EX Community

AnnetteMM · ‎11-30-2021

From WhyQuit.com, quitting's only rule:

The Law of Addiction states, "Administration of a drug to an addict will cause re-establishment of chemical dependence upon the addictive substance."

You will never be free from nicotine until you are free of nicotine.

Full. Stop.

sweetplt · ‎11-30-2021

Great reminder Annette @AnnetteMM

Hope all is well with you…Colleen 1093 DOF

Barbara145 · ‎11-30-2021

NRT's are not using drugs. People who use NRT's are more likely to be still not smoking at the end of one year than those who do not use NRT's. Sure don't want to discourage using the patch or what ever pharmaceutical nicotine one chooses. I personally had to use 2 forms of NRT to quit smoking.

AnnetteMM · ‎12-01-2021

I personally have no stake in however anyone wants to quit, @Barbara145 . BUT, just a reminder that as long as nicotine is still being put into the body, there will be withdrawal from said DRUG when it stops. That is science, my friend. One must be prepared for the inevitable actual quitting of the DRUG, because as another reminder, NICOTINE IS A DRUG. If you are using NRT, you are using a DRUG. Also science.

Barbara145 · ‎12-01-2021

Having done it myself both ways, getting off NRT"s is a cake walk compared to quitting smoking.

Barb102 · ‎12-01-2021

I agree Barb! It was the only way I was able to quit after many tries. No big deal taking off the patch and not chewing that awful gum. Whatever works..works. Stop the smoking and vaping first The rest comes easy! 1414 DOF

AnnetteMM · ‎12-02-2021

Congratulations @Barb102 and @Barbara145 for using NRT successfully. That doesn't make what I said wrong. A supportive reminder that NRT is still nicotine can be necessary for some people who may wonder why it's so hard to quit. We hear that every day, do we not? It certainly is not supportive to tell people it's easy, or a cake-walk, to quit NRT when they're having such a miserable time of it. It's downright dismissive, to be honest.

But I mean, if you really feel that strongly that NRT isn't nicotine and therefore a drug, I welcome you to post your own blog saying so, despite it not being true. I really don't understand why you feel it necessary to come on here to argue with me.

Barb102 · ‎12-22-2021

everyone is entitled to their own opinion. All of us are trying to help others to quit. No one said quitting NRT was easy or that it wasn’t nicotine and a drug. All I am saying is please don’t discourage the use of NRT, if it’s the only way you can quit. It was the only way for me and prescribed by my pulmonary doctor. How people quit is really their business as long as they quit. That’s all that matters and NOPE which includes vaping Sorry you thought I was arguing with you just because I don’t agree with you. I never said it was easy nor was I being unsupportive of anyone I am way too sick to argue with you. Once again I wasn’t arguing with you just not agreeing and that’s allowed Very unnecessary to tell me to start my own blog

CommunityAdmin · ‎12-22-2021

Hello all. I see this journal post is getting a bit heated. Remember we're all on the same team with the purpose of helping people quit. Everyone's journey is unique.

Nicotine is drug that comes in a variety of delivery systems. Nicotine Replacement Therapy is one of those delivery systems to help people off of other types of delivery systems that can be considered more harsh for the body. There are plenty of posts on the community where some people have quit with NRT and others who have struggled. There are some people that because of their DNA need NRTs to quit combustible tobacco. There is also feedback from members on the community that they are addicted to nicotine from sources that don't include tobacco (Vaping, NRTs and Tobacco-less pouches). We're here to help those people too.

For those who want to use NRT, great, but have a plan to get off of the NRT. It's intended to be used for a short period of time with the intention of weaning off to low levels until the person stops using nicotine completely. For those who don't want to use NRT, that's fine too. Each person choose what's right for them and their personal medical situation.

TigeKtm · ‎12-22-2021

I tried to quit 2 times with nicotine gum and or a patch. I failed because nicotine was still in my body and brain. I'm approaching 3 weeks and I feel great and I have no desire to go back to cigarettes. I still get the urge but it passes quickly. I'm in control since nicotine is out of my body and I'm in control of my brain!

Barbscloud · ‎12-23-2021

@CommunityAdmin

9. MYTH: Nicotine replacement products are as addictive as smoking

THE FACTS: Most people using NRT products do not become dependent on them. In fact, one of the biggest problems with NRT is that people don't use enough of it for long enough. It is important to use your nicotine replacement for as long as you need to stop you going back to smoking.

CommunityAdmin · ‎12-23-2021

@Barbscloud Correct. Most people don’t but there are some people who struggle getting off them. We recommend using them as directed as they work for people when used as intended.

Metroguy · ‎12-23-2021

I just want to chime in here and say I am not sure how helpful it is to have posts that unintentionally shame people who are using NRTs as a pathway to stopping. I understand that there are some very strong opinions on this topic, but imagine people who are new to the forum or moving past the contemplation stage to creating a plan? Does this make them feel welcome or does it turn them off?

The research overwhelmingly shows that people who are most successful with stopping smoking have three things in place:

1 Support systems

2 Nicotine Replacement Therapy

3 Counseling (which can come in the form of a support group)

Sorry, I just worry about people who are using NRTs (I do) and may not feel welcome. I remember these kinds of posts on Quitnet back in the day.

Best,

John

CommunityAdmin · ‎12-23-2021

@Metroguy thanks for adding the perspective of a new member. I appreciate that. We do want new members to feel welcome and confident here on EX and use our resources and support of the community to successfully quit. It’s helpful that you shared this to open eyes and minds. Happy Holidays!