I have used both methods, and I agree with CW...it really is all a matter of attitude and mental state. If you believe patches are helping you quit smoking, then there's a very great likelihood that they will. If you believe "Cold Turkey" is going to be difficult, it probably will be. The reality of it is that "Cold Turkey" is absolutely nothing like the Cold Turkey heroin addicts go through, with the sweats and the shakes and all the rest of it. It's really just like being a bit hungry, I'd say, about that level of "pain" - i.e. not much at all.
I wouldn't believe anyone's statistics either...for example, according to the NHS, you are deemed to have been a successful quitter if you are still not smoking X amount of weeks after stopping, even though you may still be on the NRT. They don't base their figures on the number of smokers who are still quit after 6 months or a year. So pretty meaningless, if not actually dishonest.
Finally, I had terrible problems sleeping when I was on the patches. Trouble getting off to sleep, and awful nightmares whilst asleep. They're not for everyone, I guess.
Good luck Barb Drink lots of lemon juice and water get the nicoteen out faster. Linda. xx ps They say it only takes 72 hour so not that long and I will say this it feels so good cos you are doing it with out help. Not that it matters how we quit my partner quit same day has me and only came off nrt 2 day ago. xxxxxxxxxx
I feel that because i still get bad craves on the patches i might aswell come off the patches now and get myself nicoteen free and hopefully not to many craves.
Barb x
I have been quit for 1 Month, 1 Week, 10 hours, 8 minutes and 24 seconds (38 days). I have saved £26.89 by not smoking 768 cigarettes. I have saved 2 Days and 16 hours of my life. My Quit Date: 12/03/2008 00:00
I have to say, after using NRT in past quits, I am finding this quit easier (CT).
The fact that I am nic free gives you a huge boost in your resolve to quit. No longer am I tied to it at all and its a great feeling. You will feel it too probably when you no longer use NRT.
I just feel totally free of being a slave to nicotine and I love it woo hoo
Edit: Also, I read occasionally some people have trouble lowering their nic dose in the patches and coming off them totally so its like they almost go through two 'quits'. Obviously, going CT, you're no longer to tied to anything. Go for it!
Just to set the record straight though, according to recent research using a product [whether it be NRT or Champix] gives higher quit rates than Cold Turkey. In fact if you are using a product and getting help from a Stop Smoking Spe******t you are four times more likely to have a successful quit.
Not that I am saying that anything is a miracle cure or better than another. Every individual has their OWN habit and is the only expert in that habit.
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