Published at September 4, 2024

Despite what some might think, smoking is far from cool. Tobacco is harmful to almost all body organs and lifelong smokers live 10 years less, on average. Cigarette smoke contains more than 70 chemicals that may cause cancer, of lungs, mouth, esophagus, bladder, kidneys, and stomach.

Interestingly, almost 70% of adult smokers express a desire to quit, yet fewer than 10% manage to kick the habit each year. Quitting smoking is a notoriously hard habit to break and most people can’t do it without professional help.

Sadly, not everyone can attend in-person smoking cessation programs and visit doctors often because of their busy schedules. But there's a simpler solution: Telehealth and Online Prescriptions. With 24HrDOC's telehealth services, you can quit smoking conveniently and effectively, all from the comfort and privacy of your own home.

Nicotine Addiction: Adverse Effects and Withdrawal Symptoms

Nicotine, the addictive chemical found in cigarettes, makes quitting a formidable challenge by altering brain function and intensifying cravings. While nicotine hooks you, it's the cocktail of other chemicals in cigarette smoke that wreaks havoc on your health. This toxic mix can lead to severe health issues, including fertility problems, respiratory difficulties, various cancers, cardiovascular diseases, and COPD, among others.

Smoking not only affects your physical health but also hurts your mental health. While smoking seems to provide temporary stress relief, several experts have found that smoking can cause anxiety and depression by eventually increasing stress levels. It is also linked to long-term cognitive impairments such as amnesia, decreased attention span, and erratic decision-making.

While smoking causes several adverse effects, quitting it is no fun either. If you have been a long-time smoker, trying to quit would cause several withdrawal symptoms:

  • Strong cigarette cravings
  • Headache & irritability
  • Disrupted sleep
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Weight gain
  • Anxiety & depression

Smoking cessation without family support and professional help often fails, with only 4-7% of smokers staying successfully smoke-free after quitting cold turkey. Globally, as high as 60-90% of smokers relapse within a year of quitting smoking, most of whom revert within the first few weeks.

That’s why seeking medical help is crucial to stop smoking successfully. You must see a doctor if you have:

  • Been unsuccessful in quitting by yourself
  • Breathlessness/Asthma
  • Smokers cough or sore throat
  • Acid reflux and/or stomach ulcers
  • Family & financial troubles

Treatment Options for Smoking Cessation

Since it’s very difficult to quit without support, you must explore different treatment options, including:

Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT)

Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) is a widely-used method for quitting smoking, delivering controlled doses of nicotine through inhalers, patches, gums, lozenges, and sprays. NRTs allow you to satisfy nicotine cravings without the harmful chemicals found in cigarettes, making the journey to quitting a bit smoother.

Prescription Medications

Successfully quit smoking with FDA-approved medications prescribed by your online doctor. These medications simplify the quitting process by directly counteracting nicotine's effects on the brain.

Counseling & Support Groups

Talking with a certified counselor helps relieve tension and address underlying issues. Plus, support groups give you a safe space to share experiences, encouragement to quit, and strategies to cope with withdrawal symptoms.

Smoking Cessation Programs

Enroll in a hospital or a rehab center that provides smoking cessation programs. These programs combine medication, counseling, and support groups for a more comprehensive and effective approach.

Smoking Cessation Medications

Smoking cessation medications are your best shot at quitting smoking, especially when combined with professional guidance and coping support from a quit coach, doctor, or online programs.

Following are the prescription medications that 24HrDOC’s certified doctors can make available to you:

Bupropion (Zyban)

Traditionally used to treat depression, this pill has been found to help people with smoking cessation. It works by reducing cravings and other nicotine withdrawal symptoms.

Varenicline

This highly effective non-nicotine medication offers a unique approach by targeting the same brain receptors as nicotine, but with a milder impact. This dual action not only diminishes your cravings and the pleasure derived from smoking but also reduces the available space for nicotine to latch onto your brain.

Telehealth: Smoking Cessation Prescription Online

Struggling to quit smoking, but can’t find time for clinic visits?

Feeling isolated in your journey and worried about relapsing?

Looking for a convenient, effective, and judgment-free way to quit from home?

Presenting one of the best telehealth platforms, 24HrDOC, that provides online quit-smoking consultations and prescriptions from our qualified doctors. Online appointments at 24HrDOC are as effective as in-person visits to help you quit smoking.

With the 24HrDOC’s online quit smoking service, get on the highway to smoking cessation with:

  • Flexible scheduling, available 24/7
  • No long commutes, treatment at home with family support
  • Bias-free space for virtual consultations about nicotine addiction
  • Online prescription to quit smoking
  • Personalized treatment plans and goal-setting
  • Useful resources and coping strategies

At 24HrDOC, the process is quite simple:

Sign up and answer a few questions to provide your medical details. Our doctors will review these details and schedule a chat with you. If required, they will prescribe you NRT kits and/or FDA-approved quit-smoking medications online, which you can pick up from your nearest pharmacy within a few hours.

Take the First Step Towards a Smoking-Free Future

Quitting smoking is challenging, but you're not alone. Every year, millions successfully quit with the right treatment and support—and you can too. Don't wait to embrace an addiction-free life. Transform your health, extend your lifespan, and save money with personalized care and online prescriptions by 24HrDOC.

The telehealth technology at 24HrDOC has made it immensely convenient to help you get rid of your smoking addiction.

Help is just a click away. Schedule your online call today to overcome your smoking addiction once and for all. Start your journey to a smoke-free future now.