I smoked an embarrassing amount per day for an embarrassingly long time. Let me clear up a few things for you:

1. There is absolutely no negative physical side effects to quitting. None. Nada. Zilch. You won't shake, your stomach will not get upset or anything else. Again, absolutely no physical repercussions to stopping.

2. You do not need the patch. No one does. Why? See #1. While the patch indeed keeps nicotine coursing through your body the entire effect is psychosomatic (because once you ignore the pang your body immediately begins to compensate. The deal is mental not physical). There is a reason why you feel the need to light up about every hour. You are indeed addicted but "withdrawal" as it were passes very, very quickly. It actually takes about 5 weeks for all the nicotine to leave your body but don't sweat it. You'll not notice.

3. What you need to be aware of is the habit part of the habit. You see, you'll find yourself lost the next time you want to take a break at work or you are sitting in traffic or it's after a meal or the phone rings - whatever it is that you normally light up during. Here's what you do - follow the lead of those around you. When you take a break at work look for others taking an in-place break and join them. After a meal, immediately take a little walk. On the phone doodle or put one of those small, 100 piece puzzles near the phone and put it together while you are yakking. On and on. In other words, change your habits and your habit will disappear.

It takes some time. What doesn't? I promise you, you'll be fine. You'll need a little stickum at first but again, not for long. Again, don't buy into the bull****. It's not Chinese torture. Set them down and walk away. You'll need to be resolute and be willing to change. You'll wake up one day and laugh at how easy you got through it. Then, NEVER get cocky. You abused a product to the point you became addicted. You can't "enjoy it" anymore. You are done with smoking. That's it. You'll be done.