The Nicotine Patch – An Effective Tool or Worthless Crutch?
Thousands of people set a New Year’s resolution to quit smoking and a large percentage actually do try but don’t make it too long before they start puffing away again. Cold turkey, hypnosis, nicotine gum and the nicotine patch – all are various ways people try to quit and all with varying levels of success. The patch is, by far, the most popular smoking cessation product on the market but the question is, does it truly work?MORE_TEXT_TAG_
The nicotine patch is designed to be placed on the skin where it delivers a measured stream of nicotine that is absorbed by the skin and delivered to the bloodstream – all without the harmful carcinogens that cigarettes and other tobacco products delivers. That is all fine and good, but the patch is delivering nicotine, the very additive that is habit-forming. The key to using nicotine replacement is gradually lowering the dose of nicotine delivered in the patches, which is why you see various milligram doses.
How many people actually adhere to this tapering method? How many people expect miracles without properly following the product instructions? The bottom line is the nicotine patch is only as effective as your willpower. If you are truly committed to following the instructions to quit smoking for good, you will eventually wean yourself away not only from cigarettes but from the patch too. It is the tie to nicotine that must be severed.
There are a few pro and con camps for the nicotine patch. The people who go cold turkey are usually very adamant about it being the best way to go. Of course, you will deal with withdrawal, mood swings and more. With the patch, while you are still getting nicotine, you are controlling how much you are getting and you have the power to taper off its use. The key to the nicotine patch is not to abuse it. Don’t use it as a crutch, a "healthier" substitute to polluting your lungs, but rather what it really is – a tool to a healthier and fresh smelling body.