Nicotine Substitutes

[Evanna]

It has been a few months since i smoked now and i am really proud of that. However, i am still using nicotine gums so still have an active nicotine addiction. I have been using gums with lower nicotine content than in the beginning. But i still get moody and bad tempered in that nicotine addict way if i dont have my gums nearby.

As it has been a couple of months since i last smoked i am beginning to wonder if i should be concerned about this. Sometimes i think that as i was smoking heavily for a long time (40/50 day in the end) then i should give myself a break. I am doing well and if the gums help maintain that then so be it. I will quit the gums when i am ready. At other times i think that it is really about time i sorted it out and stop with the gums. I worry that the whole time i hang on to the nicotine addiction with the gums then i may be just keeping myself that bit nearer to relapsing on the cigarettes as i am keeping the nicotine addiction alive. Sorry if thats a bit woffly.

I would be interested to hear what other people think. Give myself a break or sort it out? Maybe you even think something entirely different that i had not considered. Your thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks as ever to Historyteach for the quit tips.

[eddie z.]

Originally Posted by Evanna

Sometimes i think that as i was smoking heavily for a long time (40/50 day in the end) then i should give myself a break. I am doing well and if the gums help maintain that then so be it. I will quit the gums when i am ready.

Hey, Evanna! Good to meet you. My vote, and it is just my OPINION, is give yourself a break. I quit smoking back in May with the help of nicotine patches AND gum (and this website) because I was smoking about the same amount as you. In fact I've been meaning to start a new thread on this forum because I started smoking again! You're the first person on here I've confessed this to.

First, I quit smoking, then tapered off the patches, then tapered off the gum, so I'm not sure exactly when I became nicotine-free, but I had not had so much as a puff until about 3 weeks ago. I've been thinking I should get some more gum and start over. Maybe we can taper off the gum together! I think the thoughts you had that I quoted above are right on target. The gum is close to harmless, especially compared with smoking two packs a day.

I wish you very well!
Love and hugs, Eddie

P.S. Now I have to go confess to the others.

[Evanna]

Hey Eddie. I have put down the whip. That was exactly the re-assurance i needed ((((Thank-you))))

As for the tapering off together idea...i like that one.

Big hugs Evanna.

[eddie z.]

Very happy I could help! You're welcome!
Now I just need to get some gum. I'm pretty low on money. About how many pieces are you chewing each day and how many milligrams are they?
Peace, love, and hugs,
Eddie

[Evanna]

Hello Eddie.

Violently chewing around six 2mg gum (s) a day. Lol, saying gum does feel very weird. When you are feel ready i will be here.

[eddie z.]

Six a day of the 2mg is not very much. That's fantastic! I wouldn't worry about staying right there, but you could try dropping down to five for a few days, then four, etc. That's what I did last summer. And I will let you know when I'm ready. Thanks bunches!
Love and hugs, Eddie

[Hopefloats]

May I chime in???I quit for over 2 years. Went back around the time I learned of my AD's addiction:>( I used the gum the WHOLE time and it kept me off the cigs. My doctor approved and said gum OVER cigs ANYDAY:>)

I am new to quitting again..but I am also chewing the gum. I buy the 4mg and cut it in half. More for my money, and it seems to work better for the cravings than the 2mg. I buy it off ebay for ALOT less money and it is new in the box. For a box of 108 pieces, I usually pay around 34 or 36 dollars with a 4 or 5 dollar shipping fee. FAR cheaper than the store. Ebay carries the patches too!!!!!

Good luck to ALL OF US, and if there is anything I can do to be supportive, you can count me IN.
God Bless!!!
HOPEfloats

[mikee]

Evanna,
Any Nicotine sub is better than smoking, however the chemistry of Nicotine:
(c10-h14-n2) is a poisonous alkaloid in any amount or form and will remain in ones system for 72 hours after completely withdrawing from it. Even a single cig or one piece of Nicotine gum, can cause a full blown relapse, no matter how long anyone has quit! Good luck! Keep trying.

TC mikee

[Evanna]

lol, thanks Mikee. I forget sometimes (most of it actually) that what i have learnt in NA is absolutely applicable to the nicotine/smoking thingy. Your post reminded me of that somehow. Thank-you.

Hopefloats. Brilliant news that you are quitting again. Tremendous that you managed 2 yrs. Glad you are here.

Eddie, 5 today.

[eddie z.]

Bl**dy Brilliant!!
(to quote someone I know)

—EZ