KillTheCan.org Accountability Forum
Community => Introductions => Topic started by: TheMissingPeace on April 15, 2011, 04:25:00 PM
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Been dippin' for 30 years. 2 days ago I "tried to quit." That lasted about a day. This morning I Posted Roll Call and "I Am Quit." It's 3 PM and I Have Not Dipped Today. I Am Not Going To Dip Today Because I Am Quit. I posted roll call and I am quit. Tomorrow morning I will Post Roll Call again. It makes all the difference...
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Been dippin' for 30 years. 2 days ago I "tried to quit." That lasted about a day. This morning I Posted Roll Call and "I Am Quit." It's 3 PM and I Have Not Dipped Today. I Am Not Going To Dip Today Because I Am Quit. I posted roll call and I am quit. Tomorrow morning I will Post Roll Call again. It makes all the difference...
Go get 'em tiger....welcome to the family.
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Been dippin' for 30 years. 2 days ago I "tried to quit." That lasted about a day. This morning I Posted Roll Call and "I Am Quit." It's 3 PM and I Have Not Dipped Today. I Am Not Going To Dip Today Because I Am Quit. I posted roll call and I am quit. Tomorrow morning I will Post Roll Call again. It makes all the difference...
MP - yeah we heard about you and your lengthy discussion with Chewie - He really thought you were going to post yesterday - but we are glad to have you - this is tough stuff - first 3 days are brutal - I am on day 5 today - it does get better - we can do this - don't let you or your July brothers down - If you need help over the weekend PM me - and I'll give my number - Corn
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Thank you! I owe Chewie so much. He told me to post roll but I didn't and I caved. So this morning I did what he told me to do-I Posted Roll Call and here I am after 3:30 and I am still quit. I will stay quit today. That's why I am here right now.
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Thank you! I owe Chewie so much. He told me to post roll but I didn't and I caved. So this morning I did what he told me to do-I Posted Roll Call and here I am after 3:30 and I am still quit. I will stay quit today. That's why I am here right now.
MP - Tell him how much you appreciate his help - and then get real serious about your quit - your success today is going to help us all - you can do this - go to chat room regularly and talk to everybody about what you're going through - doing this together really makes a huge difference - and the accountability is the backbone of the process - don't let me down bro.
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Been dippin' for 30 years. 2 days ago I "tried to quit." That lasted about a day. This morning I Posted Roll Call and "I Am Quit." It's 3 PM and I Have Not Dipped Today. I Am Not Going To Dip Today Because I Am Quit. I posted roll call and I am quit. Tomorrow morning I will Post Roll Call again. It makes all the difference...
Yep. If your word of honor means anything, this site will make all the difference in the world.
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Today I Posted Roll Call. Today I Am Quit. I came home early from work to get on this site to work my quit. I will be on here until I go eat dinner at my girlfriend's. When I come back I will immediately log on to this site. I'll do whatever it takes to stay quit today. Ready-You are the genesis of my being here. I read a piece by Skoal Monster that you had posted. I then contacted this site and Chewie contacted me. Chewie, you made all the difference. THANK YOU for taking the time to talk with me when I needed it the most. I am here thanks to you. I Posted Roll CAll thanks to you. I AM Quit Today thanks to you. You guys are aweswome and I know that without this site (and Chewie) I would not be quit today. Thank You!
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Today I Posted Roll Call. Today I Am Quit. I came home early from work to get on this site to work my quit. I will be on here until I go eat dinner at my girlfriend's. When I come back I will immediately log on to this site. I'll do whatever it takes to stay quit today. Ready-You are the genesis of my being here. I read a piece by Skoal Monster that you had posted. I then contacted this site and Chewie contacted me. Chewie, you made all the difference. THANK YOU for taking the time to talk with me when I needed it the most. I am here thanks to you. I Posted Roll CAll thanks to you. I AM Quit Today thanks to you. You guys are aweswome and I know that without this site (and Chewie) I would not be quit today. Thank You!
