Forgot to mention another option. Med called Wellbutrin. Acts as an antidepressant but also is highly successful in smoking cessation. A good friend of mine could not tolerate the patch and went on wellbutrin with excellent results. She is smoke free. Everyone is different. One method I will warn you against is the nasal spray or the nicotine inhalers. We don't use them here much because of the serious side effects and hospital stays.Â
Count me in as a Wellbutrin success story! I tried everything, the patch (would get home from my non-smoking work, rip it off, and make up for lost time all evening) gum (made me puke), hypnosis (faded after a few weeks) acupunture (felt great, but I still smoked) even those things you clip on your ear (looked odd, made my ears sore).
When I tried cold turkey I had horrible depression, mood swings, trouble concentrating, and two fender benders. The Wellbutrin made it easy. You can still smoke while taking it, after the first week you just don't WANT as many cigarettes, so it's easy to cut down. Then you can start taking out the ones you think you really need, like the one when you wake up, or after meals. The Wellbutrin (also marketed as Zyban) helps even out the highs and lows, so you don't feel the need for that nicotine "boost". It took me about 8 weeks 'til I smoked my last cigarette, and about another month to make sure before I stopped the Wellbutrin. I've been smoke free now for more than SEVEN YEARS- and have no desire at all- even when other people light up around me.