Author: tearj3rker

Posted: Mon Nov 28, 2011 8:26 am

Smoking is difficult, but for me it’s not as hard as opioids to get off. I’m on day 1 again. I had 2 months off the smokes, and only recently started again. Smoking is just like quitting opioids. As long as someone’s determined and keeps trying, they will eventually get there.

Reading all the taper stories and methods has helped me find my most effective way to quit. It’s Suboxone inspired. I get a months worth of patches, and start off strong enough that the thought of smoking makes me sick. Then over the month I slowly "taper" by cutting off tiny pieces. Also lots of chewie gum gotta be on hand. And an emergency pack of nicotine gum, just in case (security blanket). Some people need more than a month. Some patch it up for three months. I still think patches beat gum / lozenges because like Suboxone, it’s just a constant level throughout the day, and completely out of mind. It’s too easy for me to switch between gum / lozenges & cigarettes. They’re too similar.

I only need a month on nicotine patches before I live nicotine free. But I’ll need years on Suboxone before I can be opioid free.