Fact: I used to have an addiction problem.
No, I was not addicted to drugs, alcohol, gambling, video games or any other typical vice that you can think of. I was addicted to chewing gum.
History of My Addiction
A lot of you are probably thinking, “I have the same problem!” or “I chew a lot of gum too!” but I’ve yet to meet someone who chews as much gum as I once did.
Some might argue that using the word “addiction” in this context is going a little too far; I beg to differ.
I used to NEED gum. I would chew so much gum that even when my jaw started to hurt, I kept chewing. I chewed in the morning, I chewed at night, I chewed when I was bored, stressed and nervous. I needed gum more than coffee; I was a chain chewer for about 7 whole years.
How it Started
Like most habits, chewing gum progressed slowly. I started to chew one or two pieces after a meal, then gradually began chewing more often. Before I knew it, a few pieces of gum turned into 10, 20 or 30 per day! I was popping piece after piece; my purse, car and desk were constantly FULL of gum wrappers.
I always carried at least 2 packs of gum with me at all times, and made it a point to stop and buy some if I was running low.
I often went through 1-2 packs per day, maybe more. I would chew a piece for 5 minutes, spit it out and chew another. No matter what I did, I could convince myself that chewing just one piece of gum was enough.
Why Did I Chew Gum?
Aside from the minty, fresh and clean feeling that chewing gum gave me, it also helped me focus and relieve stress. It calmed me down while sitting in traffic, studying for a test or before a big game.
I needed it to concentrate, to ease my nerves, to make me feel better, even though it actually used to make me feel worse!
After a while I didn’t even like the taste anymore. Sure I liked the initial burst of minty sweetness, but what I really craved was the chewing motion. Afer a while the chain chewing did not feel good anymore, it felt necessary.
Why I Quit
As far as vices go, there are clearly much worse things than chewing gum. I remember trying to brush off this horrible habit by comparing myself to someone addicted to smoking or drinking; now that’s a BAD addiction.
Although my habit was not as disastrous as a drug addiction, I never felt particularly good about chewing an insane amount of gum.
Every time I began to chomp away with my aching jaw and gurgling stomach, part of me would shake my head in disbelief and say “Really? This cannot be GOOD for me.”
I definitely believe that my jaw/facial pain (possible TMJ which I am treating with acupuncture) has to at least somewhat do with my gum chewing history.
Along with the jaw discomfort, I was also experiencing horrible stomach pains and bloating which was eventually diagnosed as IBS.
I do believe that I have IBS (even since I quit gum, some IBS symptoms are still present) but I am sure that chewing gum did not help the situation.
As if the jaw discomfort and digestive issues that chewing gum brought upon me weren’t enough to trigger me to quit, there was another huge reason that led me to my decision.
Sugar free gum is predominately made up of artificial sweeteners such as Aspartame, Sorbitol and Saccharin. In other words, pure chemicals.
Although the topic of artificial sweeteners is controversial when it comes to health effects, there are several studies that have proven that ingesting these synthetic ingredients can lead to seizures, headaches, heart palpitations and even cancer.
Of course the jaw pain, digestive issues and the chemical makeup of gum were factors in me finally shaking this bad habit, but they were not the sole reasons.
Ultimately I quit chewing gum, because I was finally ready to quit.
I decided that I’m done being a slave to this gross, toxic and unattractive oral fixation. Chewing gum literally has no nourishment. Masticating purely to keep my mind off things has got to be the one of the most ridiculous habits that I have ever picked up.
How I Quit
At first I started off by carrying only a few pieces of gum with me, and not buying anymore when I ran out. I tried to only chew it after meals and when I really felt the urge.
Eventually, I stopped buying gum completely, and simply resisted the temptation although it was, and sometimes is still is there.
I’ve learned to deal with this sensation by drinking a glass of water, brushing my teeth or munching on some fruit. On rare instances, I will pop one breath mint, but try to only do that on rare occasions.
I always knew that chewing large amounts of gum was potentially harming my health. I tried to stop several times, but failed miserably because I did not have self-control. Deep down I still wanted to chew gum, (lots of it) and I did not want to stop.
Although I’ve been gum-free for only a little over a month, I am not turning back now (or ever).
Sorry friends, if you’re looking for some Orbit, Five or Doublemint to clear your breath or curb your cravings, you’re going to have to look somewhere else.
This girl has given up gum for good!
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Do you do chew gum?
Have you ever had an addiction or bad habit? How did you get rid of it?
Thank you for visiting my site! My name is Stellina and I am the blogger behind My Yogurt Addiction. My blog follows my never ending yogurt addiction and quest to live a healthy lifestyle while still indulging in (only healthy) addictions! Feel free to contact me at StellinaSaia@gmail.com 
omg lol i chew a lot of gum but not that much!!, i go through 1-2 packs a week. Guess my “addiction” isn’t an “addiction”. I chew it so I don’t result to my nervous habit – chewing on the inside of my cheek. Th gum chewing plus the clenching of my jaw at night resulted in my getting TMJ. But I’ve just learned to deal with my stress better now
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I definitely chew a decent amount of gum. I probably go through a pack in about 2-3 days. My problem is that I cannot chew just one piece at a time. I always chew 2 at a time because 1 just does not seem like enough. I have cut back as compared to what I used to chew, but I do find that it helps my acid reflux so I do not see myself stopping anytime soon.
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I couldn’t have stumbled upon your blog on a better day! I’ve been trying to stop chewing so much gum for all of the reasons you have listed above. I too have IBS and I know for a fact that chewing gum only makes the symptoms worse, yet I do it anyway. I mostly do it out of boredom, but it’s also an oral fixation. I wish I could quit cold turkey, but it’s so hard! Good for you
I literally had/have this same exact problem. The amount of money i spent on gum is ridiculous, let alone the amount of time i spent chewing it.
I would pop a piece upon waking, and chew chew chew aaaalll day, only stopping to eat, and then continuing to chew until bedtime, which i often would have a piece in my mouth right up until i fell alseep lol.
It’s true tho, i chewed out of boredom.
I just gave up gum myself, and am going on week 2 of zero gum chewing. It’s definitley somethiing to get used to but worth it in the end. Orignally it was for Lent, but I plan on making it a life change.
Glad I’m not alone! I’ve tried giving it up for lent, as a new years resolution and so many other reasons but this time I am sticking to it!
I have this same problem!! I do not have it as bad as you did but I am still trying to stop! I first started it when I was dieting and now I just do it out of habit. I am going to start to slowly and just take my time. Good job for your success so far!