What Is the Success Rate for Nicorette Gum?
If you're a smoker who wants or has tried to quit smoking, you're more than familiar with the myriad of cessation programs out there. Some claim to be the best at getting you to quit for good, and others seem to keep a lower profile, though still claim to work. One of the products that seems to have been around the longest is that of Nicorette Gum.
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Function
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Basically, the use of Nicorette Gum, or any other nicotine replacement product, will see between a 50 and 70 percent increase in the chances of success. This is over that of quitting smoking without the use of any nicotine replacement therapy at all. Of course, these numbers seem rather high when you look at the actual statistics in this fashion. Normally, there is only a 5 percent success rate of smokers quitting their habit for a full year (without the use of replacement products), which makes the success rate of Nicorette Gum between 7 and 8 percent. Not the best odds.
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Of the top five "quit smoking methods," not a single nicotine replacement gum made the list, including Nicorette Gum. The best and most successful option is that of the patch, followed by support groups, laser therapy and mindset. The most recent study has shown that of the smokers who use the patch, a quarter of them will be successful in quitting; that's 25 percent--a much larger success rate than that of the gum. See Resources below for success rate studies.
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Considerations
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Some researchers even claim that a combination of two cessation programs can actually work better than one, like using Varenicline with the gum or the patch or Zyban with the same nicotine replacement products. Of course, you should consult a physician before starting any nicotine replacement therapy.
Significance
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When you do decide to quit smoking, even if you opt for the gum, there are a few things you can put into place that have shown to increase your chances. Always pick a date, and mark that date on your calendar. We are creatures of habit, even when we're not smokers, so having a definitive date to start is truly the best; otherwise we'll just keep putting it off until tomorrow. Tell everyone (maybe not the lady down the street) that you're quitting. Support is always beneficial; even if those who help us have no idea what we're going through at the time. Pick up a healthy snack (carrot sticks work the best) to keep your mouth and hands busy. And join a support group. They can be difficult to find sometimes, but they're out there.
Warning
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One of the not necessarily major drawbacks to nicotine gum, but still a potential problem, is replacing one addiction for another. There are a number of people who are no longer addicted to cigarettes but are now addicted to the gum. Prolonged use of the gum could constrict the blood vessels of the mouth and result in gum disease, though some studies refute these findings.
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