AAAArgh...Nicotine addiction but not smoking!

[Nos4r2]

I quit smoking back in September using nicotine gum. I feel loads better for it-but I'm now addicted to the damn gum! Anyone got any tips for getting off the stuff?

 

[ricksrster]

Re: AAAArgh...Nicotine addiction but not smoking!

Well....The only two ways I can think of is weaning yourself off using the gum or maybe the patch. The other is cold turkey. If you choose cold turkey make sure you lock up any fire arms and sharp objects.

 

[ricksrster]

Re: AAAArgh...Nicotine addiction but not smoking!

Oh, yea. Fishing is excellent therapy.

 

[Nos4r2]

Re: AAAArgh...Nicotine addiction but not smoking!

Tried the patches-for some reason they don't stay on properly while I'm at work. <br /><br />You're right about cold turkey-it's hell. Tried it twice and had to get some gum to save my girlfriend's sanity.<br /><br />It'll be better weather for fishing here in a couple of months

 

[ZmOz]

Re: AAAArgh...Nicotine addiction but not smoking!

Maybe try hookah smoking? The mixture you smoke in them is only about 30% tobacco, so the nicotine level is really low...but it's still there.

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: AAAArgh...Nicotine addiction but not smoking!

 

[Nos4r2]

Re: AAAArgh...Nicotine addiction but not smoking!

Originally posted by ZmOz:<br /> Maybe try hookah smoking? The mixture you smoke in them is only about 30% tobacco, so the nicotine level is really low...but it's still there.

tee hee I never smoked tobacco in my hookah...<br /><br />But seriously, after seeing the crap that's still coming out of my lungs in thick black lumps I'm not going to smoke anything again. This was what came out in a 24 hour period (gross I know,but it was one of the things that helped strengthen my willpower not to smoke again)<br /><br />

<br /><br />If anyone's really grossed out by this just say so and I'll remove the pic.

 

[Kalian]

Re: AAAArgh...Nicotine addiction but not smoking!

Cold turkey is probably the best. I've never been able to do it with the nicotine gum or cutting back. I tried smoking lights, but I just smoked more of em. Try cold turkey on the nicorette and chew a sugarless gum instead. (the sugar suposedly triggers cravings.) And just take it one craving at a time. Don't think about anything else but beating the current craving. If you can make it a week you're over the hump.

 

[Nos4r2]

Re: AAAArgh...Nicotine addiction but not smoking!

I think you're probably right there Kalian. Guess I've got an advantage in that I can't buy nicotine gum from corner shops.

 

[eurolarva]

Re: AAAArgh...Nicotine addiction but not smoking!

I quit smoking and used nicorette for 11 months. I started at 5 pieces a day and went to over 20 when I finally started smoking again. I am on welbutrin now (clone for Zyban) and instead of using nicorette I went to doublemint. It has been a month now with no cigs and no nicorrette. I chew 6 pieces of doublemint gum a day but it is a hell of a lot cheaper then nicorette and cigs. Good luck Nos. See your doctor about the zyban/welbutrin

 

[Kiwi Phil]

Re: AAAArgh...Nicotine addiction but not smoking!

The patches fell off...all the time.....working in heat I get wet (swet).<br />The gum I didn't like much.<br />Now use the lozengers, which are not the most pleasant, but will remove one when I have enough and jam it in my pocket, to use later. Find I need to drink water after them. They do work, and a packet lasts me several weeks. Only use them when I need a smoke. Give them a go.<br />Cheers<br />Phillip

 

[Boomyal]

Re: AAAArgh...Nicotine addiction but not smoking!

Like Philip says, get the 4 mg lozenges but cut them in half with a razor blade. Depending how long and how much you smoked I'd stay on the substitutes for a while until you are well clear of the habit of the act of smoking. <br /><br />Going cold turkey for the nicotene alone is a lot easier when you have to combine it with ridding yourself of all other impulses related to smoking.<br /><br />If you stick with gum, buy the 4 mg gum and razor blade them in half. They will go alot further and you won't get such a high kick when you start to chaw on it.<br /><br />I kept my gum, then lozenges in one of Her Majesty's Altoid tins.

 

[stevens]

Re: AAAArgh...Nicotine addiction but not smoking!

Zyban worked well for me. Had a 20+ a day habit for about 20 years. Quit cold turkey - several times... Finally tried Zyban 3-4 years ago and it made quitting easy. It takes away the craving and after a while you simply forget all about it. Haven't smoked since and haven't missed it once. Feel a lot better for it.

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: AAAArgh...Nicotine addiction but not smoking!

How about regular gum? Your brain is addicted to nicotine far more than your body is .....JK

 

[Nos4r2]

Re: AAAArgh...Nicotine addiction but not smoking!

true-tried it though, I was chewing so much gum I was hungry all the time and put on 2 stone!

 

[jsfinn]

Re: AAAArgh...Nicotine addiction but not smoking!

I used to chew sunflower seeds when I was quitting.<br /><br />Fill one cheek with seeds, move one to the middle of your mouth, crack it with your teeth, eat the kerel, keep the empty shells in your other cheek. Spit 'em out when you've got 'em all moved over. It'll keep you busy all day and disgust your coworkers!

 

[one more cast]

Re: AAAArgh...Nicotine addiction but not smoking!

I am drinking 2 ozs. of Noni juice every morning 1/2 hour before eating to see if it helps my Arthritis and I gave my son in-law a quart to try (he also has joint pain). He said it hasn't helped the pain but it took his cigarette cravings completely away. He is on his second quart. You can buy Noni juice at health food stores for about $40/QT. I bought mine on ebay for $40/case.<br /><br /> Noni Juice Info

 

[18rabbit]

Re: AAAArgh...Nicotine addiction but not smoking!

Congrats on taking responsibility for your health. You have totally 100% kicked the psychological addiction of smoking. If you go cold turkey, the physiological addiction of the nicotine will creep up on you in intensity over a 72-hr period, and then it’s just gone, vaporized. Good news: the physical addition has virtually no effect while you are asleep, so for 24 of those 72hrs you’ll be asleep. If you think you can handle 72-hrs (3 days) of withdrawal, go for it, start in the morning and drink lots of water throughout the days. Also, intense task-loading (i.e. being involved in tasks, preferably multiple tasks, that requires your participation) helps over those 72hrs. Otherwise, I suggest you not compromise the gains you’ve already made. Instead go to your doc and get a script for an antidepressant. Welbutrin, Zoloft, and Prozac have been effective. Takes 3 to 6 wks to get up and running on the anti-d’s, then you quit the gum, and then you slide off of the anti-d’s. You may not have to see the doc, call and tell them what you are doing and they may just call in a script for you.<br /><br />Good luck!<br />

 

[technostingray]

Re: AAAArgh...Nicotine addiction but not smoking!

In short, see your Doctor.

 

[Manipulator]

Re: AAAArgh...Nicotine addiction but not smoking!

I have treated hundreds of patients over the years for nicotine addiction using what is called Auriculotherapy. See if you can find someone in your area that is trained in it. It works awesome and 75% of people quit with one treatment. 80%-90% will quit when using Auriculotherapy. If you want to know more check out my website. Instead of explaining it here all the info is on the site. <br /><br /> http://www.ofallonstopsmoking.com/ <br /><br />Good luck