More on the patch, quitting smoking, and the physiology of addiction
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.
While he thinks the patch is good for starters, there is a flaw in it. The lowest dose available is 7 mg (miligrams). I’m on the 14 mg right now (and will be for a couple more weeks I think). My next step is the 7 and then … whoops nothing. My doc said that I need to be ready to deal with the total absence of nicotine when I stop my 2 week stint on the 7s. His suggestion to me was to try the gum as my last bit.
So the patch works to reduce the amount of nicotine I’m getting, but he really thinks that there should be smaller steps. Because right now my body is getting used to 14 mg. When I drop that by half, I’m going to have some adjusting to do. Our figuring together was that there are manufacturing limitations in making lower dose patches, and it’s probably confusing (and maybe economically infeasible) to have more than a few steps in the process.
My doc (who is my age and we actually look a lot a like … well he’s 6 feet + tall and I’m far from that) has done his homework on this and is right up on the latest studies on how some people are more wired to become addicted than others (I’ve read those whose mother’s smoked when pregnant with them are in this group).
Bottom line. It’s not an easy process for many, it’s going to take time and creativity. My doc is glad, of course, that I am quitting.
Tags: smoking cessation, quit smoking, the patch
11 Comments
Tris,
I am very proud of you!
As a non smoker, I dont really understand the whole addiction thing. But I am glad to know that you are working hard to beat the demons down, with a really big stick!!!!!!!!
go you!!!!
L
Keep on keepin’ on dude!
I’m with ya’!
Thanks Mark and Laura. I’ve managed not to smoke at all for two plus days. I know it isn’t going to be easy, but Lorraine has quit too so we can support each other.
Er, maybe there’s a flaw here, but couldn’t you cut a patch in half, or thirds, or quarters??
Nope. I thought about that too. My guess is
cutting it would disrupt the action … not to mention allow nicotine to leak out the sides of the cut edges.
I just had a mild relapse and smoked a pack over 3 days. This was after 2 months smoke free. It’s very hard to break this habit.
Yeah I slipped yesterday and had a cigar, a small one, but still.
Like this blog so very cool, this topic caught my interest too as I am also fighting the evil habit…grrr went 6 days cold turkey and dam it today…someone pissed me off a work and sure enough look what happend…
Off I go again… no more smoking after today…
I think i have had a real eye opener..working at a Drs office seems like every day someone is getting a diagnosis of cancer soo sad.. and so many ppl around me have someone in there life with cancer
Thanks for stopping by Dara!
It’s a tough haul for sure. I’m doing better, but yeah that little extra stress … well you know.
Recently I read the story of one boy who also tried to give up smoking and he said a very interesting thing- it turns out that people are more addicted not to amount of nicotine but to the movements of hand that they do while smoking….
I’m glad you are quitting.I have tried numerous times over the last couple of years without success.I smoked for 12 years and believe it is more mental addiction than anything else.I haven’t had a cigarette in 12 days(spent 4 on patch)and i think it is beause i finally want to quit badly enough.I had to make smoking a non-option in my life.I know you can do it(i tell myself that too)and i wish you the best.