KillTheCan.org Accountability Forum
Community => Introductions => Topic started by: Hawkeye on March 04, 2013, 08:13:00 AM
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Hello to all!
I was a long time skoal user who tried to quit 5-6 times in 2012 and then used those failures to formulate a plan to TRULY quit in 2013.
To my shock, it has worked so far.
On Saturday January 5th, 2013 at 9:30 AM I spit out what I swore would be the last plug of Skoal I would ever put in my mouth.
Here I sit today, tobacco free for 57 days, and I've never been prouder.
I stumbled onto this site last night while doing a google search for Smokey Mountain Chew and was thrilled to see that there was a support group for those who are trying to quit or who have quit chewing tobacco.
I'd like to share my experiences, help keep others strong, and talk about what I did to prepare myself to quit and what I learned from my failed quit attempts in 2012 that helped me formulate my plan to quit and stay quit.
I quit because I love my family and want to be around awhile, the constant guilt that I felt while chewing, didn't like the way I knew others look at tobacco chewers when they see that mouth bulge and spitting, spit cup spills, the way my car always stank,, little stains from errant spits on shirts, the 6 dollars a day it was costing(in NY that is what it has cost for a long time), and because I didn't want to be "hooked" on something that controlled me.
Upsides so far? That awful morning mouth taste is gone(no matter how you scrubbed your teeth at night before bed, we all know that in the morning that taste was there). The ANXIETY I have felt the last few years about possibly killing myself by dipping is gone!!! No more "sneaking" dips away from family or girlfriends(they always suspect and know what you are doing anyway). I figure have saved about 350 dollars so far. No more spit stains on my shirts. I had my car detailed and no more dip smell in the car. After initial troubles, my stomach and digestive system are actually BETTER then they were before.
Downsides? I've gained a lot of weight and I miss the nicotine buzz, especially that first dip of the day after morning coffee.
But I can lose the weight, and every time I miss the buzz I run my tongue through my mouth and taste a mouth without that garbage taste and I know it is worth it.
I'd like to help and share with everyone.
My name is Michael.
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Welcome Michael!
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Thanks for the welcome!
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Welcome Michael.
Good job quitting on your own, and even better job reaching out in what looks like to be a good time in your quit. Most quitters only seek help when times are tough, and don't actively pursue their quits.
Fortunately, you don't have to quit alone anymore.
We have a process here to quit that is simple (but sometimes not easy):
Post roll-Promise that you won't use nicotine today. Your roll call is both your battle cry and your cry for help.
Keep your word-Do whatever you have to do to stay quit today.
Repeat-Come back here tomorrow and do the same thing.
Although we can't quit for you, we can help you carry the load. We will be there for you in times of good and bad. All you have to do is ask.
Welcome to April.
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Welcome, Michael. Your story is like a carbon copy of mine. I mean really, almost exactly the same. I don't recall exactly what day I showed up here, but it was in the 50s I'm almost positive. Just felt like I couldn't go any farther. Probably would have failed that day had I not found this place. I caught some flack from people questioning the validity of my quit. After that, I was welcomed with open arms and been doing the "+1" thing ever since. Don't let anybody give you flack about showing up here late. But, keep in mind that there is much knowledge to be gained here.
I thought I had my stuff together, but have completely changed my mindset since being around KTC. That's what is involved. A changed mindset. The one thing I would point out is that I had to realize that I was dealing with an enemy that will never rest. NEVER. That fact alone made a big difference and pointed out why I had failed in the past. From your intro:
I was a long time skoal user
because I didn't want to be "hooked" on something that controlled me
You're avoiding what you are. We are addicts. Nicotine is one of the most higly addictive substances known. That means we will never be cured. We're always one pinch away from going back to the exact severity we suffered before. If I hadn't realized that, I am very certain I would not be where I am today.
You are correct that the weight can be lost. When I quit, I swelled to the largest weight of my life. I knew I couldn't tackle two things at once. Worry about that later. Somewhere post-HOF, I tackled that. I sit here today at 38 years old and my college weight. There are support groups for that on KTC too when you get ready.
Drop me a PM if you need anything at all.
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I'm glad you found killthecan. I am in April group and I believe you are too. I suggest you get aquainted with a lot of the stuff on this site, its a disneyland of quit. I get into some of the areas of posts and read lots, interesting strong people here who may be a little crazy sometimes, and are experiencing quit together. I sent you a small email also, as I'm learning to use some of the features of this group. iquitchewwing 68
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Welcome aboard Hawkeye!!! Proud to be quit w you!!!
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Congrats on 58 days, Hawkeye. I'm on day 58 as well!
If you are looking to join up with the April group, what we do here is post "Roll" every morning. Posting Roll is a promise to everybody in the April group that you will not use nicotine of any kind for that whole day, and only that day. The "one day at a time" approach really works well - there are times that "quitting forever" just doesnt seem possible. So we dont quit forever - we just quit for today.
Oh, and the reason you're in the April 2013 group is because that's when you'll hit 100 days quit. This is called the Hall Of Fame here.
Anyway - explore around the website, I'm sure you'll find some useful info, and figure out how to post roll, etc etc. Welcome!
PS - I've gained about 15 pounds myself... not happy about it, but I'll worry about that later.
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Welcome Hawkeye! Good to see all these people biting fingernails. Good luck, stay with it.
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Welcome Hawkeye! Keep kicking the can's ass. I love being Quit. I love driving by the gas station on my way to work. I love my teeth getting white again. I love the $20.00 bills in my pocket. I love kissing my kids and wife in the morning.
I'm 5 days to my H.O.F. speech. I could not have done it without my brothers of March. For the past 95 days I woke up and said "I will not fucking chew today"...don't forget to say "fucking". Then post up to your group.
You can do it. This place is for Quitters! Come on in. The water is nice and warm. KC Bronco
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Welcome Hawkeye! Keep kicking the can's ass. I love being Quit. I love driving by the gas station on my way to work. I love my teeth getting white again. I love the $20.00 bills in my pocket. I love kissing my kids and wife in the morning.
I'm 5 days to my H.O.F. speech. I could not have done it without my brothers of March. For the past 95 days I woke up and said "I will not fucking chew today"...don't forget to say "fucking". Then post up to your group.
You can do it. This place is for Quitters! Come on in. The water is nice and warm. KC Bronco
I will NOT FUCKING CHEW today!!
Yeah, those things are great. That morning run to the gas station where the girl behind the counter had my Skoal ready to hand to me as soon as she saw my car pull up is something I sure don't miss.
I don't miss that nasty taste in my mouth in the morning either.
I don't miss hiding my spit cup when someone walked by who I didn't want to see it.
I don't miss the stench in my car that only chewers know, that combo of spilled dip ground into the carpet along with the odor of the spit cup that seems to hang in the air thick.
I don't miss pissing away 40 bucks a week.
I don't miss the guilt of putting a plug in and thinking about how I could be killing myself.
I don't miss spit cup spills and cursing myself out while I clean them up.
I'm DONE