How nicotine patches work
Addiction to smoking can be broken down into two parts:
- The physical addiction to nicotine
- The phychological habit of smoking (one after a meals, a few when you drink, one as you wake etc)
Nicotine patches stick to your body much like plasters. They slowly release nicotine into your bloodstream which releaves cravings for nicotine - letting you get on with the psychological habit that you have developed while smoking.
How to use nicotine patches
- If you smoke more than 10 cigarettes a day you should start on high strenth patches (15mg). If you smoke less than this start the nicotine reduction therapy on 10mg patches
- Nicorette patches are worn continuously for 16 hours
- You should not apply the patch to the same part of your body each day
- If the patches leave a mark on your skin this can be removed with baby oil
- A patch should be applied at the same time every morning. It should be removed after 16 hours at bedtime
- After 8 weeks of not smoking you should switch down to the 10mg patches (if you are not already on them). If you have smoked - keep on the 15mg patches until you have quit for a continuios 8 weeks
- If you get intense cravings try supplimenting the nicotine patches with the use of a Nicorette nasal spray
- After 2 weeks on the 10mg nicotine patches - switch down to the 5mg patches for 2 weeks
- This will bring you 12 week course to conclusion. You will now be free of the physical addiction to nicotine. You will still have to conquer the psychological habit of smoking - but the worst of it is over
Are nicotine patches right for me?
Nicotine patches are an unobtrusive way of getting nicotine into your system. They can be worn under work clothes and can be moved to different parts of the body to be concealed by whatever clothing you choose to wear.
The patches sometimes refuse to stick to certain skin types. Any pharmacist should let you try a patch to see if you have a skin type that won't work with patches. Some people with sensative skin may react badly to pathces. If the patches irritate your skin - discontinue use.
Nicotine patch brands
- Nicorette patches:
- Niquitin CQ clear patches:
- Nicotinell patches:
How long does it take to withdraw and how many nicotine patches will I need?
It will take you 12 weeks to physically withdraw from nicotine. In this time you will get through:
8 weeks of 15mg nicotine patches : 8 weeks x 7 days = 56 15mg patches
2 weeks of 10mg nicotine patches: 2 weeks x 7 days = 14 10mg patches
2 weeks of 5mg ncitone patches: 2 weeks x 7 days = 14 5 mg patches
That's a total of 84 nicotine patches
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