Briget - The patches or the nicotine gum can be helpful in getting through the withdrawal phase. Most people don't use the gum properly, though - you just chew it a couple of times to release the nicotine, then park it in your cheek like chewing tobacco. When the cravings return, give it a couple more chews and park it again.
The patches come in three strengths so you can gradually decrease the dose. People who wake up craving a cigarette usually need to start with the highest dose - lighter smokers find the highest dose patch too strong, and need to start with the middle dose.
One KEY thing you need to do to prevent relapse when you get off the nicotine patch or gum - you need to use that time on the patch to CHANGE YOUR HABITS AND SURROUNDINGS. Basically, you have worn a "groove" in your brain of all the habits and cues you associate with smoking. You cannot expect to do the same things in the same places at the same times and NOT crave a cigarette. So - you need to get creative about recognizing your triggers and changing them.
Do you always smoke when you talk on the phone? Put it on speakerphone and keep some knitting by the phone to occupy your hands. Move the phone to another room.
Do you always have a cigarette with your morning coffee at the breakfast nook? Move breakfast outside and have iced coffee or diet coke for your caffeine fix instead.
Do you always smoke when you drive? Keep a giant carton of chewing gum in the car.
Figure out the when and where of your cravings, and consciously plan to change those things. meanwhile, use the patch or the gum to gradually wean yourself off the nicotine.
Also - calculate how much you spend in a year on cigarettes (you'll be appalled!) and think of some really great thing you could buy yourself with that money instead. Post a picture of that item in a prominent place where you'll see it and be reminded of what smoking costs you - and what you'll gain by giving it up.