It looks as though the planets aligned for you. If I were you, I would take that as a sign and keep my ass quit.
To tell the truth, this will probably be one of the most difficult things you have ever done. Don't let that shake you. It will also be one of the most rewarding things you have ever done. You must want this more than anything else in your life right now. Your quit is NUMBER ONE, right now. Everything else will take care of itself for right now.
It will get better. So much better that you can't really comprehend it right now.
Keep your word.
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Welcome to your new life brother. I promise you that you will never look back and think to yourself "Ya know, I wish I had never quit dipping!". If you need a number shoot me an email and mine is yours for the asking. Stay close to the site this weekend and drop into chat. The next few days will really suck but you can make it. I did.
MOA
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Thanks so much guys. I think I am experiencing the "fog" I keep reading about. Actually, that's a perfect description, the fog. But it's 5 PM and I am still quit! Ready-yes, the planets are Definitely aligned for me. Thirty years of dipping and here I am on Day One of my Quit. MOA-Thanks, I will be around the site all weekend. Tomorrow I will Post Roll Call. But for now I just have to get through today. If there is anything I can do for any of you, please let me know. Cornwallace-today I will Not let you down. ODAAT-Thanks for the welcome. TMP
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If there is anything I can do for any of you, please let me know.
Actually there is something you can do for me. If you are up for it. I am relying on you to keep your word and stay quit. No retreat, no surrender. Ever.
Caving is not an option. it just isn't.
You keep me quit.
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Ready, I am up for it. Today, I am keeping my word and staying quit. Today, there is no retreat, no surrender. Today, caving is not an option, it just isn't. Thanks, Ready, I needed that! I've been on here for several hours now and that is what I needed. I'm heading to my girlfriend's place for dinner. When I get back I am going to immediately log on here and stay here until I crash. This is what I have to do to get through today. And today, caving is not an option, it just isn't. TMP
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Had dinner at my girlfriend's and now I'm back and I am planted here for the rest of the night. Amazing! All the triggers and moments that I have made it through today without dipping. The "fog" is strange. I am trying to post on some other member's threads but I don't really have anything to say. I just realize that there are others that are new here as well and I don't want to just be taking. I am still Quit today. TMP
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It's 4 AM and I can't sleep. Bad fog. I already posted Roll Call. It was either that or go to the store and buy some Kodiak. But now since I have posted Roll Call going to the store to buy some dip is not an option today-today I am Quit. Posting Roll Call makes all the difference. TMP
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You got the right attitude brudda. If the cravings get too bad try tearing open a tea bag and dip tea leaves. The physical pain (sleeplessness, night sweats, constipation, ANGER!!!, the fog, etc. should wain after about 3 days or so. Just remember that this shit is hard but your wallet says "BAD MOTHERFUCKER" on it! Im working all weekend if you need something shoot me an email.
MOA
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Damn, it's all a bit strange right now but when your wallet, "which one is it? it's the one that says BAD MOTHERFUCKER on it, says Bad Motherfucker caving is not an option. It just isn't. Thanks MOA, that is one of my favorite scenes of all time. If it takes being a bad motherfucker today to stay Quit then that is excactlyt what I will be. Woke up and went straight to my computer and got my ass in here because I Posted Roll Call and today caving is not an option. It just isn't. TMP
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It's 9:30 PM and it's my Day 2. Much rougher day than yesterday. Honestly, a lot of today just flat out sucked. The addiction keeps trying to crawl in to my head with all kinds of ridiculous excuses to go buy some Kodiak and be done with it. But I posted Roll Call this morning and so today using nicotine is not an option. It just isn't. Today I am Quit. Today I am just getting through moment to moment. Right now I am on this site because that is exactly where I need to be. This morning I posted Roll Call and today I am Quit. Peace
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It's 9:30 PM and it's my Day 2. Much rougher day than yesterday. Honestly, a lot of today just flat out sucked. The addiction keeps trying to crawl in to my head with all kinds of ridiculous excuses to go buy some Kodiak and be done with it. But I posted Roll Call this morning and so today using nicotine is not an option. It just isn't. Today I am Quit. Today I am just getting through moment to moment. Right now I am on this site because that is exactly where I need to be. This morning I posted Roll Call and today I am Quit. Peace
You are on the verge of tasting the victory and freedom that we have experienced. I am impressed with your quit. I quit with you.
