Husky, I came on here last Sunday, about 12 days into my quit but still using the gum. I dunno, son, but when I mentioned I was using the gum, I didn't get the reaction you got. I got my fucking ass kicked!
I wasn't really sure why. But then I started reading some of the stuff on here, posts like you just got, and realized, yeah, the gum was just another nicotine crutch, even though it was very sporadic. And based on the physical reactions I got after dropping the gum, 6 days ago, you can fucking bet, it's doing alot more to your brain than you think.
My advice? Bite the fucking bullet. Throw the stuff away and go, cold turkey. I am on like day 17, 18 of no dip, but I use 6 as my quit date, because that's the last time I ever used any nicotine.
It hurts. I'm sick. My head hurts. But I don't want any other stimulants in my body.
Do what you gotta do, but I say go it alone. Some of these other vets can probably do a better job than me explaining it.