Nicorette Addiction

[Tips]

I've been chewing Nicorette for about ten years. I chew between nine and eleven pieces of the 2mg a day. What are the harmful effects of the gum (beside, obvious addiction). And, do you have any suggestions as to how to get off the gum?

[IBKleen]

Former...Hi!

You are posting on a thread from 6 years ago. I don't think these folks are here anymore.

You should start your own post. Go to the top of this page and hit the "post a question" button. Take care.

[Kirssten]

Addiction to nicotine gum is real.  I quit smoking using the gum and the patch.  After weaning the patch after 2-3 months, I chewed various brands of gum for two years.  I developed gastrointestinal problems, mouth sores and decayed teeth.  The generic versions are notorious for stomach cramps and diarreha (sp?) which was resolved by switching to nicorette cinnamon. (which I love!)  The difference in my pearly whites is astronomical.  More cavities than ever before, gum seperation, teeth worn down and staining.  Finally after 12-14 pieces a day and over $100 in cost a  month (comperable to cost of cigarettes a month, why aren't these things cheaper? Nicorette must be raking it in at our expense) I'd had enough.  Additionally, the self-hatred you feel addicted to cigarettes is the same with the gum.  The constant need for a piece of gum is classic addiction.  I quit the gum using the patch - 21 for 14 days, 14 for 14 days and 7 for a week.  Boy it was hard though not as hard as giving up cigarettes.   And lots and lots of Orbit gum.  Brush your teeth constantly.  Carry ice cold water at all times.  Remember that after 3 years of giving up cigarettes I still think about it.  But the GUM DID HELP ME QUIT!  The gum will soothe your withdrawal symptoms.  You must stop the gum as soon as you can.  The mouth and hand association with nicotine is what you must conquer.   It is hard to accept that after giving up cigarettes the world does not suddenly become Nirvana.  The gum is only a step in a very long but worth it process.  If it makes you feel any better, I heard Obama is addicted to the gum too.

[acepilot]

i m 54 now n started smoking since was 13 and did about 30 cigs a day till 10 years ago , then shifted to nicorette, to which addicted for last 9 and half year, doing about 30 2 mg gum. tried many times tgo quit by reducing gradually and suceeded to reducing to 5 gums a day for months but would revert to 30 or so. my conclusion: whether i quit when used to 5 gum or 30 gum, pain would be same , so no sense in reducing it gradually and just have to go cold turkey on nicorette, same way went for ciggartees,. on a flight about 6 months ago, i decided impusivley and ask the stewardess if she could throw the nicorette and give me a beer. cheerfully she did that. for 3 nights, i kept myself drunk . it was terrible mainly on the 3rd dy , the first week and all the way upto 3 weeks. mainly survived by drinking 2-3 nights a week, go to sleep early . many times thought would come to have just one oiece and start a fresh tomorrow but somehow i managed. after 3 weeks, i knew , i have beaten it though the craving was there, strong albiet managable now. its 6 months . sometimes , there is a sudden strong flesh of craving but i think i got it made. ace

[Nicotinelady]

After I smoking for over 30 years, I became addicted to nicotine gum.  I have been chewing it for over 10 years and chew alot of it!  I want to stop.  I have started cutting the gum in half and seem to still chew alot.   Help!  Has anyone tried acupuncture?  Any other suggestions?

[Andy1965]

I quit smoking a half a pack about 4 years ago....the patches helped originally...but the nightmares were...well...a nightmare....Nicorette appears to have figured out how to make bank with all the new flavors and pretty packaging.....I buy the boxes of 100 or so pieces of gum...I have figured out that since the 2mg and 4mg boxes cost the same (40-55 bucks) I might as well buy the really tasty Fruit Chill 4 mgs...I chew half at a time and eat maybe 10 or so a day.......it's a &^%$#@ nightmare......if I dont have I feel exactly the same as I did w/o a cig.....good luck getting off of this people....trust me.....I need to buy stock in whoever makes this ****......I like the little booklet they provide in every box....goes straight to my recycling bin....at least one thing positive comes out of it...........think I'll start chewing.............

[aquitter]

I too ended up a gum/lozenge junkie.  After being a 'don't care who sees me smoking' person for years I quit smoking because of the health risks and because I was embarrassed.  Funnily, I became embarrassed about the gum/lozenge as well...I hid it for years.  I used the gum/loz for over 5 years & have finally quit because it was making me feel crappy.  Heart palpitations & severe bloating.  I quit after cutting down for a few months.  I did it cold turkey after feeling crappy one morning after a few drinks and a lot of the lozenges (would use them like ciggies when having a drink). I didn't feel like having any nicotine that day & just kept going.  Anyway, been off for about 2 months & am planning on staying that way.  Too long a struggle.....wish I knew then what I knew now about smoking...what a long long road to quitting...it's still a challenge.  Would also like to agree w/ earlier comment about cost...big pharma making lots off this stuff...happy to keep you addicted!!
Good Luck All