30
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30-Thank you. I do look for your posts because I dipped for 30 years as well. I'm on Day 3 right now and part of me is just stunned. 2 days ago "Day 3" seemed like a million miles away. But it wasn't a million miles away, it was just 2 days away. And what's even better is that the Only day that matters, the only day that makes a difference, is just today. That's it. Nothing else. All I have to do is just get through today. Minute by minute if need be but today I posted Roll Call so today I am Quit. Today, caving is not an option. It just isn't. Thank you KTC and all you awesome Quitters! Peace
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30-Thank you. I do look for your posts because I dipped for 30 years as well. I'm on Day 3 right now and part of me is just stunned. 2 days ago "Day 3" seemed like a million miles away. But it wasn't a million miles away, it was just 2 days away. And what's even better is that the Only day that matters, the only day that makes a difference, is just today. That's it. Nothing else. All I have to do is just get through today. Minute by minute if need be but today I posted Roll Call so today I am Quit. Today, caving is not an option. It just isn't. Thank you KTC and all you awesome Quitters! Peace
Keep it simple early on like you are doing. As you say minute by minute if need be.
You CAN do this, I like your mindset. Post your word and keep it.
STAY QUIT
Greg
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Greg-Thank you. It's such a roller coaster ride right now. I mean, it seems like every second is so different from the one before it. Yesterday I felt like crap. I hadn't slept the night before. The fog was really bad and I don't like not being "clear" in my head. Today, all of the "symptoms" are much better but the cravings are much, much worse. Honestly, I would much rather feel like shit and not be craving so badly. Today really is going to be a minute by minute day. But with all that being said, I will do whatever it takes to get through the next minute, because using nicotine isn't one of the options I have at my disposal. Today, I posted Roll Call and made a promise to you, and to all of my July 2011 Quit Brothers, and to every member of KTC, that today I will not use nic. Today I am not "trying to quit," today I posted Roll Call and today "I Am Quit." Peace
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Getting through my Day 3 Quit and it sucks. I know how ridiculous that must sound. Water is wet, right? My addiction tells me that if I just have a dip everything will be great. And part of me believes it. A very significant part of me believes it. So, here I am, the Day 3 new kid on the block, giving anybody out there who might just have happened on to this post, my desert-island piece of advice: Go Post Roll Call. I posted Roll Call first thing this morning, making a promise to myself, to my July 2011 Quit Group Brothers, and to everyone on KTC, that today I will not use nic. I will punch, kick, slap, and crawl my way through the next 60 seconds if I have to but I WIll NOT cave today. Posting Roll Call today is the reason my addiction has no power over me today. Today caving is not an option. It just isn't. Now, go post Roll Call. Peace
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Getting through my Day 3 Quit and it sucks. I know how ridiculous that must sound. Water is wet, right? My addiction tells me that if I just have a dip everything will be great. And part of me believes it. A very significant part of me believes it. So, here I am, the Day 3 new kid on the block, giving anybody out there who might just have happened on to this post, my desert-island piece of advice: Go Post Roll Call. I posted Roll Call first thing this morning, making a promise to myself, to my July 2011 Quit Group Brothers, and to everyone on KTC, that today I will not use nic. I will punch, kick, slap, and crawl my way through the nest 60 seconds if I have to but I WIll NOT cave today. Posting Roll Call today is the reason my addiction has no power over me today. Today caving is not an option. It just isn't. Now, go post Roll Call. Peace
Great job Peace - keep going - we can do it bro
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Corn, I am counting on you especially! We are in this Quit together. Our July 2011 Quit Group Rocks! Peace
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Closing out my Day 3 Quit. Hopefully I will be able to sleep some tonight. Have to be at work early tomorrow. Kind of excited to see what kind of day "Day 4" will be. Well, I'll be posting Roll first thing so however tomorrow turns out, it will turn out nic free. Peace
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Closing out my Day 3 Quit. Hopefully I will be able to sleep some tonight. Have to be at work early tomorrow. Kind of excited to see what kind of day "Day 4" will be. Well, I'll be posting Roll first thing so however tomorrow turns out, it will turn out nic free. Peace
I'll walk tomorrow with you bro - it should be a tad better
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Day 4 quit. Thanks for posting roll. Don't let the routine of work change a thing.
