DenaliBlues

NOPE

-12

^^^ this @LPatto, I am so sorry that you suffer! But you have come to the right place for help. First and foremost, educate yourself about ADDICTION. Vaping/smoking is not just a bad habit… not at your level of consumption. Nicotine is a chemical dependency every bit as serious as heroin. So you need to understand both the physiology and psychology of what is happening to you. It sounds like in a good faith attempt to wean yourself you have actually fallen more tightly into the grip of nicotine. By combining vaping + patches you are keeping your nicotine receptors constantly activated and hungry, which will intensify rather than reduce the cravings. A vicious circle. This is why weaning rarely works. There are many ways to quit: cold turkey, nicotine replacement, champix, 12-step programs, etc. Each has its merits and limits. All of them work when diligently followed. In your shoes I might suggest that you find a counselor/therapist that specializes in addiction or smoking cessation… someone who understands withdrawal and can help you through the anxiety and loss that quitting will stir up. I also would consider getting a second opinion about the champix or wellbutrin. But, as Uncle Penguin and Quitting Girl said, there is no way thru but thru. Withdrawal is miserable. But it gets better. It doesn’t last forever. I promise. Peace and freedom await you on the other side! You CAN do this.

-11

menu

Repo Man

Hooligans

Aspic

nope

-10

Khaki

Physical therapist

safflower oil

Frankenstein

-9

nope

Congrats @Reciprocity! Well done on your 8 years and thanks for all your support. Enjoy some pampering at that well-deserved spa day!

Naturalist

Incognito

Dracula

Welcome @Tarvic. Glad to have you with us. I, too, used nicotine replacement in the first weeks of my quit. It was a useful tool, better than lighting up, and I’m glad it was available. But it has a drawback: as long as you are still using NR you are keeping your nicotine receptors activated and “hungry” for their next fix. So gum, lozenges or patches may actually prolong the suffering of withdrawal. Something to think about. Anyway, there are lots of good resources here to help you quit. Read, stay busy, and let us know how you’re doing. Engagement here really supports a strong quit. See you around!