nicotine gum?

DH quit smoking about 5 years ago but over the last year and a half, he's been struggling to stay off them. It started with a few when out with course mates, then he'd go 6 months clear. Now it's more frequent and he's going about 2 months apart (still only having a few when out or with smoking friends). He is committed to staying off them long term but we're under huge amounts of stress now so we both know he's gonna continue this pattern. He has yet to buy his own pack except once when he was travelling alone. Heck, he knows we can't afford for him to smoke regularly! 

He can live with this pattern of off and on for a while if need be. But it's the withdrawal that is really bad and making him a total a$$ to live with. It doesn't matter if he has one or 20. He still has the same withdrawal symptoms: headaches, weird feelings in his upper arms, shakiness, and grumpiness as a result. And it will last over a week.

So, he's thinking about nicotine gum to help him both try to prevent the smoking in the first place and to help with the withdrawal if he does fall off the wagon. But he's never tried it and not sure what to expect. Anyone got any advice?

I was a heavy smoker and tried nicotine gum. Although it helped somewhat as far as providing the addictive nicotine, a lot of smoking is psychological, and it gives you something to do with your hands. The gum didn't work for me.

I would recommend that he have his GP prescribe him Zyban. Within days, he won't be able to stand the taste of cigarettes, and every time he tries to smoke one, will put it out immediately. At least that was my experience. I have to admit that I slipped from never smoking at all to just smoking if I have a drink, but even then, I don't smoke the whole cig, and I never even think of them otherwise. Have him try Zyban. I guarantee it.

I wouldn't recommend nicotine gum. It seems like it's more useful to smokers who have no desire to quit but need to go long periods of time without a cigarette, like on a flight.

I was also in your husband's position. I quit smoking for a good stretch, but fell back into it due to stress (it's so hard to quit when you're a student) and lack of motivation.

I had better luck with nicotine patches, personally. They helped reduce cravings, and the risk of heart attack from using the patch while smoking was a pretty good psychological motivator! 

I've also heard very good things about Zyban, although I've never tried it. Several people I work with were able to keep their New Years resolutions because of it.

The people I know who tried the nicotine gum chewed it while smoking.   

I did the same thing. That's why I recommend Zyban. The patch is no better.

My hubby will agree with Suzanne.  The patch is the best (at least, for him).  He quit smoking over 6 months ago using the patch.  He started by using the gum, and it didn't work for him, not to mention the fact he said it tasted awful!

The people I know who tried the nicotine gum chewed it while smoking.   

I did.

I also smoked on the patch.

The only thing that cured me was all-day, horrid vomitting and nausea from about the moment Aillidh was conceived.

Andrew has an extremly physical addiction and all of his psychological triggers have been removed, as he has to get both girls ready and go down two flights of stairs and outside to have a cigarette.

But he, too, smoked on the patch.