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sas-Thank you so much. I love Quitters checking up on me and holding me accountable! I see you have posted, too. Congrat's on 16!!! What sucks is I want to go around and check up on our July 2011 Quit Group Brothers but I have to leave and go to work. I'll log in as soon as I get back. Have a great day of Quit! Peace
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Closing out my Day 4 Quit with all of my July 2011 Brothers. You guys are awesome! I am hoping that I will get some good sleep tonight. Here's to all of us posting Roll Call tomorrow. Today I posted Roll Call and today I am Quit. Peace
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Finally got some sleep last night. Fog is still lurking but not near what it was. Days 2 and 3 sucked bad. Today (Day 5) is much, much better. Still using Smokey Mountain and I am starting to wonder if I am going to be able to quit the physical act of dipping. It's hard to get a handle on all this. I'm Day 5, that means all the nic is out of my system, right? Well, I did sleep better last night but I'm still foggy. Everybody is annoying the hell out of me. I still want to go to the store and buy some Kodiak. Or do I? Maybe I'm just so used to going and buying it that I just think I want to go and buy it. I mean, 30 years is a long damn time to be doing anything. And when you add in the fact that that thing that you were doing is addictive in itself, that's a pretty damn powerful combination. Today I posted Roll Call and Today I am Quit. Peace
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Finally got some sleep last night. Fog is still lurking but not near what it was. Days 2 and 3 sucked bad. Today (Day 5) is much, much better. Still using Smokey Mountain and I am starting to wonder if I am going to be able to quit the physical act of dipping. It's hard to get a handle on all this. I'm Day 5, that means all the nic is out of my system, right? Well, I did sleep better last night but I'm still foggy. Everybody is annoying the hell out of me. I still want to go to the store and buy some Kodiak. Or do I? Maybe I'm just so used to going and buying it that I just think I want to go and buy it. I mean, 30 years is a long damn time to be doing anything. And when you add in the fact that that thing that you were doing is addictive in itself, that's a pretty damn powerful combination. Today I posted Roll Call and Today I am Quit. Peace
TMP - Yeah it's gonna take some time to unwind your brain - like even today - Day 9 for me - I am still looking around for my can when I leave somewhere to make sure I don't forget it - and still look at all the hiding places in my car and home - thinking that I am going to reach for it any second - but it's not there - and then I remember my commitment to me, you and the July bros. And then the feeling goes away.....until the next time I leave for somewhere and check for my can again - I am a psycho freak right now - but we will prevail. Corn
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Happy to hear you are getting om better, Peace. Day 3 was a cast iron bitch for me too. It has been much, much easier since, except with all the skin growing back in my mouth toothpaste BURNS!!!!
Had to take a fairly long drive alone last night... The crave was pretty strong but I posted roll. No worm dirt of death for me!
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Finally got some sleep last night. Fog is still lurking but not near what it was. Days 2 and 3 sucked bad. Today (Day 5) is much, much better. Still using Smokey Mountain and I am starting to wonder if I am going to be able to quit the physical act of dipping. It's hard to get a handle on all this. I'm Day 5, that means all the nic is out of my system, right? Well, I did sleep better last night but I'm still foggy. Everybody is annoying the hell out of me. I still want to go to the store and buy some Kodiak. Or do I? Maybe I'm just so used to going and buying it that I just think I want to go and buy it. I mean, 30 years is a long damn time to be doing anything. And when you add in the fact that that thing that you were doing is addictive in itself, that's a pretty damn powerful combination. Today I posted Roll Call and Today I am Quit. Peace
Peace,
It took me 10 days to get a reasonable amount of sleep. After that I felt much better. I suppose all the Nic is out of your system, but you will still have withdrawal symptoms as your brain learns how to function without nicotine. What will start to happen is you will have several good days and then you will hit a day or two of fog/craves/etc. Power through them to get to another string of good days. Those strings of good days will get longer and longer.
