Smoking 'Cold turkey' - using willpower alonee

What is willpower?

This article is about how you can give up smoking by using your own willpower. Quitting by willpower method means you literally use the strength of your will to stop you from smoking a cigarette, relying on your own ability to ignore the classic side-effects of nicotine withdrawal, such as irritability, insomnia and sweating.

How does it work?

Willpower is the least complicated way to stop smoking - you simply stop, and decide not to start again. You choose to ignore any symptoms of nicotine withdrawal you experience, and refuse to give in to the temptation to have another cigarette.

How successful is willpower in stopping people smoking?

Whether you are able to give up smoking for good through willpower will depend on how motivated you are to stop. Nicotine is a highly addictive drug, and most people don't continue to smoke out of choice, but because they are addicted to nicotine.

Quitting by willpower is not the most effective way to give up smoking: if 100 people choose to stop smoking by relying on willpower alone, only three of them will still be cigarette-free one year later.

It has been found that other forms of treatment - such as nicotine replacement therapies like patches, gum, sprays or inhalers - can be more successful in helping people stop for good. However, you still need some willpower for these treatments to be effective.

Is it safe?

Yes. Because you don't use any chemicals or drugs when you rely on willpower alone, it is the safest and simplest form of stopping smoking there is.

Are there any side-effects?

No. Although you may experience the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal (for example irritability, insomnia or sweating), willpower itself has no side effects.

What are the benefits of this option?

The main benefits of using willpower alone are that it costs nothing and involves no drugs or nicotine substitutes. You can help yourself by:

finding a temporary, substitute habit, such as chewing gum or drinking water
changing your routine to steer clear of situations where you would usually smoke - for example, it might help if you miss your regular nights at the pub for a few weeks after quitting
stopping completely, rather than cutting down slowly
picking a date to stop and sticking to it; any date will do, but choosing a date will help you to prepare yourself mentally
giving up with a friend or relative; that way you can support each other to stay smoke-free

What are the disadvantages of this option?

In terms of side-effects or concerns over drug treatment, there are no disadvantages to relying on willpower alone. If you do use willpower alone, however, you are less likely to stay smoke-free than if you combine it with other treatments, such as nicotine patches, gum or an inhaler.