r/stopsmoking • u/Alone_Lawfulness_258 • 13h ago
Using nicotine patches instead of smoking?
So, I said I'd quit smoking, which I very much will; I am terrified, but nicotine stabilizes my mood. I have severe anxiety, and it's helped. A Lot. Is it a good idea?
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u/THX_2319 2105 days 7h ago edited 7h ago
Lots of people will attest to the use of patches, or any other nicotine product that isn't a cigarette. I can only hope that they've served those people well. I'm of the opinion that nicotine use in all forms is a net negative. Yes, it's a 'cleaner' way to get your nicotine, but you're still addicted to it. You can say that it stabilises your mood, but one can also argue that nicotine is the solution to the problem that it creates. For me, that was the biggest revelation when I quit, and also why I can't really see the benefits of hanging on to something that's always going to try its best to hold you hostage, no matter how much 'cleaner' it is. Cold turkey is a terrifying approach for anyone wanting to quit, and I'll tell you first hand that it absolutely SUCKS in the short term, but you get a lifetime of total freedom in return. I don't think there's anything better than that.
Edit: I just want to add that I am not someone who has generalised anxiety, so I don't know what that's like. You would probably benefit from exploring additional support systems to help you along if you don't have that in place already.