After over 50 years of addiction, I'm trying to quit. Tried cold turkey and gum before without much success, the only time I quit was in basic training because I couldn't. But then they said smoke em if you got em, so I did, he ll they had small packs included in the c rations, MRE for the youngsters.

 My question is long term use of the patch. I was surprised how well they work for the physical cravings, but the biggest problem is psychological. It's hard to give up your best friend always there no matter what. I know that total abstinence is best, but if I can't I think 4/5 a day with the patch is better than a pack a day. The program is 3 months long and smoking is permitted first two weeks and hopefully will get to zero, but if not, I think it's better than before a pack a day.

TIA

Not sure if Champix/Chantix is still around.

Worked for me in 2009 cold turkey following the directions.

However.....something was different that time....after 37 years, I simply wanted to give up.

Good Luck on your personal attempt.🙃🙃

Anything is better than inhaling smoke. Though the patches still have nicotine which isn’t good for the BP though you’ll get your nicotine fix, not much different than chewing tobacco.

Thanks for the input. I know it's stupid, but I do enjoy a smoke, a few a day would be fine, but 20 a day isn't working. I was required to take spirometry testing for work and 20 years ago the doc said I had the lungs of a 90 year old, but I could walk all day no problem. I wouldn't be running marathons or climbing mountains, but it didn't affect my daily life. After I had Covid 2 years ago it slowly got worse. The meds I'm on seem to work well and my breathing capacity has returned. I'm thinking worst comes to worst the patch and a few cigs is better than nothing.  

13 minutes ago, walt1 said:

Thanks for the input. I know it's stupid, but I do enjoy a smoke, a few a day would be fine, but 20 a day isn't working. I was required to take spirometry testing for work and 20 years ago the doc said I had the lungs of a 90 year old, but I could walk all day no problem. I wouldn't be running marathons or climbing mountains, but it didn't affect my daily life. After I had Covid 2 years ago it slowly got worse. The meds I'm on seem to work well and my breathing capacity has returned. I'm thinking worst comes to worst the patch and a few cigs is better than nothing.  

No. You actually don't enjoy a smoke. Your receptors have conditioned you, similar to Thai education.

As long as you say that you enjoy a smoke you are not gunna win.

Your story has been told billions of times. Get Tuff.🙃🙃

Are the nicotine patches available in Thailand? Do you need a prescription?

They would be for my wife who is making another attempt to quit cold turkey. She did quit once for 6-7 months while on chemotherapy for breast cancer... but sadly resumed after treatment.

I usually manage to get my nicorettes bought in from friends who are visiting as the local rates are quite a ripoff and never to sure if they are genuine or fakes.