FV Hospital
Tiếng Việt flag VIE
Information & Appointment Centre (028) 35 11 33 33 Emergency (028) 35 11 35 00
Quit Smoking Clinic

Methods to Quit Smoking

We combine high-quality Nicotine Replacement (NRT) with Traditional Acupuncture to silence cravings and manage withdrawal symptoms naturally.

As you probably know, cigarettes are highly addictive. It’s because they contain a chemical called nicotine. When you puff on a cigarette, it takes just seconds for nicotine to go from the lungs to the brain.

If you have smoked for a while, your brain is filled with specific receptors that eagerly await incoming nicotine. Think of nicotine as a key, and receptors as little locks. When the nicotine unlocks the receptor, a feel-good chemical called dopamine is released, giving you a little hit or buzz. This doesn’t last long. The nicotine soon fades making the receptor eager for more. Cue a cigarette craving!

NRT provides you with nicotine, which locks on to these receptors, lessening cravings and feelings of withdrawal.

Faster-acting types of NRT, which include the mouth spray, gum and lozenges gives you nicotine more quickly than nicotine patches. They help you get past short, strong cravings, and can even be used in anticipation of a craving. At our Quit Smoking Clinic, doctors primarily use nicotine gum for optimal results.

It’s very rare to get serious side effects from using NRT. Mild side effects can occur (mouth or throat irritation, hiccups), which usually don’t last long.

NRT is not recommended for:

  • Heart attack within the past 2 weeks
  • Severe heart rhythm problems
  • Severe or worsening angina (chest pain)
  • Pregnant or breastfeeding women
  • People under 18 years old
  • People with dentures or TMJ (temporomandibular joint) condition may have issues with gum

Auricular acupuncture is a traditional method used at our Traditional Medicine Department to support smoking cessation. During the procedure, doctors insert small needles into specific points on the ears to stimulate the nervous system and regulate body functions, helping reduce withdrawal symptoms. The needles can stay in place for 3-10 days, providing continuous effects. When patients experience cravings, headaches, restlessness, or discomfort, they can press these points for 5-10 seconds to enhance the effect.

How auricular acupuncture helps quit smoking:

  • Changes taste perception: It may alter taste sensations, making cigarettes taste bitter or unusual, which helps reduce cravings.
  • Neuro-hormonal effect: It helps regulate neurotransmitters and hormones such as ACTH, endorphins, adrenaline, noradrenaline, dopamine, and DOPA, which are often elevated by long-term smoking, reducing stress during withdrawal.
  • Improves lung ventilation and blood flow: Reduces inflammation, clears mucus in the airways, increases blood and oxygen flow to lung tissue, and improves lung function, motivating patients to continue quitting.


Advantages

  • Safe, affordable, and low risk of side effects
  • Can be done at the hospital or as a home service with an appointment

Along with auricular acupuncture, thread embedding is another Traditional Medicine technique used to help reduce withdrawal symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, and insomnia during smoking cessation.In this method, doctors insert a small absorbable thread into specific acupuncture points. The thread provides continuous stimulation for several days, helping reduce nicotine cravings and ease restlessness, anxiety, and discomfort. This technique is safe, effective, and simple to perform.

After each session, the absorbable thread will be effective for a long period of time (depending on the type of thread used, the absorbable time will be different). Once it is fully absorbed, the patient can begin the next treatment session.

Who should not use this method?

  • Patients in emergency conditions or with severe acute illness
  • People with significant physical weakness or pregnant women
  • Inflamed, infected, or diseased skin at the treatment site
  • Individuals with a history of allergy to absorbable threads

Smoking cessation counselling helps smokers create a plan, understand triggers, and manage cravings to quit successfully. Combining psychological support with Nicotine Replacement Therapy and traditional medicine offers the best success rate, often doubling or tripling the chances of success.

Key Counselling Approaches & Techniques

  • Behavioural counselling: focuses on identifying smoking triggers (e.g., stress, coffee, social situations) and developing coping strategies.
  • Motivational interviewing: techniques to help individuals strengthen their motivation to quit, exploring the reasons that they may feel unsure about quitting and find ways to make them feel more willing and able to stop smoking
  • Acceptance and commitment therapy: helps smokers quit by changing their relationship with cravings rather than just fighting them. It focuses on accepting uncomfortable urges (acceptance) while committing to actions that align with personal values, such as health or family
  • The 5 D’s for Cravings: Delay, Distract, Drink water, Deep breaths, and Discuss.

We provide a direct line

You will have a direct way to reach your doctor so you never feel alone during a difficult moment.

(028) 35 11 36 60
For more about the smoking cessation service in FV

Contact us at: IAC (028) 35 11 33 33

Quitting is difficult and we’re here to help you no matter what it takes.

Contact us for consultation and appointment booking

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