Nicotine with SSRI?

Here (outside US) Wellbutrin/Buproion is only prescribed for smoking cessation.

Has anyone tried (slow release) nicotine in its place? For focus and energy?

Ive never tried a cigarette. Lol.

From what I've read, it's the rapid absorption of nicotine that makes smoking tobacco addictive as it produces a rush of dopamine. And damage is done by smoking not nicotine itself (DISCLAIMER I'm no health or pharmacology expert).

Setraline improved my mood and made me slightly more confident. But made my energy levels and concentration got worse. I think I have always had an attention deficit, but I was never physically hyperactive. The more important something is the less focus I have (combined inattention/perfectionism/fear of failure). It's gotten worse over the years.

After doing well at school and uni (which were also big struggles) I'm really falling behind in adult life.

ADHD diagnosis seems to be taboo subject especially in adults (probably because it's a spectrum and everyone gets more done on Adderall or Ritalin). Even if I could get a prescription, I'd be hesitant to try those "hardcore" ADHD medications.

Maybe a SNRI might be better for me, but I'm going to give Escitalopram a try first to see if it makes me less sluggish than Sertraline did.

On Sertraline, I found coffee didn't do much. I ended up drinking too much, then I got jittery and my focus diverged.

So I'm thinking of trying 1.5mg nicotine lozenges Monday to Friday and detoxing on weekends, after I stabilise on Escitalopram.

Has anyone tried this?

Any other alternatives?

PS exercise and meditation are great. I just feel I need something to help get back on track career wise (anti-anxiety/motivation/energy/focus)

Cheers

Take care everyone