Does the Nicotine Patch really work?!

Best Answer - Chosen by Voters

Nicotine patches are certainly no substitute for a good old cigarette hanging between the lips! But, patches are very helpful in curbing nicotine cravings, and therefore reducing withdrawal symptoms, when you can't smoke, or are trying to quit smoking. I used them in 2006 when I last tried to quit. I think patchs are the only reason I made it to Day 4 before I caved in. Today, I still use them on occasion, when I know in advance that I will have to go for long periods without a cigarette.

Patches come in 7, 14, and 21 mg doses. It is very very important that you do not wear a patch and smoke at the same time; you could get a nicotine overdose. If you decide to quit, I would suggest starting out wearing a 21 mg patch throughout the day, and work down from there. The 21 mg patch may be too strong for you to sleep with, try sleeping with a 7 mg patch, which may also be too strong.

Experienced with both smoking and nicotine patches

It will stop you from going into nicotine withdrawal. But remember, nicotine isnt the only thing you are dealing with with smoking. Depending on how long you have been smoking, you are also dealing with a habbit that has been reinforced through classical and operant conditioning for years.

So, while it will help step you down on nicotine, it WONT prevent the physical desire to smoke or break the physical habbit of lighting a cig, taking a hit, etc.

works for some!