Science and Health Channel Theme Day: Quit Smoking … how does the patch work?
Don’t know if Mark W. and I were the inspiration for this theme day, but across this entire channel we’re talking about quitting smoking today. My part? Well I’m in the process of quitting smoking right now. I have tried a few times before doing the cold-turkey route with no success. This time, I’m trying the patch. Which brings me to the topic of this post … How does the patch work?
First let’s understand the problem. Smoking makes you addicted to nicotine. You body craves it when you don’t get it, then makes you really unpleasant as you start to withdraw. Then there is the habit part of this problem. But it’s really hard to break the habit part when your body and brain are screaming give me nicotine, give it to me NOW! This is where the patch comes in. The patch, like nicotine gum, works to give your body nicotine so you can work on the habit part of the problem. These are called nicotine replacement therapies. Replace the nicotine delivery system from cigarettes to something else.
The patch works like this. An adhesive patch (now they are clear) is infused with nicotine. It’s done in such a way that the nicotine can be absorbed through your skin. Skin is a great way to get things into your body … good and bad.
Interesting things about the patch. You can’t put it on the same spot everyday. Stick it on one spot, you have to wait a week to use that spot again. I found that putting the patch on three different places on my upper arm made that arm feel like it was punched hard after three days. I switch back and forth now. When you put the patch on you need to rinse your hands with water … no soap. Nicotine is actually rather toxic and too much is way not good for you. Speaking of which, after the mandated 24 hr time on your body, when you dispose of it (folding in half and putting into the old wrapper … there is still enough nicotine left on the patch to kill a small child or pet. Yes I said kill.
As for my struggle with smoking. I’m doing okay. I have my weak moments (stress is a huge trigger for me), but I’m getting there.
Tags: smoking cessation, nicotine replacement, quit smoking, nicotine
May 8th, 2006 at 11:33 am
How’re you doing a few days later?
I’ll have three months in 3 days. I gotta tell ya’, I’m one of those who gets sick when they quit. I haven’t been “right” physically for almost these entire 3 months but I wouldn’t trade it.
I’m tobacco free! No patch… cold turkey…
Mark
May 8th, 2006 at 12:08 pm
I’m doing okay. I’m craving the nicotine, but the whole smoking thing. That’s the hardest part for me. Maybe if I go outside and suck on a straw for a while ;).
May 9th, 2006 at 6:52 pm
[...] As you all know I’m in the process of quitting smoking. I say process on purpose because it isn’t an overnight thing. Myself, I opted to use the patch, which gives my body the nicotine it craves through my skin. I had a check up (more like check in for a refill) with my doctor today and he had some really interesting things to say about the patch. [...]
July 24th, 2006 at 11:37 pm
As one well-known person said-To give up smoking is a very simple thing-I did it hundred times! I believe that people are more addicted not to nicotine but to the movements of their hand while smoking, it always seems that something lacks between your fingers when you decide not to smoke anymore!
October 5th, 2006 at 9:08 am
[...] Yes, I tried to quit smoking a while ago, and no I wasn’t successful. Not at all. Lasted, oh, two weeks. Yeah there is a large amount of guilt surrounding not being able to stay off the demon weed (no not that weed, that one I don’t have any interest in). Last night though, I decided to quit. Why? Coughing. I’ve been having a lovely productive cough for a while. And it’s getting worse. Clearly my lungs are telling me to cut it the f*ck out. So I finally listened. [...]