Can NRT (nicotine replacement therapy) be addictive?

Nicotine is the addictive ingredient in cigarettes, and it's harmful to your health because it's responsible for making you want to keep smoking. When you smoke, the nicotine reaches your brain quickly - in just a few seconds. Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) provides much lower levels of nicotine compared to cigarettes, and it's released much more slowly. As the amount of nicotine is much lower, it's much less likely to be addictive.

What is NRT?

When you stop smoking, your body misses the nicotine that tobacco provides. Nicotine replacement therapies (NRT) give you a gradual, low dose of nicotine, which helps to avoid strong cravings and other withdrawal symptoms. Studies have shown that using NRT to quit smoking doubles your chances of success.

NRT is designed to reduce the need to smoke by weaning you off nicotine gradually. You should aim to use NRT for 8-12 weeks before cutting down the dose until you can stop using it completely.

NRT comes in several forms, including:

• patches , to stick on your skin,
• tablets, lozenges and chewing gum , and
• inhalers, and nasal sprays .

All these forms of NRT come in different strengths and release nicotine at different speeds. For example, nicotine is released within a few minutes from nicotine gum, nasal sprays, tablets and lozenges. However, it may take a few hours for the nicotine to be released from nicotine patches.

NRT is safer than smoking and addiction is unlikely

Addiction to nicotine is related to the speed at which it's absorbed into your blood. It's therefore very unlikely if you're using nicotine patches. However, addiction may be more likely with other forms of NRT, where the nicotine is absorbed more quickly.

Although NRT reduces the need to smoke, it doesn't give the same satisfaction. It's therefore easier to stop using NRT, than it is to stop smoking. The risk of becoming addicted to NRT is small - much smaller compared with the risks of continuing to smoke. About 1 in 20 people who use NRT to stop smoking continue to use it in the longer term.

NRT is much safer than smoking and doesn't expose you to any new risks. It replaces the nicotine you would get from smoking, without exposing you to other harmful substances, such as tar and carbon monoxide.

To avoid becoming addicted to NRT, make sure that you follow the instructions carefully and take no more than the recommended dose. Talk to your doctor if you're worried that you're becoming addicted to NRT.

Where can I get NRT?

You can buy most forms of NRT over-the-counter (OTC) from pharmacies. You can also get NRT on prescription from your doctor. However, some forms of NRT, such as bupropion, are only available on prescription.