I used the patch for the first two weeks so I could unlearn the habit part and know what to expect when I couldn't smoke.
once I had experienced those urges and got my head around the fact i wasn't dying, I knew i could deal without the patch.
its really about how much you are going to limit yourself or look for excuses.
I didn't have the roadmap I am giving you when I quit. No site that I know of watches and keeps track of what people experience during their quit and when. I use general terms to describe the emotional things we experience because they can vary but, I am more concerned with giving you a timeline because that's what I wish I would have had.
once you have the roadmap and a couple weeks under your belt, it all becomes clearer and not so fearful.
After those first two weeks on the patch (5 years and 8 months ago), I joined a website.
I learned everything i could. I asked questions. I watched peoples successes and failures.
I feel the most important thing about this roadmap is knowing about the unexpected craving in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th months. This is the time most people give up and their unpreparedness for these unexpected attacks is why. I watched it over and over and over.
Starting with the patch may work for you or you may have your own plan, or, you can stumble around defeating yourself until you get tired of that.
Whatever you choose, please, think about logically guiding your quit instead of taking the "whatever happens, happens" approach.
Yes, you will experience some strange things physically and emotionally.
Nicotine is a powerful drug and generates changes in the body. These have to be undone.
But, if you get your head around this and ask and listen, we've watchedt for years and we can help you through the easiest way.
