Among all the different treatments available to quit smoking, what is generally considered to be the best, most effective way to quit and stay quit? I want to quit but I’ve been having a hard time with it.

I struggled to quit for a long time, but never was comfortable with pills or patches. And at the end of the day, I found an intelligent way to quit smoking.
The important thing is to realize that smoking creates strong emotional bonds – and it is these bonds that need to be severed. Physical cravings only serve to wake up memories of the emotion…
Once that realization and awareness sets in, it is then important to reframe your thinking about smoking. Instead of saying “I am stressed and therefore I smoke” say “I am stressed but there are other ways to deal with it”. This shift in thinking is important.

Cold turkey has been shown to be the most effective method over the long run. That’s what I did when I quit in 1994. For years I tried to quit using all sorts of methods, but when I was ready, it went like a breeze. I had 3 cartons in the house when I decided to quit, & I smoked every single one of them. My doc gave me a prescription for the patch in case I needed it.(Remember, back then there weren’t as many options available as there are now.) I just timed it so tht I had one cigarette left after supper, smoked it, & have never touched another one. I have to admit tho that if I’m in line at a store, & the person ahead of me is a smoker (you can smell it!), I have to restrain myself from asking “hey if I give you a dollar can I chew on your sleeve?” In other words the urge is still there but I’m strong enough to resist it. You just have to want to quit more than you want to smoke. Do it!! Its amazing how much better you feel!