Have you ever quit 'cold turkey'?
If you have quit in this fashion, then you are very aware of how powerful those nicotine withdrawal symptoms really are. Did you have success by quitting cold? I hope some of you did, but having been a nicotine addict myself, I feel that the answer might be "No!".
Have you ever quit and then started back?
Oh, the torment we go through during the painful nicotine withdrawal symptoms, the fighting for our freedom from nicotine, the enduring increased stress and the revealing to others that 'I am quitting'. It is a huge event in our lives. Unfortunately, many times we are soon facing the incredible aggravation, irritation, frustration, embarrassment, blow to our self-confidence and ego when we seemingly helplessly breakdown and start back on the nicotine! It is incredibly miserable to experience this self-induced torment each time we conquer our nicotine addiction, but then fall back into the clutches of nicotine again.
Why should we go through misery longer?
I don't believe we actually want to experience nicotine withdrawal for long periods of time, but I know that the experts recommend we quite slowly, giving our bodies time to adjust to each level of decreased nicotine. I have tried quitting nicotine in every way possible and many times over, with varied degrees of success. I have found that I much more prefer getting past the misery of nicotine withdrawal in a shorter amount of time and at a less expensive cost.
When I have followed the regular course of action using the nicotine patch, it seemed that I had to experience the misery of nicotine withdrawal all over again at each new decreased level of nicotine and then yet again when finally I stopped the patch all together. The recommendations are to use the nicotine replacement for a minimum of 8 weeks, which includes up to 3-step downs before actually going through the final nicotine withdrawal when stopping the use of the patches. The cost of the patches are comparable to the cost of tobacco products as well.
I have often wondered if profit played a part in the nicotine replacement companies desire for people to 'take it slow' when quitting nicotine. I fully admit, using a nicotine replacement is much less painful and much more conducive to remaining stopped than is quitting 'cold turkey'. This fact is why I choose to use them, however, I achieve success and maintain my results more effectively by altering the recommended amount of time I use the nicotine replacement product.
You CAN decrease your misery and still be successful!
If you're like me, and you don't want to experience the pain of quitting for extended amounts of time plus you are tired of spending your hard-earned money on nicotine, then this variation might be right for you. You can try this method and see if this will work for you. I know some people would rather have more time to adjust to each decrease in nicotine, and for them, this is not the method to use.
I have remained nicotine free for over a year, this time. Before this I was nicotine free for over 3 years, When I started back after quitting for 3 years, I was absolutely disgusted with myself. I wanted to quit again, and I wanted to do it QUICKLY! I hated the smell, taste, cost and effect on my health. I decided that I would not spend the hundred and fifty dollars it would take to follow the 'recommended' dosage instructions for the patches, but I also knew that if I tried to quit 'cold turkey' I most likely would not succeed. I needed a middle ground.
I contemplated using the gum sparingly, but I have had better success with the patches. They are tasteless, virtually odorless and out of sight. I purchased ONE box of the step 2 patches and made up my mind that this was going to be it.
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