Nicotine Patches - Will it help Me Quit Smoking?

Of all the stop smoking aids that are currently on the market, nicotine replacement therapies (NRT's), or nicotine patches, are one of the most common methods used for stopping the addiction of tobacco and quitting smoking.

These nicotine replacement aids were initially introduced onto the market in 1992, and were available on a prescription only basis to those people that were urged to quit smoking cigarettes by their doctors for health reasons.

The "patch", as it is commonly referred to, has seen success in that the use of these nicotine replacement aids has literally doubled the success rate with people who are serious about stopping their habits and want to truly quit smoking cigarettes. Some people have achieved their goal of quitting smoking by using the patch.

However, it is important to note that these replacement aids are not the do-all/be-all cure for smoking cigarettes. In some instances, they haven't worked.

However, the reality involved is that you have to be psychologically ready, and have a true desire to quit smoking if you are expecting the nicotine patches to work and be effective.

If you adopt the mindset that quitting smoking will be beneficial to you in many ways, you will achieve gaining the freedom from nicotine addiction from a long-lasting perspective.

Nicotine patches, like Nicoderm, are exactly what their names imply, namely stop smoking aids. The nicotine patch works by absorption - small amounts of nicotine are absorbed into the skin and then enters your bloodstream. They are not considered to be a cure for stopping the addiction.

Granted, these nicotine replacement therapies are extremely helpful tools with little chance of side effects/reactions, but the bottom line is you, the smoker, and whether or not you sincerely want to stop smoking. So you see, it is not purely a physical addiction --- things have to be right psychologically with the person who smokes as well.

Usually found in different dosages, and ranging in size from one to two inches square, a nicotine patch resembles a bandage in some instances, while in other cases, they are clear and made from an adhesive material.

Nicotine patches normally come in three dosages or strengths --- 21mg, 14mg, and 7mg --- indicative of the stages of using the patch as a replacement aid in order to kick the habit and quit smoking.

The 21mg dose patch is best recommended for people who are used to smoking a pack of cigarettes (20) on a daily basis. Once this first stage is complete, you step down to the 14mg size for the second stage of your quit smoking program.

Finally, the third stage involves using the 7mg patch, and if the therapy is working, then once this stage is complete, you would move into this stage of the process to stop smoking and eliminate your addiction to tobacco.