Cold Turkey or NRT - share your thoughts and experiences here:

First time I quit was in 2004 using NRT inhalators and nic gum (patches didn't work for me) and that quit lasted 9 months.

Second time was in 2006 using the same NRT method and that one lasted 6 months.

Both times the start of the journey was relatively gentle but I never really got rid of the need for nicotine and both times I eventually succombed to smoking.

The last time I quit cold turkey last June and I have to say the experience has been completely different. Sure, the first coupld of weeks were uncomfortable, but not more than I could cope with, and before I knew it I was nicotine free (72 hours).

I felt better almost immediately, and the mental buzz of being free of nicotine as an incentive in itself.

Also when I quit the first 2 times I had no idea how much nicotine I was still using - I was simply employing a different delivery method. Having said that, I really do think those quits did break down the habit and certainly got me into quit smoking mode, so those attempts were not wasted.

So a big thmbs up for Cold Turkey - for me there is no other way.

What about other peoples' experiences?

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