QUIT SMOKING

By Chris Smithers





Patches work because they contain nicotine. So if you wear a nicotine patch then you will get your dose of nicotine without making any effort. You just wear it on the skin, usually on your upper arm or even on your butt - Yes, that really is recommended by the manufacturers!

The idea is that you can stop smoking immediately because you don't have cravings anymore. You don't have cravings anymore because you are getting your nicotine in other ways. Sounds good in theory but what about in practice?

I tried nicotine patches when I was at college. You get them in different dose levels so I chose a medium dose. I read the instructions and decided to slap one on my upper arm and then I went to class.

After about 30 minutes, I started to feel woozy. This was a Spanish class and I could still think straight and speak in a different language but something wasn't quite right. I decided that I didn't like getting nicotine this way and as soon as the class finished I ripped the patch off and lit up a cigarette. The instructions said that you shouldn't smoke so soon but I didn't care!

So why did I react badly? I guess it's because patches deliver nicotine in a slow release through the skin instead of via the lungs. It gives you a totally different sensation but it wasn't for me.

So what can you learn from my experience?

Patches might work some people, in fact they do work for some people, but for others they are not the best way to quit smoking. Each person reacts differently to the same treatments. Luckily, there are many different ways that you can stop smoking and there will be at least one out there that is just right for you.