Nicotine Addiction

[abbydajo]

I’ve been reading a lot of articles on here and posts about nicotine addiction. I have not SMOKED in a little over a month, but I am still using the patch and lozenges! So… I guess I still have nicotine brain!

My life coach says that it’s okay to use these for an aid to quit smoking, but the articles make it sound like I’m still nicotine dependent… I am confused. 
I just don’t know what to do. I thought this site and support was going to help me, but I’m finding it is making me think about smoking and nicotine more than I was! 
It’s seems to me it’s like alcoholics wearing a booze patch! I’m confused and thinking about leaving this site and getting on with my life without this constant reminder . Not  okay this morning 

[Bubbles318]

I have no idea if there is an absolute right answer. All I know is you decided to quit smoking and it sounds like you’re doing it. If the patches or gum are helping you right now, a month in, I can’t imagine that that’s a bad thing. You’re doing it! YOU HAVE NOT SMOKED IN OVER A MONTH! Celebrate that! Worry about when to cut out patches or gum some other time, right now be proud and celebrate what you have accomplished. I, for one, am super impressed and cannot wait to be standing where you are right now. 

[Barbscloud]

@abbydajo  You're doing great.  There is nothing wrong with using an aid to quit.  There are successful quitters on this site that have used every aid available.  I used Welbutrin and nicotrol inhalers for this quit.   

  Follow the instructions to wean yourself down and you'll be fine.  For example the  patch is used for 8 -12 week.

Please read the attached information I compiled about nicotine replacement.    Yes some people have become addicted, but it's a small number.   And they probably didn't follow the instructions.  

https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/t5/Journals-Blogs/Nicotine-Replacement-Yes-or-No/ba-p/1029378

You're probably not the first one to say being here makes them think about smoking more.  You have to do what's right for you.  If you don't feel you should be here everyday, then use the site as needed.    Just remember to reach out if your facing a difficult challenge.  We'll still be here for you.

Celebrate your success!

Barb

[YoungAtHeart]

I agree with Bubbles!  You have accomplished your main goal - learning to live as an ex-smoker; the psychological part of the addiction.  That's what NRT's are meant to do!

Yes - you are still getting nicotine, but the aids have served their purpose.  In time (and that will be trial and error), you will need to gradually wean yourself down off the nicotine.  This quit thing is a journey, not an event, and you must be patient with the process.  In time, you can start to reduce the amount of gum you chew by cutting one each couple of days in half until you are only getting two total a day.  Then you can try subbing a regular piece of gumof the same flavor in between two of the NRTs, then sub one every other.  Eventually you will get off the NRT gum this way.  THEN you can try a lower dose patch for awhile.  You will deal with a tiny bit of withdrawal as you work your way off of the NRTs, but nothing you can't handle.

The more you understand, the better.  You are STILL dealing with the addiction, and your frustration is more a withdrawal, probably, than anything else.  The folks here speak of THEIR experiences, and just as each person is unique, so is every quit experience.  We have a saying:  "Take what you need and leave the rest."

I hope you hang around.  This place has helped many, many people be successful - me included.  It's why I hang around still almost nine years since I got the support I needed to quit.  I want to pay it forward.

[maryfreecig]

I talk about smoking and nicotine addiction a lot because smokers often don't believe they are addicted to something, instead, they think they just love smoking. Ironically nicotine in and of itself is not known to cause the common diseases associated with smoking such as lung cancer. 

Using nicotine substitutes is widely regarded as a useful aid to quit. Many if not all in the Ex community agree that each person chooses their own way forward.

Congratulations on 30 days. 🙂 You did it one day at a time!!!

[sweetplt]

@abbydajo You keep doing what you feel is working for you...the biggest thing is breaking the habit of “hand to mouth”...the aids will be weaned in time and you will be totally free...for now you are quit and doing it Abby...take what helps you and leave the rest...Wishing you a Happy Sunday ~ Colleen 881 DOF 

[JonesCarpeDiem]

We are all nicotine dependent until we aren't.  🙂

What do you think they do for you?

I used the patch. I stayed away from the self administered nicotine because I felt I would be connecting to it every time I had a urge to smoke and it would be harder to disconnect so I trusted the patch. I didn't continually think about by trusting the patch.

My second week, when I forgot to put the patch on two days in a row, I put pone in my wallet with a promise I would put it on rather than smoke. I never needed it.

[LKevinl]

Yes, you are still getting nicotine in your system. You are not getting carcinogens and poison into your lungs. Nicotine is the additive to get you hooked. I have dropped down to level 4 patch. Don’t need it. So, yeah , it’s like Linus’s blanket. It’s security. And the Wellbutrin ? Keeps away the craving and handles the anxiety. Don’t stress over patches. Stress when you don’t wear them and the cravings are bad.

kevin

[abbydajo]

Thank you all! I just started my 14mg patch. Going down!

 I understand and today has helped from your posts! I’m going to my Dr tomorrow and going to talk to him about my anxiety along with this. I was on 21mg for 4 weeks. So it was time to go down!! 
Most of my anxiety is from my husband’s lung cancer surgery coming up, so bare with me! 
Going to bed, tomorrow is going to be a better day. Hopefully my Dr. has some additional advice. 
Hope y’all have a good week. I’ll check in.

Abby❤️