Quitting smoking can be one of the most difficult tasks a person undertakes--it's no small feat. The nicotine patch is a tool that can make this a bit easier because it provides a steady stream of nicotine into the bloodstream. The idea of the nicotine patch is to allow someone to wean themselves from nicotine while she is also adjusting to the social situations in which she was previously used to having a cigarette. Read on to learn use the nicotine patch.
Instructions
1. Understand that there are several different brands of patches, but most come in a three-step form. If you smoke more than 10 cigarettes a day, you are advised to begin with Step 1. If you smoke fewer than 10 cigarettes a day, you are advised to start with Step 2. Figure out where you should start and buy a box of those patches.
2. Choose a quit date and circle it on your calendar. This is the day you will wear your first patch.
3. Apply the patch to a clean spot on your body. You can use your arm, leg, back or other area. You may want to choose a place with less hair because the patch can sometimes stick to hair when it is removed.
4. Wear the patch during your waking hours. You can also wear it while you sleep, but you may find it gives you vivid dreams. If this happens, remove the patch before you go to bed and apply a new one when you wake up.
5. Wear the Step 1 patch for six weeks. If you began with Step 2, wear that one for six weeks.
6. After six weeks are up, wear the Step 2 patch for two weeks. If you began with Step 2, wear Step 3 for two weeks.
7. After two weeks are up, wear the Step 3 patch for two weeks.
Tags: with Step, nicotine patch, patch weeks, Step patch, Step patch weeks