabis once or twice, it is very unlikely that her baby will experience any THC withdrawal symptoms especially if the cannabis use in question took place early during pregnancy.

Secondhand Smoke Harms Your Baby

If your partner or anyone else who lives with you smokes, their smoke can affect you and your baby before and after their birth. You may also find it more difficult to stop if someone around you smokes.

Secondhand smoke can also reduce your baby’s birthweight and increase the risk of sudden infant death syndrome , also known as “cot death”. Babies whose parents smoke are more likely to be admitted to hospital for bronchitis and pneumonia during their first year.

To find out more about quitting and to get support, your partner can call the NHS Smokefree helpline on from 9am to 8pm Monday to Friday, and 11am to 4pm Saturday and Sunday.

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What Happens When A Person Quits Cold Turkey

A person quits cold turkey by stopping smoking immediately.

For example, some people may decide not to buy more cigarettes after finishing their current pack. Upon making this decision, they have begun quitting.

When quitting cold turkey, a person does not introduce any more nicotine into their body. Nicotine is addictive, and once people stop using products that contain this substance, they may of withdrawal.

However, by quitting cold turkey, the body expels all nicotine within 48 hours. The following table describes the health benefits over time when giving up smoking.

Time since quitting

Quitting cold turkey may be as simple as deciding not to consume another cigarette or nicotine product. Other people may need to plan to maximize their chances of success.

The suggest the following tips to ensure the best chance of quitting:

  • Think about the reasons to quit â whether for friends and family, improved health, or other reasons.
  • Make a decision to stop and pick a quit day.
  • Make a list of smoking triggers to avoid for the first few weeks, if possible.
  • Come up with a list of activities to do when experiencing cravings.

One way people cope with quitting smoking cold turkey is learning to recognize the triggers that make them want to smoke. They can then consciously use coping mechanisms to resist these triggers.

There are several types of triggers, each with its coping mechanisms.

Trigger type

Quitting cold turkey is not the only way to quit smoking.

Quitting Smoking Cold Turkey

I quit smoking COLD TURKEY 2 weeks ago. There’s something you should know…

We believe that quitting smoking is one of the most amazing things you can ever do, but we also know that its one of the most difficult. We’re here to help.

You may choose to quit smoking cold turkey, or you may want to quit gradually. Well support you through every step of the journey that works best for you. If you decide to quit smoking using a NICORETTE® product, then youll want to know more about the First Week Challenge and how it increases your chances of success.

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What Should I Do If I Want To Stop Smoking

Visit the Allen Carr website for more information. Allen Carr therapists were once smokers themselves, who found it easy and enjoyable to quit smoking. They understand how you might be feeling, because theyve been there. With their genuine money back guarantee, you have nothing to lose just everything to gain.

Routines To Help You Manage Cravings

One of the biggest challenges many people face in the early days of quitting is the regular cravings. Some cravings are your body physically wanting nicotine, but some are also related to your daily routines.

Changing your routine can help avoid those triggers that tell your brain its time for a smoke.

Here are some ideas for activities to do instead of smoking at those times you usually reach for the cigarettes:

  • first thing in the morning have a shower
  • with coffee or tea change to a different drink, a different cup, or change where you drink it
  • at morning tea sit in a different place or with different people, read a magazine or take a scroll through your social media
  • at the computer at home move your desk or redecorate to change the look
  • after a meal go for a walk
  • after work exercise or meditate
  • before dinner make your dinner time earlier
  • with alcohol change to a different type of drink or hold your drink in your smoking hand
  • as you plan your next task breathe deeply
  • as a reward listen to music or have a piece of fruit
  • when youre with a person whos smoking chew gum or bring a water bottle
  • in front of the television move the furniture around, hold a stress ball, do some easy stretches
  • before bed have a warm drink or read a book.

Remember, each time you resist that urge and do something else instead its a victory in your quest to quit: youre helping your brain break that link between the activity and the cigarette.

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Should You Quit Weed Cold

Brain cells are the main targets of the active ingredient in weed. It makes sense then that the main symptoms of weed withdrawal, according to NIDA, are mental. People who move through weed withdrawal experience:

These are very real symptoms, and when they appear suddenly, they can be overwhelming. Someone who has long been accustomed to using weed to medicate through a sense of depression or anxiety might not have the tools to cope with these feelings while sober. A person like this might be likely to relapse to drug use to make the feelings go away, since they are new and overwhelming feelings.

Similarly, deep depression and anxiety come with their own risks. Feelings like this are associated with an increased risk of suicide. People who feel as though they should be able to quit weed cold turkey but are unable to do so may be driven to make a terrible and permanent decision.

As a columnist with the Chicago Tribune points out, withdrawal side effects like depression could be linked to underlying mental health problems in people who abuse weed. For some people, the drug is a form of self-medication, used to help make life with illness a little easier. When that medication is gone, it can be harder to live with the challenges of the mental illness. If someone quit smoking weed cold turkey, the return of those symptoms can be swift and a little frightening. That could lead to an increased suicide risk.

