Pennsylvania, February 3 -- According to a new study, nicotine patch therapy as a strategy to aid smokers quit was more effective when used over an extended period of 24 weeks instead of the recommended eight.
In addition, experts found that using nicotine patches over a longer period not only reduced the risk for relapse, but also increased the chances of recovery after slipping.
Study author Robert Schnoll, an associate professor of psychology at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine stated, “Our data suggest that the many smokers who relapse while trying to quit will be especially helped by extended treatment, which appears to make it easier for smokers to 'get back on the wagon' after a small smoking slip, instead of having it turn into a full-blown relapse.
