I was additcted to nasal spray for years as well. The only known, proven way to break it is, indeed, to go cold turkey. It takes three days. And it works! It will not be easy. You have to treat it like you would a bad cold. Take off work if you have to. You will lose sleep, your nose will stop up, it will drive you crazy. But after three days, you will have broken the addiction.

Thereafter, if you absolutely must use a nasal spray, never use it for more than one day. If you have the need a second day, use saline mist, so that you at least are alternating days. But try to avoid ever having to use it more than one time.

Good luck! Most people have no idea what a true physical dependency/addiction this is.

Hi. I am new and was looking through stuff....
I noticed your post and had the same problem when I was little. Catch a cold, use afrin, then use afrin for months-long after the cold was gone. Here is the solution!!!
Go to your locally owned family pharmacy, and buy a bottle of ocean (saline) spray. (it will come in a squirt bottle similar to the afrin one). Take your old bottle of afrin, and pour in a little saline mist. This dilutes afrins 'powers', but still has the same effect... More or less. And, you don't have to just quit breathing for a couple of days!!! Keep adding the saline every couple of days until you no longer need it! It should only take a couple of days. And, it works like a charm!!!!
Good luck

I have been using nasal spray for the past thirty years. I have used all types. I have weaned myself off many times. I know what it is like to not be able to breath, I am trying to go cold turkey right now. It is hard. I ca not breath at all without it but i know I have to stop using it. Nothing is really working for me now. If you find yourself hooked, please get off of it. I am one of the worst addicts to nasal spray. It only gets worse. i think the stuff should not be so accesible. It should be prescription.