cancel
Showing results for 
Show  only  | Search instead for 
Did you mean: 

Give and get support around quitting

Powerman4516
Member

Just trying to quit today after 20 years

Is it okay to smoke a little when using the patched?

16 Replies
Sootie
Member

Powerman4516

Hello-----you will get to know all of us if you stick around (and I hope you will). There is an Elder on here (ELDER-= long time quitter) who had a saying when I first came on that I LOVED and always remembered..................................

If you are quitting smoking, but are still smoking, you're doing it wrong.

Again-----hope you stick around this site. The support here is incredible and we have a good time too.

Welcome to EX----we are all here for each other.

sweetplt
Member

Hi and Welcome to Ex’s ... I have never used a patch, however if I were you I would read what it says on the package about smoking and using a patch.  

indingrl
Member

Welcome Powerman4516!  Please follow the directions you received with the patches -  thank you.

elvan
Member

I did not use the patch but I do not think it is wise to smoke at the same time as you have it on.  Pay attention to Sootie‌.  Education about this addiction, support from others who have been there, and your own commitment will get you through anything.  I suggest that you read a couple of blogs by JonesCarpeDiem‌ that really helped me.../blogs/jonescarp.aka.dale.Jan_2007-blog/2011/06/26/what-to-expect-in-the-first-four-months and 

My Welcome To New Members (10 Years Of Watching)  You might also really like a blog by YoungAtHeart‌  https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/thread/17060-for-our-new-years-quitters-and-community-members-too 

Welcome to EX, I hope you will take advantage of the advice and the suggestions and that you will read everything you can about nicotine addiction.

Ellen

jconfusion
Member

hi I believe you shouldn't smoke at the same time as wearing a patch it will affect your heart. good luck and welcome!

Sootie
Member

I forgot to "credit" the ELDER----sorry Dale-----you can find him JonesCarpeDiem

Hi there and welcome. I was a patch user. I absolutely would not smoke while wearing the patch.  Nicotine overload! Get some licorice and when the cravings hit, munch on those.

YoungAtHeart
Member

Welcome to our community!

Once you start with the patches, it should be AFTER you make the decision to stop smoking.  Continuing to smoke makes their use null and void.  You also may be getting an overload of nicotine (a cigarette is about 1 mg; add the mgs. of how many you smoked to the mg of the patch you are using - they are absorbed differently, but you get the idea!)

The important thing you can do right now is to educate yourself on what nicotine does to your body and mind. To that end, I highly recommend Allen Carr's “The Easy Way to Stop Smoking.” This is an easy and entertaining read. You can search for it online or at your local library. Here's a link to a video here on the site which describes nicotine addiction: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpWMgPHn0Lo&feature=youtu.be.
 
 You should also read the posts here and perhaps go to the pages of folks who you think might be helpful. You might visit whyquit.com, quitsmoking.com and livewell.com for the good information contained there. @https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/groups/best-of-ex has lots of blogs written by members of this site with their experiences and guidance.


The idea is to change up your routines so the smoking associations are reduced.  Drink your coffee with your OTHER hand in a place different from when you smoked. Maybe switch to tea for a bit.  If you always had that first smoke with your coffee, try putting your tennies on right out of bed, going for a quick walk, then taking your shower and THEN your coffee! Rearrange the furniture in the areas you used to smoke so the view is different. Buy your gas at a different station. Take a different route to work. Take a quick walk at break time where the smokers AREN'T.
 
You need to distract yourself through any craves.  You can take a bite out of a lemon (yup - rind and all), put your head in the freezer and take a deep breath of cold air, do a few jumping jacks, go for a brisk walk or march in place, play a computer game.  Keep a cold bottle of water with you from which to sip. Don't let that smoking thought rattle around in your brain unchallenged. Sometimes you need to quit a minute or an hour at a time.  You will need to be disciplined in the early days to distract yourself when a crave hits.    Get busy!  Here is a link to a list of things to do instead of smoke if you need some fresh ideas:


 https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/blogs/Youngatheart.7.4.12-blog/2013/02/25/100-things-to-do-instea...

The conversation in your head in response to the "I want a cigarette" thought needs to be, "Well, since I have decided not to do that anymore, what shall I do instead for the three minutes this crave will last?"  Then DO it.  You will need to put some effort into this in the early days, but it gets easier and easier to do.
 
Stay close to us here and ask questions when you have them and for support when you need it. We will be with you every step of the way!


 Nancy

JACKIE1-25-15
Member

The correct answer is No.  You can proceed to the head of the class.  Welcome to EX Powerman.  You have come to the right place to get support to quit smoking.  First things First.  I am a firm believer that education and preparation is the key to a successful quit.  Sounds like you are just jumping in and that is okay too.  Start first by educating yourself on addiction to nicotine. https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/groups/best-of-ex/blog/2013/08/11/foundation-for-a-successful-qui...‌ this blog will give you a jump start.  Also, it is advisable to read Allen Carr's Easyway to Quit Smoking which can be found on pdf on the web.  Another good site to get info is www.whyquit.com.  There are several articles to read.  Nicotine 101 and Freedom From Nicotine My Journey Home.  If you have any questions you can do a search with the magnifying glass type any key words and research.  If you have any questions just ask and give up the opportunity to respond.  To learn more about quitting go to My EX Plan | BecomeAnEX  to get help on navigating the site go to. Community Help‌.  Again Welcome, there is more to come.