Hi, Angelic. Congratulations on quitting smoking and welcome to the SSC.
It's so good to see someone quitting early in their life. You say you've quit 6 other times, but you cheated. That's not quitting, that's just cutting way back for a while.
Nicotine is an addictive drug that works on the brain much like cocaine does, but it's much more addictive than cocaine. Lab rats have died ignoring food, water, and heroin just to satisfy their nicotine craving. Luckily, we're not lab rats so we can beat this thing. The point is, every time you sneak a smoke you are restarting the addiction process, allowing it to regain control over you. The patch helps by providing a controlled and safe substitute delivery method for the nicotine while you get used to not handling cigarettes (the habit part). And it provides a slow reduction in the amount of nicotine in you which minimizes the craving that is the undoing of so many quitters.
Stay close, Angelic. Read and learn what works for others. Post often, let us know how you're doing and how we can help. This is a wonderful decision you've made for your life. :)
Shevie
[B]My Milage:[/B]
[B]My Quit Date: [/B] 5/23/2005
[B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 286
[B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 5,720
[B]Amount Saved:[/B] $1086.8
[B]Life Gained:[/B]
[B]Days:[/B] 53 [B]Hrs:[/B] 7 [B]Mins:[/B] 40 [B]Seconds:[/B] 34
