Originally Posted by
Augie 
I'd like to think that, when/if cravings of any sort return, I can regard them mindfully and watch them come and go, just like any other thought or emotion I don't want to "hook" me. My next test of this approach will come when I start cutting down on the patch. Now that this thread has reminded me of that "conceptual surgery" I was talking about, I reckon I'll start prepping soon and work on removing "more nicotine" from the realm of possibility. We'll see how it goes.
I suppose that would correlate with AVRT somewhat, since one must be mindful of the desire to drink/use/smoke when it comes, and then essentially disregard it as ego-alien. As for the nicotine patch, I'm more of a cold turkey fan myself.
BTW, the parts I put in
bold face sound like self-doubt as to your own ability to quit, i.e., your AV.