Smoking vs Nicotine

[nucleardream]

Honestly, I love both. I've given up the former though but can't seem to do the same with the latter. In other words, the smoking cessation aid I used to quit smoking is so good, I've basically formed an addiction around it. I can't, nor want, to stop using the 2 mg nicotine lozenge.

How bad is this? Does anyone know the true dangers of nicotine consumption? It is a drug, albeit not as harmful as smoke with all its stuff in it, but does anyone know of documented studies of its long term use? This isn't about smoking, it's about nicotine.

Thanks kindly in advance,

h

[barb1314]

Hi,I can't answer to totally about nicotine but a lady I know has been on the gum for over 5 years and has tried so many times to stop using it.It's costing her a fortune but also it's making her teeth rotten so that may be something to consider.
Well done on the smoking...I'm just over 6 months now but hated the gum and lozenges.I used patches and wine gums!
All in all I'd say it's better to try and stop relying on them.Talk to your chemist maybe? Good luck.

[Lonnie]

I have the same problem, with exactly the same lozenges, about three years now, I go through about eighteen a day.

I reckon to quit, its the same as smoking, got to be willpower.

[ludwig]

I was on the lozenges for about 3 years. There's no getting around it - willpower is required.
You are addicted to the drug, and there's no way to come off it without going through withdrawal pain.

I'm not sure about the long term effects of nicotine only, but it can't be good can it. Good luck quitting.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicotine

[nucleardream]

I started using the lozenge about 15 months ago...was able to stop smoking for a couple months while on the lozenge, got off the lozenge, good for a few weeks, started smoking again, so I got back on the lozenge, with the same process occurring.

Given this cycle, my desire to not smoke and my inadequate willpower to do so, I came to the conclusion that I best not get off the lozenge as I would surely be tempted to start smoking again. Therefore, I have been taking it for about the last 6 months.

Now for another question, given in arbitrary terms though open to debate (more for reinforcement of my nicotine addiction however), is the clinically supported findings of psychoanalytic benefits of nicotine. Inducing attentiveness and moderating anxiety are some of the most commonly cited ones.