I did it - with a little help (Nicorette Patch Step 3)

Member Name: wendyb47

Product:	Nicorette Patch Step 3
Date:	14/09/00 (103 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Weans you off the nicotine addiction gradually.

Disadvantages: Can cause skin irritation, don't smoke and use the patches as this doubles your nicotine intake!!

I quit smoking nearly two years ago after smoking for over 20 years, but I couldn't have done it without the help of these little patches. Actually, they are not such little patches as I started on the 30 size(I was probably smoking more, but not that I would admit to). The largest size (30 a day) patches are manufactured to allow a nicotine substitute to leech into your body, through your skin (yeuch, doesn't that sound lovely?)over a period of 24 hours. At the end of the 24 hours, the patch is removed, discarded, and a new one put in place. After a time (1 or 2 months)on these patches, you can move to a smaller 20 a day patch, then down to a 10 a day patch.
I found that it helped to change the position of the patches from day to day, so one day I would have it on my thigh, the next on my upper arm, then perhaps my tummy. They can be positioned anywhere that the skin doesn't crease, but I found it helpful to put them out of sight too, mainly so it didn't remind me constantly that I was giving up.
I believed from day one that I would give up smoking, and I guess a hefty dose of willpower goes a long way towards quitting, but I honestly don't believe I could have done it on my own. These little patches gave me a little boost and after only 3 months of using them I found I could do it on my own after all.
The patches can't take away all your cravings, and they can't keep you calm and rational either (just ask my husband!) but they can give you a bit of reassurance along the lines of "You really don't need a cigarette as you're getting the equivalent nicotine from these". Actually, I think the main way they helped me was to release me from the "hand to mouth" movement while still feeding my addiction. Once I got over that habit, the rest seemed to follow FAIRLY easily.
We know it's not easy stopping smoking, and I know you'll all cringe reading this, but **if I can do it, anyone can
**.

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