"You just have to want to" - we often hear from those around us when we want to give up bad habits like smoking. However, the reality is willpower hardly ever works when changing a habit especially when quitting smoking. The most effective way you’ll achieve your goal is if you do not rely on one foundation and consider all the sub-areas related to your dependence or addiction.
Effective smoking cessation is based on three pillars:
Stop smoking with nuumi = user-friendliness x science x technology.
The formula for success states that the system – with which one wants to stop smoking – must be user-friendly and practical, but must also be supported by the latest state of science. On the other hand, the technology used also contributes significantly to success. The crucial point here is that only the combination of these three pillars leads to effective smoking cessation. This is exactly where the concept of smoking cessation with nuumi comes in. What do the individual pillars mean? Here is an overview:
User-friendliness = the smoker in focus
About 90 per cent of all smokers who try to give up their addiction relapse. What is the reason? The culprit is usually a combination of withdrawal symptoms – "nicotine cravings" – which are intensified by everyday situations in which people normally smoke. Added to this is the missing of the usual smoking ritual with the "hand-to-mouth" movement.
Studies show that the chances of success in quitting smoking depend on whether the participant perseveres through a smoking cessation programme from start to finish. However, it often becomes apparent that the current therapy methods do not fit the daily life or the needs of the participants. For example, many use nicotine patches or chewing gum from the pharmacy. However, these only release small amounts of nicotine and are rarely sufficient to satisfy the brain's "nicotine hunger". Despite the use of these tools, physical withdrawal symptoms often occur. In the field of behavioural change, non-smoking apps or group therapies are also possible, although these only address the psychological and not the physical component of the addiction.
Conclusion: Neither nicotine replacement nor behavioural therapy alone can alleviate withdrawal symptoms sufficiently, which in turn leads to the desire to smoke. This additional stress can cause you to give up your resolution again and reach for the cigarette.
Science = orientation on clinical studies
If you only want to quit smoking once, you should choose a stop-smoking method that is based on current results of clinical studies and is regularly revised based on the latest scientific findings. This is because it has been proven that it offers you the highest probability of success. From the perspective of scientists, the combination of nicotine replacement therapy and behavioural therapy is the most effective method for successfully leading a life free of smoking and nicotine in the long term. This recommendation is reflected in the medical guideline for the treatment of tobacco dependence, which is aimed at healthcare experts and supports doctors in choosing the right treatment method.
In the field of behavioural therapy, mindfulness-based cognitive behavioural therapy, in particular, has emerged in recent years as one of the most promising methods for smoking cessation of the psychological component. Unlike other common behavioural therapies, this approach isn’t based on changing an external environment or short-term distraction techniques. Rather, it focuses on strengthening the ability to recognise unpleasant thoughts, feelings and impulses, to act at an early stage and to manage them in a targeted manner. As a result, those affected learn to successfully control their addictive urges.
Technology = Tailor-made method for the user
The daily nicotine consumption, as well as the external triggers of a casual and chain smoker, differ enormously. However, tools such as nicotine patches and chewing gums follow a rigid recommendation for use and leave very limited scope for personal sensitivities, despite individualisation of treatment being a crucial factor for success. With this in mind, it is even more important to choose a therapy method that adapts to your individual needs in everyday life as well as your progress and supports you in reaching your goal faster and more successfully.
Digital and personalised nicotine replacement therapy
For an effective nicotine replacement therapy, the daily nicotine consumption must first be recorded and analysed in order to then enable a personalised step-by-step reduction of nicotine intake. It’s important that this is in line with your individual progress. Temporary adjustments of nicotine intake must be possible and should be automated to prevent relapse. When using such an intelligent nicotine reduction, the risk of the dreaded physical withdrawal symptoms is very low. Another plus: the digital application increases your motivation by visualising your daily progress.
Personalised behavioural therapy
The incredible thing about a mindfulness-based smoking cessation method is that it enables you to control your desire to smoke the moment it arises, taking your individual situation into account. This means that there are no drastic changes in your everyday life because you don’t have to avoid risky situations. By applying learned skills in familiar smoking situations, you regain control over your addictive behaviour until you stop smoking completely. Unexpected challenges will no longer set you back.
Best results: Combination of both therapies
Each of us has different needs and faces different challenges in our daily lives. This is another reason why a therapy that simultaneously addresses both components of addiction and gives you an overview of your current state of development at any given time is ideal. For this, the therapy must include a technical device that can analyse all the necessary data and, in the best case, display it in a user-friendly way on an app. If this is combined with intelligent nicotine reduction, important information on individual smoking behaviour can be provided.
