KillTheCan.org Accountability Forum
Community => Introductions => Topic started by: stonemi30 on April 29, 2009, 03:07:00 PM
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Hey Everyone,
My name is Mike and I have been chewing for the last seven years. Not that any chewing is a good thing but the last five years have really been my downfall. I would guess it's the same for most chewers out there but when I started chewing it was not much at all and now itÂ’s progressed into a nightmare. Before my quit 2days ago I had a chew 90% of every waking hour.
In the beginning I found myself involved with chewing because of the sport I love. My best friend was a dipper, he had offered me a dip one day, and I agreed to it. Although I hated it and even puked that day, 95% of the team chewed and I wanted to be a part of it. I never have been the type to be caught up by peer pressure but it's the whole reason I got started in this deadly game called chewing.
What started off as just having one simple chew quickly became having one before every game. After that it was a chew after meals, a chew after working out, a chew playing video games, and the list goes on and on and on. One thing that has been so hard for me to understand is how chewing became such a positive/reward for me. I don't know how to explain it but I guess it's like everything was better because I was chewing. Home work seemed less stressful when I had a dip, I had played so well in hockey when I had a dip before games, I thought I looked cool... all kinds of stuff had warped my mind into believing chewing was helping me perform daily tasks better.
In the last 6 years I'm have tried to quite several times but have never made it very long and that really hurts the pride. I have put up my guard, vowed I would quit only to have a chew a couple hours after. The longest I've ever made it was a week and that was the first time I realized I was truly addicted. Back then I was only having a couple dips a day and couldn't quit, now I'm having close to a tin a day and although I realize it's going to be hard it's something that needs to be done. Another large problem is my friends are they type of chewers that when someone quits they try to wreck it for them and make quitting so hard. Plain and simple though I'm sick of giving into the addiction, I'm sick of feeling like I failed when I can't quit, and IÂ’m sick of letting my dumb friends peer pressure me back into chewing. I needed a new attitude and with the recent death of a relative/finding this website I think I found one.
Now don't get me wrong I'm quitting for myself but my uncle was a heavy smoker/drinker and something in my mind just hasn't been right since he passed. I never really had anyone close to me pass away because of the lifestyle they lived. My uncle was a great guy but chewed/smoke/and drank way too muchÂ… Eventually was diagnosed with cancer, battled it for a year and died. I never could see myself in that position but for the last three months it's been heavily on my mind and well I think itÂ’s a good thing. If I keep this dumb addiction up I could be the one who leaves life early and for what a loss of money, a rotted mouth full of cancer, and a perminant dirt nap..... Yeah I guess it just doesn't seem worth it anymore.
In order to get to 100days, I'm going to have to take it one day at a time, one battle at a time, but I know I can make it with this team's support (killthecan.org) IÂ’m going to work as hard as I can to do my best and when tough times pop up I'll be ready to fight my way through it so I can finally do the right thing and kick this bad habit!
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Welcome Mike
I chewed for about 40 years I am on day 29 of my quit I was where you are a short 3weeks ago. This is the place to quit bar none. Beat your way through the first week it will be the toughest thing you will do. The cravings will be bad but pull through these guys will help you out . I am in the July Group But will also be posting support in your August group.
Go Mike you can do it!
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Mike congratulations on the best decision of your life. If you stay here and post One day at a time and stay active you WILL quit. One word of advice though, you may want to examine who your friends really are. Real friends will not try to make you chew and rub it in your face. But it may be that they are insecure in that they don't think they have what it takes to quit. If that is the case get them to come join you in the quit. There's plenty of room in here!!! Either way I advise you work to something out with them or make yourself scarce around them for the next 30 days or so. Good Luck and stay determined!!!
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Sorry to hear about your uncle... CopeFiend and I lost both our parents to cancer, and we lost 3 of our Grandparents to cancer.
You might say the writing is on the wall for our family. You have every reason in the world to quit for yourself, and with the unfortunate passing of your uncle NOW you have the motivation to make it stick.
Plenty of guys around this site will line up to help you with your quit. Read everything on this site that you can find... read what other guys have been thru.
The best thing about this site is that you are surrounded by guys that have been right where you are now. Each and everyone one of us has survived a Day 1 of our own... and had the help to reach where we are now.
Good luck on this most important venture... if you ever need anything, give any one of us a call or e-mail.
August Quit Group is a great team. Go now and post roll with them, and get to know them. See you there!!!
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Welcome Mike,
Its great to have you on board and ready to take on your quit. I'm going to disect your first post and hopefully add some insight and/or advice. I'm only at day 20, not far from where you are at now, but I am fully commited to quitting and helping anybody I can.
