Deck, our kiwi sometimes makes his points in a pointy way, he never means any disrespect. Bear, maybe it's too soon for you to be out of your cave. I belong to another site where new discussions of old topics is discouraged. They would rather you search & bump the old thread & pick up the old discussion where it left off. That can be very tedious and there are many posts by people who have long left the site. This does not make their comments less valid, but it seems less interactive somehow. I like our way better.
Now, on topic. I do not believe that it's impossible to quit without some kind of NRT or medication. However, there was a big, positive difference to me in using the patch compared to cold turkey.
I found that the NRT allowed me the time to plan well for triggers, to consider the various ways in which my life was improving without cigarettes in it, and to look forward to my nicotine-free life rather than spending 2 weeks or more in hell, unable to think clearly, unable to sleep, crying, and treating everybody around me like crap.
Yes, you eventually go cold turkey in a way, but for me it was easier and much more successful to have my turkey in a bun with some cranberry sauce, a little dressing and some mayo.
I don't have a problem with anybody making a profit (I'm a banker, waddaya want?) and if someone (the drug companies) is smart enough to make money off my stupidity (smoking), I guess next time I should try to be the smart one.
Whatever works for each quitter is the right thing for that quitter, and we patch, gum, Chantix & Zyban quitters are every bit as any cold turkey quitter.
JMHO.
[B]My Milage:[/B]
[B]My Quit Date: [/B]5/14/2007
[B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 267
[B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 5,340
[B]Amount Saved:[/B] $2,937.00
[B]Life Gained:[/B]
[B]Days:[/B] 27 [B]Hrs:[/B] 12 [B]Mins:[/B] 43 [B]Seconds:[/B] 36