Stay Quit
30
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Stay strong man. You are on a very bumpy road, but a good road you must travel. Be ready cause your fight is not over. You will more than likely hit a rough spot around 40-60 days. Power through it!!!!!!!! Put as much effort into your quit as you used to put into dipping. Ever ran out late at night and lost sleep to go get a can? Put 110% into this and remember we are behind you.
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Thanks guys. I know we're all in this together. I forgot what I was gonna say cuz I just realized I'm totally pissed off at myself for creating a hole where none existed and now I have to deal with all this SHIT. And I want to blame somebody, anybody, but the only idiot I have to blame is me. Maybe I'm just barely creeping up to that line where instead of being completely lost in my own subjectivity I'm just far enough away (Day 5) from the nic bitch that I can see her somewhat objectively, and what I am seeing is just PISSING ME OFF. I was so easy. Hell, I don't remember ever even putting up a fight. 30 freakin' years I just did whatever the hell she told me to. No backbone, no resistance, no defiance, no fight, no nothin. How humiliating! Hell, I'm a runner. I exercise. I always have a frisbee, a football, a baseball and a baseball glove in my vehicle at all times. I drink lots of water. I KNOW BETTER. But it just didn't occur to me how incongruous stuffing a known carcinogen into my mouth all day was, along with all the healthy crap I was doing. And now all this SHIT. But then I get home and the first thing I do is log in to home base (KTC) and there are messages from you total Bad Ass Quitters telling me to stay strong and your in this with me and I'm not alone and I've got PM's from Corn and others thanking me for helping them or for helping us or giving me numbers and letting me know I'm not the only one going through some particular thing and I remember that even though I am going through all this SHIT, I have not gone to the store to buy the Kodiak because today I posted Roll Call and gave my word to all you Awesome, Amazing, Incredible, Bad Ass Quitters that I would not use nic today and I thank God for you. Today I posted Roll Call and Today I am Quit. Peace
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We are the Army of Quit and you, my July 2011 Quit Brothers, are the most Bad-Ass Quitters on the planet. I am proud and honored to be Quit with all of you and with all the totally Bad-Ass Vets of KTC for always having our backs! Day 7 for me and this is the best damn day of Quit I've had so far. Today I posted Roll Call and Today I am Quit with all of you Epic Quitters! Peace
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We are the Army of Quit and you, my July 2011 Quit Brothers, are the most Bad-Ass Quitters on the planet. I am proud and honored to be Quit with all of you and with all the totally Bad-Ass Vets of KTC for always having our backs! Day 7 for me and this is the best damn day of Quit I've had so far. Today I posted Roll Call and Today I am Quit with all of you Epic Quitters! Peace
Peace,
Thanks for the encouragement, Army of Quit Brother!
Romandog
I am Quit, Day 4
Foggy, but clearing
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Glad to hear its getting better. But dont let your guard down! That nic whore will whisper sweet nothings in your ear and convince you that "Just One" is OK. Its NOT! Stay vigilant. See you in the HOF.