Before my quit 2days ago I had a chew 90% of every waking hour.
I used to be just like this, chewing for 17 years. The only time I spit it out was for eating, sleeping, or sex. Fucking pathetic
95% of the team chewed and I wanted to be a part of it.
I, too, wanted to be a part of the fire crew that I was working with. Chewing was the cool thing to do.
it's the whole reason I got started in this deadly game.
Fucking peer pressure. When minds are young and impressionable, as was mine, I thought it was cool and never thought of the consequences of the DEADLY GAME.
how chewing became such a positive/reward for me?
all kinds of stuff had warped my mind into believing chewing was helping me.
It is an addiction, like cocaine, heroin, meth - YEP - It fucks with your mind.
vowed I would quit only to have a chew a couple hours after.
Been there brother! I tell people have "stopped" many times and yet to "quit" - UNTIL I CAME TO THIS WEBSITE. This is the longest I have ever gone without the nic bitch. And I'm damn proud of it!
I realized I was truly addicted.
Knowing this is part of the quit process - never forget we ARE addicts.
I realize it's going to be hard it's something that needs to be done.
Its damn hard, but can be done. Look at all of the vets on this site!!! Listen to them and read what they have to say.
they try to wreck it for them and make quitting so hard.
Time to man up and be the person you want to be. As for your so-called friends - tell them to stuff that cancer in their mouth and while they are at it, go suck a bit fat donkey dick.
Plain and simple though I'm sick of giving into the addiction,
You're ready! Let the adventure begin! Post roll call, give your word and never put that shit in your mouth again!
If I keep this dumb addiction up I could be the one who leaves life early
There isn't any IF's, you will die from this shit.
In order to get to 100days, I'm going to have to take it one day at a time, one battle at a time, but I know I can make it with this team's support (killthecan.org) IÂ’m going to work as hard as I can to do my best and when tough times pop up I'll be ready to fight my way through it so I can finally do the right thing and kick this bad habit!
One day at a time brother! Stay close to this site, post often, and ask for help. That why we are here. To quit, and help each other stay quit. PM any of us for help at any time. Get some phone numbers from other quitters. Post roll every day and give your word. NEVER DIP AGAIN.
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Good thing you're quit, Mike. If you don't, you're going to end up just like your uncle. (Except you will die younger than he did.)
Lots of people here will let you lean on them. Including me.
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One thing that has been so hard for me to understand is how chewing became such a positive/reward for me. I don't know how to explain it but I guess it's like everything was better because I was chewing.
Welcome Mike. Glad to hear you've made this life changing (for the better) decision. I'm really early on in my quit (12 days) but this site has proven to be an awesome support network. Everyone in the same boat and doing a great job of helping each other out.
Your words about chewing being a positive/reward really struck a nerve with me. That's the #1 thing I'm struggling with so far during my quit. I used chew as my little thing to look forward to each day and now that it's gone, I've been a little "lost" each day. The good news is that everyday it has gotten better and I'm realizing I don't need that dip to look forward to.
Best of luck!
Darin (WebD)
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Welcome Mike
It sounds like you got the right attitude to fight this addiction. As Kdip said, "congratulations on the best decision of your life"
If you don't believe this, start spending as much time as possible reading everything on this website. I would suggest reading all the stories posted in this link: http://www.killthecan.org/facts/cancerfacts.asp (http://www.killthecan.org/facts/cancerfacts.asp)
You got a tough battle ahead with most of your crew still chewing. Turn that into an extra motivating factor instead of an extra hurdle. Just think, you get cancer and chances are very good your hockey days are over, that is if you're still alive.
See you in roll call everyday. Let someone know if you need help.
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Welcome Mike.
You can do this.
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Hey Everyone it's great having everyone show their support and lend a helping hand to my fight with chewing. Although my girlfriend is a huge supporter of me she doesn't understand what I'm going through like the others on this website. It just been nice to see that people who understand what I'm going through believe I can do this and are willing to help. Thanks again everybody for welcoming me to the group I hope I can repay someone by helping them like you have all been so kind to do with me.
About to start day three and I'm ready for the challenges a new day will bring! THANKS EVERYONE!
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i'm right there with ya Mike. About to start day 3 and takin each day as it comes.
I'm Chris and I'm cheerin for ya buddy. We can do this man!
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Hey Everyone it's great having everyone show their support and lend a helping hand to my fight with chewing. Although my girlfriend is a huge supporter of me she doesn't understand what I'm going through like the others on this website. It just been nice to see that people who understand what I'm going through believe I can do this and are willing to help. Thanks again everybody for welcoming me to the group I hope I can repay someone by helping them like you have all been so kind to do with me.
