I'll give advice on this even though I have quit multiple times and have my new quit date set for 19 Sept 2016 (tomorrow lol)
Most people that intend to quit with the ecig end up replacing their old nicotine habit with the ecig. Quitting the ecig can be as difficult as the original habit for some - not all, many people have been successful with the ecig but keep in mind you may be transferring the addiction. I have tried both Chantix and Wellbutrin and quit on both the first time fairly easily. Chantix made me suicidally depressed the first week but I finally evened out. Wellbutrin for me was speedier than coke, but it worked well the first time. I recently tried it for three weeks a week ago and as this was my first time trying it sober it was like legal speed without any dopamine response. It decimated my sleep cycle which is why I am typing this at 0200. Nicotine patches have served me well, and that is the route I am going to take tomorrow. I have managed to quit nicotine in the past for months at a time and this is what I've learned so far.
1. Break every single association you have with cigarettes. Do not use nicotine inside of anything, not your house, your friend's, bar, or car. Make it inconvenient. If you pair caffine and nicotine, stop. If you have nicotine when you first wake up stop and do some of your morning routine first before you have nicotine, or set a time, for instance wait an hour. If you have nicotine directly after eating, again postpone it - go for a walk first or clean something. Keep yourself occupied at all times. Break your associations. That makes a world of difference. Also, if you have a craving brush your teeth or use mouth wash.
2. If you find yourself ruminating over nicotine try nicotine replacement (patch, gum, lozenge). I have been able to use the patch to quit. For nicotine replacement to really work I found initially the replacement levels of nicotine have to be slightly higher than your average consumption. They recommend one a day but I absolutely stick two of those babies on my ass first thing in the morning on my quit date, one on each cheek.
DO NOT BUY GENERIC PATCHES. I have tried generic patches from both CVS and Wallgreens and they literally do nothing. I was so desperate one time I actually chewed one...tasted gross and still nothing In the interest of harm reduction, please do not chew patches...it was a moment of weakness, I was drunk, I was desperate (couldn't drive for smokes, store was too far to walk), I was stupid, and above all very lucky that they don't work. I actually have 40 patches from CVS languishing at my house now. I thought I would be slick and get a script for patches to save money. My husband picked them up and wouldn't you know it, $80 for gd CVS patches that do nothing, I can't even return them (so upset). But Nicoderm, they stay active for 48 hours.
I quit using patches on this rotation:
Day 1: 2 fresh patches - took one off before bed, left one on for evening withdrawl and morning cravings
Day 2: Left Day 1's patch on and applied 2 new patches. Removed Day 1's patch before bed, went to sleep with both of Day 2's patches on.
Day 3: left both of Day 2's patches on applied one fresh patch. Removed 1 of Day 2's patches before going to bed.
Day 4: removed second Day 2 patch left Day 3's patch on and applied one fresh patch. Removed Day 2's patch before bed.
Day 5: removed Day 3's patch and applied fresh patch. Removed Day 4's patch before bed.
I repeated the above for a few days (just wear one old and one new patch) until nicotine was not entering my mind. Once I was not thinking about it I worse one 21mg patch a day, slept with it on, left it on for an hour after I applied the new patch (takes some time for fresh patches to kick in) then removed it when the fresh patch kicked in.
This may not be something everybody should try as you can OD on nicotine. This worked for me because I consumed a large quantity of nicotine. In order for patches to work for me initially the level of nicotine in my system has to be a little too high. It doesn't feel good, nausea is an issue, but there are zero cravings. All of the above were done with 21 mg patches. I used a similar method on the step down to 14 mg patches, and then with the 7 mg patches. To step off the 7mg patches I wore a fresh patch everyday for the first five days and then let the fifth patch get stale (wore it for three days) before jumping off the patch.
Disclosure - I smoke two to three packs of Marlboro Ultra Light 100's a day when actively drinking. When sober it would range from one to two packs a day. For this to work for me I had to first break all smoking associations and then begin the patch. If one does not use a high level of nicotine consider attempting the above with a lower level patch. Take the time to do the math to figure out you daily and hourly nicotine consumption before arbitrarily sticking patches on yourself as nicotine is actually a pretty powerful stimulant and you can get very ill or die from an overdose. ODing on nicotine is terrible and you can easily identify the process initiating by feeling extreme nausea, light headedness, cold sweat, heart palpatstions, overall fatigue, and a sense of impending doom and panic. If you begin to feel these symptoms remove all patches immediately and drink some water. Within five minutes you should start feeling better. If you do not, or just feel terrible call 911. There could be very real cardiovascular responses so don't take these symptoms lightly and don't try to drive if you think you need the medic.
Didn't intend to write this much, sorry for the novel. Will say this, it takes twelve hours for nicotine to leave your body. The nicotine addiction is really difficult to break, but in terms of withdrawal, it's really not bad. I have quit many substances and I promise you as far as withdrawals go, nicotine withdrawal is very mild and short lived, it's over in a few days...the flu is more unpleasant. If you are really struggling with symptoms try Lobelia inflata as that will help minimize them. Please keep us updated and good luck!
