I used the patches this time and followed the instructions and went a full 10 weeks with them, even though I felt like taking them off and being nicotine-free before that time, I kept up the program to ensure my success. It got to be that I would forget to put a new one on and that is when I realized I didn't need them anymore and I had zero problems with withdrawal when I stopped using them. For me it was useful to be on the NRT while I battled the psychological part of the addiction, which lasts longer than the 3 days it takes to rid your body of nicotine. Everyone needs to quit however is the best way for THEM, if it is cold turkey great, if it is NRT or Chantix, great, as long as you quit and stay quit how you got there doesn't matter.