About to start day three and I'm ready for the challenges a new day will bring! THANKS EVERYONE!
Stonemi30,
great decision man!!! Yep you won't find anyone other than a fellow addict that can fully understand what you are going through. Keep the enthusiasm that you feel for your quit now on day 10, 20, 30 etc. It is easy to forget why you quit and how much you have struggled in these early days. Welcome aboard Brother!!!
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I have an issue that I'm looking for some help with and I'm willing to listen to any advise people may have. I just made it through my first weekend and god it was tough. I was out with a bunch of friends who all chew and well when I'm drinking it seems like I crave that much more. Now i'm sure it's normal that weekends are harder on a lot of people but my first question is how many weekends did it take some of you quitters before it started getting easier? This question kind of leads into my next question but I'm just worried that if it doesn't get easier a trip I'm going to be going on is really going to be hard.
The big question I have though is about a canada fishing trip I'm going on June 4th for a 6days. I'm going with 6 friends and only one of those 6 doesn't chew. I'm really concerned that being around constant chewing for 4 to 5 days will beat me down and get the best of me if I don't do something. Any advise on what might help or if someone has maybe been in a similar situation and can tell me ways they coped with it would be greatly appreciated.
I hope i hear from lots of you soon thanks for being so supportive and as for today have a great chew free day!
Stonemi30
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I have an issue that I'm looking for some help with and I'm willing to listen to any advise people may have. I just made it through my first weekend and god it was tough. I was out with a bunch of friends who all chew and well when I'm drinking it seems like I crave that much more. Now i'm sure it's normal that weekends are harder on a lot of people but my first question is how many weekends did it take some of you quitters before it started getting easier? This question kind of leads into my next question but I'm just worried that if it doesn't get easier a trip I'm going to be going on is really going to be hard.
The big question I have though is about a canada fishing trip I'm going on June 4th for a 6days. I'm going with 6 friends and only one of those 6 doesn't chew. I'm really concerned that being around constant chewing for 4 to 5 days will beat me down and get the best of me if I don't do something. Any advise on what might help or if someone has maybe been in a similar situation and can tell me ways they coped with it would be greatly appreciated.
I hope i hear from lots of you soon thanks for being so supportive and as for today have a great chew free day!
Stonemi30
I would get some fake chew. It is not the same but has helped me through some tuff times.
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I have an issue that I'm looking for some help with and I'm willing to listen to any advise people may have. I just made it through my first weekend and god it was tough. I was out with a bunch of friends who all chew and well when I'm drinking it seems like I crave that much more. Now i'm sure it's normal that weekends are harder on a lot of people but my first question is how many weekends did it take some of you quitters before it started getting easier? This question kind of leads into my next question but I'm just worried that if it doesn't get easier a trip I'm going to be going on is really going to be hard.
The big question I have though is about a canada fishing trip I'm going on June 4th for a 6days. I'm going with 6 friends and only one of those 6 doesn't chew. I'm really concerned that being around constant chewing for 4 to 5 days will beat me down and get the best of me if I don't do something. Any advise on what might help or if someone has maybe been in a similar situation and can tell me ways they coped with it would be greatly appreciated.
I hope i hear from lots of you soon thanks for being so supportive and as for today have a great chew free day!
Stonemi30
Heres my advice,
Be careful with the drinking, its dangerous. I had a 6 month quit ruined by 1 cig when I was drunk about 5 years ago.
Get numbers, I was shit canned at a wedding just the other day and everyone smoking made the worse crave Ive had yet hit. I called and texted a few people and they talked me through it.
If they are true friends of yours they wont let you bum a dip. And again, get numbers so you can post roll while you are on vacation.
Hang in there, it does get easier and you can do it, I have 33 times now.
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I have an issue that I'm looking for some help with and I'm willing to listen to any advise people may have. I just made it through my first weekend and god it was tough. I was out with a bunch of friends who all chew and well when I'm drinking it seems like I crave that much more. Now i'm sure it's normal that weekends are harder on a lot of people but my first question is how many weekends did it take some of you quitters before it started getting easier? This question kind of leads into my next question but I'm just worried that if it doesn't get easier a trip I'm going to be going on is really going to be hard.
The big question I have though is about a canada fishing trip I'm going on June 4th for a 6days. I'm going with 6 friends and only one of those 6 doesn't chew. I'm really concerned that being around constant chewing for 4 to 5 days will beat me down and get the best of me if I don't do something. Any advise on what might help or if someone has maybe been in a similar situation and can tell me ways they coped with it would be greatly appreciated.
