Smoking Addiction & Recovery Support Group

The CDC claims that nicotine is a "very addictive drug" that can be "as addictive as heroin or cocaine." Nicotine is typically eliminated from the body within 2 to 3 days, however, physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms may last for much longer depending on the individual. If you are trying to kick the habit, this community is dedicated to giving smokers the...

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DivineSilence 02/07/2013

In a couple of days I start to taper down to the weaker patches. I am a little worried about going through withdrawals again. I know the psychological part is what I got rid of first but I have come to enjoy having not much in the way of cravings and am worried about going through it again as I actually withdraw from the nicotine.

Anyone else use the patch and what was it like when you went to the lower dose ones?

MayberryDeb 02/07/2013

Hi Devine,
Yes, you probably will go thru type of withdrawl but how severe I don't know. I DO know that we al have been thru this same withdrawl, no matter which method we chose to quit. Quitting is a process and it takes hard work to be completely nicotine free. I am so glad you are past the psychological part and are doing well. Little by little you WILL get completely off ALL nicotine. The rewards for that are HUGE!!!!
Keep up your fantastic quit and ....
Keep Breathing Free

ozziequitter 02/07/2013

I was on the highest dose for 2 weeks, very irritating to the skin but i was deperate to quit. Dropped to the second grade and only minor craves, no skin irratations. Stayed on the 2nd grade for a month very comfortably but then dropped to the lower dose and it was like being hit with a freight train, sweats and craves that drove me balmy, so i put myself back onto level 2 and stayed there for about 2 months. Some days i would forget to put one on, somedays it stayed on for a couple of days but one day i just stopped wearing them and quit CT. Had a few light craves for a day or two but by this time i was sweet smelling and rethinking my routines, so i just weathered thru it. I just liked not smoking better than going back to spending all that money to smell like a walking ashtray. Each day without a cig makes us just that bit stronger, pretty soon we become quite awesome strong people. I found that the strength i acquired thru quitting rolled over into other areas of my life. Every quitter asks..when does it get easier?. The answer is...as we get stronger.
You are off to an excellent start, stick with it, the rewards are wonderful.

debraccc 02/07/2013

hiya
protect that quit. If you need to stay on higher strength patches then do that. I did and I have stayed quit. I agree with Ozzie stay on the patch that is working. try going down a strength and see how bad it is, If its real bad atay on the stronger one for longer
Hugs Deb

sgm825 02/08/2013

. I found that the strength i acquired thru quitting rolled over into other areas of my life. Every quitter asks..when does it get easier?. The answer is...as we get stronger.

Well put, Ozzie. Thanks for that.

DivineSilence 02/08/2013

Thanks everyone. I will bull my way through it. I already like being a non smoker more than I liked smoking so I think I will be ok.... but it is nice to know I can stay on a stronger patch longer than recommended if needed. I do have an e-cigarette and maybe that will be enough to get me through any rough spots. Thanks again!

deleted_user 02/10/2013

the patch worked for me but when it run out wanted to smoke .lower dose patch dont work for me .the best one for me was the 1st. high dose patch..

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