Health Problems For The Baby During And After Pregnancy

Pin on Quit Smoking Cold Turkey

Tobacco smoke contains a horde of poisonous chemicals and dangerous compounds, which if a woman consumes during pregnancy, so does the unborn baby. Smoking during pregnancy can limit the amount of oxygen that is being transmitted to the developing baby.

Exposure to carbon monoxide specifically can negatively affect the supply of crucial nutrients that your baby needs to grow in a healthy way. Restricting this supply of nutrients can lead to severe issues relating to the babys health which can affect the development of their internal organs, especially their brain and lungs.

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Quitting Smoking Is One Of The Best Parenting Decisions You Can Make

If youre finding it hard to stop, remember that if you quit smoking youre making one of the best possible decisions you can make for your child and for you. By giving up now, even though it may be difficult, you are giving your baby the best chance of healthy development and a straightforward birth.

You will also make it easier for yourself to maintain a no-smoking rule after your baby is born and living in a smoke-free home with parents who dont smoke is so important for the health of your child.

Remember to ask for the support you need and if you cant get that support from family and friends, ask your doctor to refer you to relevant services.

You can do this but you dont have to do it alone.

Why The Cold Turkey Approach

Some people use the cold turkey technique as they believe it will be easier to cease taking the substance completely straight away. They may also think if they cut the substance out entirely, they will feel less tempted to use it again while quitting.

Another reason why people use this method is that the substance is causing their body harm, and they wish to stop this effect immediately. However, this may not be the best approach and could even lead to relapse in some cases.

There are some benefits to quitting cold turkey. They include:

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Benefits Of Quitting Smoking

Quitting is one of the best things you will ever do for your health. It can affect your life in ways you may not even imagine.

Benefits to your health and life from quitting smoking include:

  • Your sense of taste and smell may improve, so you may enjoy your food more.
  • Exercising to increase your fitness will become easier.
  • You will be free from the hassles of smoking, such as smelling of smoke, or always having to make sure you have enough cigarettes.
  • Your fertility levels will improve , and if youre a woman, your chances of having a healthy pregnancy and baby will also increase.
  • You will save thousands of dollars a year that you can save or spend on other things.
  • Your family and friends will also benefit because:
  • You wont put their health at risk with second-hand smoke any more
  • Your children will be less at risk from bronchitis, pneumonia, asthma, meningitis and ear infections.

How Can I Avoid Smoking Again

How to Quit Smoking Cold Turkey

Slipping is a common part of quitting. For most people trying to quit, even âjust one puffâ counts. And if you âhave just one,â it makes it that much harder to go completely smoke free.

But slipping doesnât mean you go back to smoking regularly. Use your slip-up to focus on your triggers and learn how to better deal with cravings. And to avoid further slip-ups and relapses, try these tips:

  • If you live with a smoker, ask them not to smoke around you.
  • When you get the urge to smoke, take a deep breath. Hold it for 10 seconds and release it slowly. Repeat this several times until the urge is gone.
  • Keep your hands busy. Doodle, play with a pencil or straw, or work on a computer.
  • Change activities that were connected to smoking. Take a walk or read a book instead of taking a cigarette break.
  • Hang out with nonsmokers or go to places that don’t allow smoking, such as the movies, museums, shops, or libraries.
  • Don’t substitute food or sugar-based products for cigarettes.
  • Exercise. Exercising will help you relax.
  • Get support for quitting, especially from family and friends.
  • If youâre worried about gaining weight, keep in mind that the average weight gain after quitting is less than 10 pounds. Focus on staying healthy and active instead of stressing about the scale

You can also focus on the health benefits of not smoking. Here are some of the biggest things you’ll enjoy less of:

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Can You Smoke Weed While Youre Pregnant

No, you should not smoke weed or ingest the cannabinoid delta 9 THC in any way while you have a baby inside your body. Over the last few years, using cannabis while pregnant has become normalized by social media culture, but using THC while pregnant could be harmful to your baby in ways that we simply have not yet been able to identify.

All we know for certain is that psychoactive substances in general tend to have detrimental effects on fetal development. If youre serious about bringing your child to term as healthy as possible, you should be very discriminating regarding the substances you allow into your body.

Treatment Offers A Better Option

Choosing a cold-turkey sobriety path means dealing with intense symptoms that persist for several days, if not weeks. Many people who choose this method attempt sobriety on their own without the help of a treatment team. There is a better way.

Addiction treatment programs are tailored to meet people where they are with the services they need. That means teams assess the addiction and the best way to achieve sobriety. For some people and some addictions, tapering to sobriety is best. For others, using medications to assist with symptoms is best. For others, cold-turkey sobriety with help from a treatment team is ideal.

After medical detox is complete, people in treatment arent left alone to battle the aftermath of the addiction. They get help from caring therapists, counselors, and mentors who help them to develop supportive, strong habits that allow them to persist in sobriety. They are in safe spaces that support their sobriety. They have a chance to really make their lives better.

Its Never Too Late to Get Help

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