I hope i hear from lots of you soon thanks for being so supportive and as for today have a great chew free day!
Stonemi30
By then you should be able to stand strong. If they are friends they will understand you are quitting and be cool about it around you. Take some fake stuff and join in with them. I think you will do fine. If you are committed you will pull through.
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I have an issue that I'm looking for some help with and I'm willing to listen to any advise people may have. I just made it through my first weekend and god it was tough. I was out with a bunch of friends who all chew and well when I'm drinking it seems like I crave that much more. Now i'm sure it's normal that weekends are harder on a lot of people but my first question is how many weekends did it take some of you quitters before it started getting easier? This question kind of leads into my next question but I'm just worried that if it doesn't get easier a trip I'm going to be going on is really going to be hard.
The big question I have though is about a canada fishing trip I'm going on June 4th for a 6days. I'm going with 6 friends and only one of those 6 doesn't chew. I'm really concerned that being around constant chewing for 4 to 5 days will beat me down and get the best of me if I don't do something. Any advise on what might help or if someone has maybe been in a similar situation and can tell me ways they coped with it would be greatly appreciated.
I hope i hear from lots of you soon thanks for being so supportive and as for today have a great chew free day!
Stonemi30
Stone, I was lucky, cause my hanging out days are long since gone. I often reflect if I could have made it if I was still in my mid-20's softball, drinking, fishing, hanging out days.
So I am no longer in your boat. We all have triggers and caves, but for me, I am not constantly around it.
I will say this though. This is what often lead me back to dip everytime I quit and saw someone else doing it. Don't for a minute say, "if they can do it, fuck it, why can't i?". Get that shit out of your head. You have better reasons to not be doing it. So completely remove that thought out of your head.
Second thing, on your trip, and when you go out, try using the fake shit. I usually don't recommend it, cause again, for me, the fake shit was never as good as the real shit, so it always lead me back. But you may just need it. Lots of guys on here use it. I dont.
Third thing to consider. New friends. I'm only half serious, but you know brother, at some point ur going to have to figure out if hanging out with these dip fiends is worth it. they would say the same thing to an alcoholic or a compulsive gambler. not saying give them up and become a priest, but just think about these dudes.
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I have an issue that I'm looking for some help with and I'm willing to listen to any advise people may have. I just made it through my first weekend and god it was tough. I was out with a bunch of friends who all chew and well when I'm drinking it seems like I crave that much more. Now i'm sure it's normal that weekends are harder on a lot of people but my first question is how many weekends did it take some of you quitters before it started getting easier? This question kind of leads into my next question but I'm just worried that if it doesn't get easier a trip I'm going to be going on is really going to be hard.
The big question I have though is about a canada fishing trip I'm going on June 4th for a 6days. I'm going with 6 friends and only one of those 6 doesn't chew. I'm really concerned that being around constant chewing for 4 to 5 days will beat me down and get the best of me if I don't do something. Any advise on what might help or if someone has maybe been in a similar situation and can tell me ways they coped with it would be greatly appreciated.Â
I hope i hear from lots of you soon thanks for being so supportive and as for today have a great chew free day!
Stonemi30
I bet you're asking yourself "can I make it through this trip without chewing?". Well... that's the wrong question; the time to start reprogramming your thinking is NOW. Every time you catch yourself thinking "can I make it?" change it to "of course I can make it... now how am I going to manage cravings and relearn how to enjoy this without nicotine?" You need to commit 100% to being quit, and then focus on how to manage the cravings and other crap that goes along with quitting. The only way to make all of this unpleasantness truly go away is to STAY QUIT.
Use this trip as an opportunity to relearn how to enjoy an activity without nicotine. Watch as your mind tries to play tricks on you, and learn how to defeat them.
Take some fake shit with you. You've spent seven years developing the "I-feel-good-when-I-put-a-pinch-in-my-lip" trigger, so you might as well use it to battle the craves. Without the nicotine to reinforce it, the "happy effect" produced by fake chew will eventually fade and you'll lose interest. But for now use it for all it's worth.
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I have an issue that I'm looking for some help with and I'm willing to listen to any advise people may have. I just made it through my first weekend and god it was tough. I was out with a bunch of friends who all chew and well when I'm drinking it seems like I crave that much more. Now i'm sure it's normal that weekends are harder on a lot of people but my first question is how many weekends did it take some of you quitters before it started getting easier? This question kind of leads into my next question but I'm just worried that if it doesn't get easier a trip I'm going to be going on is really going to be hard.
