Safe Speed Forums

I wondered if anyone has had any experience with the nicorette patch things.

I would class myself as a non smoker, except that when I have a drink I smoke as well, probably about 5 in a night, usually once a week.

Its not a lot but I do want to stop, are the patches suitable for the occasional smoker?

Thanks

If you are only smoking once a week then you've already beaten the physical side of the addiction and I doubt the patches will help you.

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What makes you think I'm drunk officer, have I got a fat bird with me?

i doubt patches do anything for anyone. my missus gave up 2 weeks ago. she went to the doctor about something else and mentioned that she no longer smoked. he offered her patches which she refused. its all about willpower and actually wanting to give up. no matter how much you throw at it, if you dont truely want to stop, nothing will work

hence i havent attempted to give them up

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Richie

SSAFA supporter
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=126025031585

Agreed. However the OP may well want to "do something" to replace the smoking when he's drinking once a week.

I've never used patches but the lozenges worked for me. They don't taste too good with beer though, so a patch would be best in this instance.

I found the lozenges surprisingly strong (even the 2mg ones), and TBH the effect wasn't really the same as tobacco. But taking one whenever I had "the urge" did do the trick.

All in all, I don't see why the OP shouldn't wear a patch when he would otherwise smoke, but he should do so with a view to stopping altogether fairly soon. The good thing is that even the PC brigade haven't managed to find anything about therapeutic nicotine that causes any ill health effects (as long as you don't exceed the stated dose).

Just out of interest, is it the smoking ban which has prompted this?

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Paul Smith: a legend.

"The freedom provided by the motor vehicle is not universally applauded, however: there are those who resent the loss of state control over individual choice that the car represents. Such people rarely admit their prejudices openly; instead, they make false or exaggerated claims about the adverse effects of road transport in order to justify calls for higher taxation or restrictions on mobility." (Conservative Way Forward: Stop The War Against Drivers)

You missus has stopped even though you continue? Good on her shame on you

Not my experience. I tried for some time (say 3-4 times a year for about 4 years) to give up using will power alone, but it seems it was not enough, always getting so far in and then failing.

Tried once with the patches, followed the instructions and never had another.

However I don't think they are produced for people like the OP, but personally I wouldn't worry about 5 a night once a week anyway.

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It is difficult to get a man to understand something when his job depends on not understanding it.

Upton Sinclair

I found the chewing (well tuck it in your cheek) gum good, as it gave a noticeable 'hit' of nicotine, rather than a background level like patches.

fatboytim

My dad is using the chewing gum. He used to smoke cigars. He's been chewing gum for 5 years now and it costs him more than if he was smoking.

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Prepare to be Judged

I've managed to get down to about 10 a day (from low 20s) using gum - plan to stop once I'm down to 5 a day...

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I won't slave for beggar's pay,
likewise gold and jewels,
but I would slave to learn the way
to sink your ship of fools

its my health and i will do what i like with it. i know the government would like me contributing to their coffers til the end of time but i have no intentions of reaching retirement age

NO to anti smokers
NO to exercise
NO to low fat healthy options

its my life and i will die if i want to

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Richie

SSAFA supporter
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=126025031585

Forget patches,

buy a book called "the easy way to give up smoking" by allen carr. I smoked my last ciggie at the end of this book, two years ago and by cold turkey alone. In fact it was a pleaureable experience believe it or not.

The book was only a couple of quid and better still, doesn't patronise the reader like many of these smoking cessation services etc.

This is what I don't understand I've seen it here, and I've seen it on PH, Why are people so anti patches?

They simply allow people to come down slowly from a nictotine high, it's nothing special, just a pre-designed dose of drug that is reduced over time to stop the effects of withdrawal. Apart from myself I know a few people that have quit smoking by using them. They do not cost the tax payer (unless prescribed by a doc) and do no-one any harm.

You are not a better non-smoker if you give up through will power alone than if you do through will power and patches, that's complete bollocks. The only good non smoker is the ones that never smoked before and the ones that will never again, regardless of the method.

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It is difficult to get a man to understand something when his job depends on not understanding it.

Upton Sinclair

I smoked for 41 years.
Last November I said that I would stop on the 1st of January. I went to the anti smoking clinic and asked about some patches to help me.
I just got the 16hr ones with a mild dose.
I had my last fag at 23.50 on New Years eve and after 21 days I gave the patches up.
Will power is needed but the patches must have helped.
The last time I tried stopping I could not stop thinking about a cigarette and really craved one.
I have not had a cigarette since and now I realise how awful the stink is I wish that I never started smoking.
I'd say patches work but you need the right sort.

All these people giving up smoking and then complaining that the government are putting up taxes!

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Prepare to be Judged

i can only speak for me but the reason is simple. THEY COST MONEY

also, patches are like pills. you believe they will help therefore they will help. if you believed a piece of salami stuck on your arm would help you give up would that help? yes because you believe it will. its psychological benefit more than anything else except in my case but thats because i dont believe in anything. im more of a tried and tested guy but if i see no point in the first place, i wont try or test a product

conversely, this is why i dont vote. i dont believe a damn word that is spouted from any politicians noise hole

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Richie

SSAFA supporter
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=126025031585

Got the patches a few years ago -after several other attempts to stop --all i can say is that for the past few years i haven't had a ciggie - longest i've gone - but i believe i haven't stopped smoking - just gone so long without a smoke, and after about 3 years still take it one day at a time - some days after all this time gasping for a smoke, but now in a better position to resist it

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