MOA
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Some of the sweet nothings that nic whore whispers in my ear used to make me blush. Now I just look at her and do this: 'finger point' Then, when that doesn't work she does this: 'boob' And at first I do this: :wub: And then I realize what I'm doing and then do this: 'bang head' After I regain consciousness I am finally back to my senses and do this: 'Finger' And then, because I'm so cool, I go and do this: 'Sno' Peace
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Romandog-My Bad Ass Army of Quit Brother, I had what was easily the best Day of Quit so far. (Day 7) I really needed it because I had a string of days that sucked. I actually had a good night of sleep last night as well. It was 10 days before 30 yraddict had a good night's sleep so I got lucky there. It does get better! Be sure to PM me if there is anything I can do. Today I posted Roll Call and today I am Quit. Peace
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Some of the sweet nothings that nic whore whispers in my ear used to make me blush. Now I just look at her and do this: 'finger point' Then, when that doesn't work she does this: 'boob' And at first I do this: :wub: And then I realize what I'm doing and then do this: 'bang head' After I regain consciousness I am finally back to my senses and do this: 'Finger' And then, because I'm so cool, I go and do this: 'Sno' Peace
Peace,
You had me laughing so hard my sides where aching!
'crackup'
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Some of the sweet nothings that nic whore whispers in my ear used to make me blush. Now I just look at her and do this:Â 'finger point'Â Then, when that doesn't work she does this:Â 'boob'Â And at first I do this:Â :wub:Â And then I realize what I'm doing and then do this:Â 'bang head'Â After I regain consciousness I am finally back to my senses and do this:Â 'Finger'Â And then, because I'm so cool, I go and do this:Â 'Sno' Peace
Peace,
You had me laughing so hard my sides where aching!
'crackup'
glad you didn't say you did this:
'chief'
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Some of the sweet nothings that nic whore whispers in my ear used to make me blush. Now I just look at her and do this:Â 'finger point'Â Then, when that doesn't work she does this:Â 'boob'Â And at first I do this:Â :wub:Â And then I realize what I'm doing and then do this:Â 'bang head'Â After I regain consciousness I am finally back to my senses and do this:Â 'Finger'Â And then, because I'm so cool, I go and do this:Â 'Sno' Peace
Peace,
You had me laughing so hard my sides where aching!
'crackup'
glad you didn't say you did this:
'chief'
That is some goo shit right there !!!
'crackup'
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Some of the sweet nothings that nic whore whispers in my ear used to make me blush. Now I just look at her and do this:Â 'finger point'Â Then, when that doesn't work she does this:Â 'boob'Â And at first I do this:Â :wub:Â And then I realize what I'm doing and then do this:Â 'bang head'Â After I regain consciousness I am finally back to my senses and do this:Â 'Finger'Â And then, because I'm so cool, I go and do this:Â 'Sno' Peace
Peace,
You had me laughing so hard my sides where aching!
'crackup'
glad you didn't say you did this:
'chief'
that is a secret..... :lol:
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Some of the sweet nothings that nic whore whispers in my ear used to make me blush. Now I just look at her and do this:Â 'finger point'Â Then, when that doesn't work she does this:Â 'boob'Â And at first I do this:Â :wub:Â And then I realize what I'm doing and then do this:Â 'bang head'Â After I regain consciousness I am finally back to my senses and do this:Â 'Finger'Â And then, because I'm so cool, I go and do this:Â 'Sno' Peace
Peace,
You had me laughing so hard my sides where aching!
'crackup'
glad you didn't say you did this:
'chief'
that is a secret..... :lol:
Not to all of my neighbors. Just sayin'
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Day 12. My Quit is making me embarrassingly emotional. I'm all over the map. Mild depression to manic in a heartbeat. Hoping I get back to being leveled out soon. Today I posted Roll Call and today I am Quit. Peace
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Day 12. My Quit is making me embarrassingly emotional. I'm all over the map. Mild depression to manic in a heartbeat. Hoping I get back to being leveled out soon. Today I posted Roll Call and today I am Quit. Peace
Took me a while to level out. Then I was embarrassed at my behavior. I now treat people better than I did when I was using nicotine. I was such an ass when I did not get my fix. Soooo much better now. Day 12. Good job. One day at a time.
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Day 13- It's been a good day of Quit. Today I posted Roll Call and today I am Quit. Peace
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Proud of your quit Peace!
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Peace is da man! quitting machine!