The big question I have though is about a canada fishing trip I'm going on June 4th for a 6days. I'm going with 6 friends and only one of those 6 doesn't chew. I'm really concerned that being around constant chewing for 4 to 5 days will beat me down and get the best of me if I don't do something. Any advise on what might help or if someone has maybe been in a similar situation and can tell me ways they coped with it would be greatly appreciated.
I hope i hear from lots of you soon thanks for being so supportive and as for today have a great chew free day!
Stonemi30
You will be surprised how much better you will feel by then. If your friends are friends, then they will appreciate that what you are doing is no joke.
Having a plan for times like that is critical. Don't dwell on the future, though. Take each of these events as they come. Sounds lame but it works and you will amaze yourself. Each weekend is easier because you will have done more and more of these things without chew - first traffic jam, first round of golf....
Seeds, dum dums, gum, atomic fireballs. Don't get sloppy drunk. All good. You will be laughing with your friends. Your vacation will be fun. And the next fishing trip will be that much easier.
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I have an issue that I'm looking for some help with and I'm willing to listen to any advise people may have. I just made it through my first weekend and god it was tough. I was out with a bunch of friends who all chew and well when I'm drinking it seems like I crave that much more. Now i'm sure it's normal that weekends are harder on a lot of people but my first question is how many weekends did it take some of you quitters before it started getting easier? This question kind of leads into my next question but I'm just worried that if it doesn't get easier a trip I'm going to be going on is really going to be hard.
The big question I have though is about a canada fishing trip I'm going on June 4th for a 6days. I'm going with 6 friends and only one of those 6 doesn't chew. I'm really concerned that being around constant chewing for 4 to 5 days will beat me down and get the best of me if I don't do something. Any advise on what might help or if someone has maybe been in a similar situation and can tell me ways they coped with it would be greatly appreciated.
I hope i hear from lots of you soon thanks for being so supportive and as for today have a great chew free day!
Stonemi30
Don't focus on the idea that they may influence you to chew, rather think of yourself influencing them to quit. I think deep down, every dipper knows they need to quit but just doesn't think they are strong enough. If these are good friends of yours, they will see how strong you are and that may help them understand that they too can kick the nic bitch out of their lives. Maybe not this week, maybe not this month, but you never know. You could actually be saving one of your friends lives by showing them you have really quit for good this time.
Oh, and I would recommend Hooch Spitfire. It may not give you that Nic rush, but it does provide a nice little burning sensation on your lip. :P
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Thanks for the advice everyone I really appreciate it. I'm going on this fishing trip and more importantly I'm doing it chew free. I liked the idea about talking to my friends and letting them know chewing is not an option for me on this trip. They have been real supportive and I know when i say something they will be there to help me out. I'm feeling better now and I'm not sure if it's just timing or what but the cravings are not nearly as strong or as frequent so I know I can make it through this trip when the time comes. I also have been fishing quite a bit in the last couple weeks just to get in that mode of doing it without a dip and well it's been successful so I don't see why I wouldn't be able to do it in June. Again away from my stories I just wanted to thank all of you for being there for a guy in need of some advice. Take care and every one have a great chew free weekend..... I know I am! Graduation time thank god!
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Thanks for the advice everyone I really appreciate it. I'm going on this fishing trip and more importantly I'm doing it chew free. I liked the idea about talking to my friends and letting them know chewing is not an option for me on this trip. They have been real supportive and I know when i say something they will be there to help me out. I'm feeling better now and I'm not sure if it's just timing or what but the cravings are not nearly as strong or as frequent so I know I can make it through this trip when the time comes. I also have been fishing quite a bit in the last couple weeks just to get in that mode of doing it without a dip and well it's been successful so I don't see why I wouldn't be able to do it in June. Again away from my stories I just wanted to thank all of you for being there for a guy in need of some advice. Take care and every one have a great chew free weekend..... I know I am! Graduation time thank god!
stonemi30- day 47- almost two weeks of fishing in canada and not one chew. This habbit can be beat guys/girls. No chew for this guy!
'Cheers'
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Where is this dude? Was this a month long fishing trip?
Take me with you stoner
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When I see dudes dipping,,, In order to protect my quit, I say to myself. "Fuck them, let the "cancer dart" land on them... Let the doctors chop them up like... Cuz I'm not the one, to be in a closed casket... So by having suckers dip around you,,, law of averages is in your favor...
Think of dip as a triple barbed fishook in your mouth.... If you sucked on a fishhook, the docks will patch u up in 20 min,,, dip the cancer docks will pick flesh from bone