I'm almost out of the gum and I have no real desire to call my state's quit line and order more. I think that's the way it's supposed to go right? My body is over the chemical now, I think, anyway. 17 days now.
The chemical/physical addiction doesn't last very long, it's the behavioral addiction that lingers the longest. You've got this!
Makes sense because I've found the times I crave a smoke are the mornings, afternoon after dinner, and then at night, my normal times I did smoke. When I'm busy during the day I don't think about it.
Cigarette smoking also involves taking MAOIs alongside the nicotine which makes the high more intense, coupled with mild hypoxia and random inhalent effects and you get a pretty messy high.
Nicotine alone is less pleasurable, especially when not being delivered via the lungs (action -> reward delay has huge impact on addiction). Your body still likely has some dependence, and cessation of nicotine will induce withdrawal although more mild as buccal absorption has a lower peak and ks not coadministered with other shit. What has probably started to happen is breaking of the behavioural component of addiction.
That behavioural component can linger surprisingly long. I stopped smoking years back now but still experience cravings sometimes. I did smoke through my teens heavily though so it was very formative.
You're not out of the woods but you've done all the hardest parts :) just be prepared for some irritability and keep in mind all the reasons you're quitting. Stop gum if you feel ready, but take the next week a bit gentle on yourself if you can. Small difficulties might seem larger and you'll probably feeling snackish.