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'archer' Peace
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Morning, Day 16 Quit. Last night me and my girlfriend went to a really good Mexican restaurant. I love Mexican food . I could live on nothing but Mexican food and barbecue for the rest of my life. Anyway, on the way home "Shout it Out Loud" by KISS came on the radio. I cranked it. My girlfriend started dancing to it. It was an awesome night. Nicotine, and my addiction to it, were the furthest things from my mind. This morning the craves are back. Nicotine, and my addiction to it, are right there in front of me like they usually are. Finishing my morning cup of coffee is one of my many triggers. So here I am. On this site working my Quit with some fake stuff in my lip. I actually like the wintergreen Smokey Mountain so I guess I'm pretty lucky in that regard. Now, off to the Bumpfest Battle Royale otherwise known as The Tornadoes of Quit Jackassery Roll Call... Peace
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Remember how good last night felt... it will begin to happen more and more as you distance yourself from the bitch.
Keep fighting.. it is worth it.
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Remember how good last night felt... it will begin to happen more and more as you distance yourself from the bitch.Â
Keep fighting.. it is worth it.
.....what Greg said. Good job peace!
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Day 18. Great day to be Quit. Yesterday they got him. God Bless America! Peace
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(Quit Day 19) - I was on the site today (some days I just have to spend a lot of time on the site working my Quit, to stay Quit) and came across this gem posted by Greg5280. I copied it here for easy reference when I need it:
The Real You
** Portions taken from an article on Why Quit.com**
Try to remember if you can, what it was like being you? Not the chemically dependant you, the REAL you. What was it like to function every morning without nicotine? To finish a meal, travel, talk on the phone, have a disagreement, start a project or take a break without putting nicotine into your body? What was it like before nicotine took control? What was it like residing inside a mind that did not crave for nicotine? Can you remember? For most of us our addiction has controlled us so long we cannot remember the “real” us. I know I cannot.
One of the most terrifying aspects of drug addiction is just how quickly nearly all remaining memory of life without the external chemical are buried by high definition dopamine induced memories generated by using it. It's a common thread among all drug addicts. And make no mistakes, you are an addict, admitting that is the first step to recovery.
We became slaves to the world of "nicotine normal," and by doing so we were each provided a new identity. The nicotine dependant, addict. The junkie worrying about the next fix. The captive brain dopamine pathways did their designed job and did it well. They left us convinced that our next nicotine fix was central to survival, as important as drinking water or eating food. How many of you passed up food to buy a can? How many times did you skip time with family to feed your addiction ? Dig through the trash to find a few grains to hold you over until you got to the store?
Why do we fear quitting? Such thinking can unconsciously tease and play upon old nicotine use memories, making us feel as though we've left something of tremendous value behind. If allowed, it can tease and inflame false fears, fears born of nicotine urge and replenishment memories, strong vivid memories whose purpose were to convince us that nicotine is vital to survival, memories that should never have been present in the first place, memories only made possible because a poison substance entered the brain and was able to disrupt your normal thought processes.
When you think about "quitting" I hope you stop and realize when the real "quitting" took place. You quit being you the first moment nicotine entered your bloodstream. Quitting nicotine is about recognizing and embracing the truth but be prepared; learning that for years we fooled ourselves and lived a lie can invoke a host of emotions including depression, apathy, confusion and anger. Start your journey with baby steps, patience, honesty and you too will soon be entirely comfortable again engaging all aspects of life without nicotine. Contrary to deeply held beliefs that were pounded into your brain by an endless cycle of urges and rewards, and lies pumped into you by Big Tobacco, you are leaving absolutely nothing of value behind.
Is there really anything to fear? Why be afraid of returning to a calm and quiet place where you no longer crave a chemical that today and every day for as long as you can remember you cannot seem to get off your mind, a chemical that is a mandatory part of every day's plan? Is freedom of thought and action a good thing or bad? If good, then why fear life without a chemical that is controlling you? A chemical that is killing you.
How wonderful would it be to again live inside an undisturbed, non-poisoned mind where addiction chatter gradually becomes infrequent, then rare? Again, I ask you, "What was it like being you?"
Quit today and start finding out...