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Not only are women less successful at quitting smoking than men, but they also experience greater withdrawal symptoms.

According to Washington, D.C.-based Sherry A. Marts, Ph.D., there are two ways the brain responds to smoking: the physical changes that the drug elicits in the brain, and the psychological craving for the act of smoking. It is the second component that women struggle with the most. “It’s often the feel of the cigarette in the hand or the taste of smoke that triggers more cravings in response to the environment,” Marts says. In other words, the act of smoking becomes a larger factor in the addiction than the nicotine itself, which explains why a nicotine patch alone might not be enough to kick the habit.

An estimated 75 percent of the United States’s female smokers say they want to quit. So how do you do it? Consider these three options, Marts suggests:

Prescription antidepressants. Short-term use of antidepressants has been shown to lower anxiety levels that drive addiction; see your doctor for more information.

Counseling and group support. Finding others who are going through the same battle as you can make all the difference, and having a counselor guide you through the process is a great motivator. For help in your area, call the American Cancer Society’s toll-free hotline at (800) 227-2345 or log on to cancer.org, or the North American Quitline Consortium website at naquitline.org.

Employee assistance programs. Many employers offer smoking-cessation programs or can direct you toward a support group; ask your human resources department for more information.

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