No matter why you have decided to quit, the road ahead will not be easy. Only 3 percent of those who quit "cold turkey" succeed in remaining cigarette-free. So, if you are considering using one of the many products available to help you kick the habit, be sure to consider all options and choose one that has the most potential to help you succeed.
Nicotine gum—One of the most popular methods of nicotine replacement, nicotine gum can be effective if used properly. It is helpful because, in addition to feeding your nicotine cravings, it also feeds the behavioral habit of smoking by giving your mouth something to do when you are craving a cigarette. However, there is the possibility of becoming addicted to the gum, so users need to be wary of how long they use it.
The flavored gum usually comes in either 2 mg or 4 mg doses of nicotine, but needs to be chewed slowly to effectively deliver the nicotine to the body through the mucosa of the mouth. If nicotine gum is chewed like normal gum, one will end up swallowing most of the nicotine and irritating the digestive system.
Normally, one will chew the gum whenever they have a cigarette craving. The goal is to reduce the number of pieces you use and the amount of time you chew each piece every few days. Eventually, stop using the gum when you are at the point where one or two pieces satisfy your cravings for the day.
