New quitter

[Greg5280]

Most nicotine addicts you'll see today are almost completely insulated by a thick blanket of unconscious denial rationalizations, minimizations, fault projections, escapes, intellectualizations and delusions that hide the pain of captivity or create the illusion that the problem is somehow being solved. The average addict musters the confidence to challenge their addiction about once every three years, at which time roughly 1 in 20 will succeed in breaking free for an entire year. These horrible recovery statistics evenutally result in half of us dying by our own hand, with male users losing an average of 13 years of life expectancy and females losing 14 years. Our senseless self-destruction is undeniable visible evidence of denial's depth, and the power of this addiction. The addiction insulated us from the extreme price being paid with each and every puff or pinch - a little more of life itself taken, all to line the pockets of big tobacco.
Sadly for far too many the three years between recovery attempts will be too long. According to the World Health Organization the next three years will cost 15 million of our brother and sister addicts their lives. If you are here reading this you are at a crossroads. You want to quit but are not sure you can. This is where you need to be. It will be tough, you will have to endure some pain but it can be done. As a former can to can and a half a day user I can attest to the fact that this site and the methods here do work. You have a choice to make today, another try in three years may be too late.


Drop the patches, gum, lozenges, suppositories whatever other NIC delivery system you have. Get rid of them ALL !!

[Bean]

John - nic is for pussies. Grow a pair, trash the patches, and embrace the suck!!! The freedom of living nic free more than makes up for the suck.

C'mon man...YOU CAN DO THIS!!!

[nomoregrizz]

John,
The reason that your not feeling what we have all described is that your NOT NICOTINE FREE. The patches are a transdermal nicotine supply! Guess what dip is......A TRANSDERMAL NICOTINE SUPPLY!!! Youre only changing the location from your lip to your arm.
NMG

[WAKEBRDN]

Thanks everyone for the awesome advice.

In about an hour it will have been about a day since my last dip. I noticed you guys were really adamant about not using the patches, so I think I will either go through what's left of them (these bastards were expensive) and then go cold turkey instead of the "next step" or just stop using them.

I noticed that while I feel a little loopy, I definitely haven't encountered anything close to what some of y'all have described. Which worries me because I don't want to think I'm doing great and not dipping then once its time to lower my "nicotine regimen" in a week or so I'm just going to cave in.

I dunno, has the "patch system" worked for anyone? I mean, at all?

I just talked to my manager this morning and he told me he's quit dipping "tons of times" and one time for over a year and a half. It's just an intimidating thing to there when you wanna quit so bad.

Listen John,

You know what's really expensive? Cancer treatment.
Throw those fucking patches to the dirt!!!

Take this advice from a guy who tried all that shit.

Attempt #1.... Used the patch, lasted a couple weeks. Fucked up dreams, didn't work, went back to the can.
Attempt #2.... Used the nic gum. Chomped on those things like they were candy. A year later and I was spending more on the gum than I was on the dip. I WAS ADDICTED TO THE FUCKING GUM. Finally said fuck it and went back to the can.
Attempt #3.... Used the nic lozenge. Sucked on those fuckers like they were jolly ranchers. I WAS ADDICTED TO THE FUCKING LOZENGE. Finally said fuck it and went back to the can.
Attempt #4....Repeat attempt 2
Attempt #5....Repeat attempt 3

SEE THE PATTERN???

Get the Nicotine out of your system now...It's the best way brother.

Brian

Ditto what Brianl said tried them all too -- you are prolonging the agony...and you will still have to go through the suck when you finally quit the patch.

Man up...through all the crap away....and start to free your body of nic.

One bit of advice i haven't seen on your thread yet - I ran, biked or slept for the first 48 hours and then ran twice a day for most of the first week. Excercise is a great way to clear the mind and avoid the craves.

[brianl]

Thanks everyone for the awesome advice.

In about an hour it will have been about a day since my last dip. I noticed you guys were really adamant about not using the patches, so I think I will either go through what's left of them (these bastards were expensive) and then go cold turkey instead of the "next step" or just stop using them.

I noticed that while I feel a little loopy, I definitely haven't encountered anything close to what some of y'all have described. Which worries me because I don't want to think I'm doing great and not dipping then once its time to lower my "nicotine regimen" in a week or so I'm just going to cave in.

I dunno, has the "patch system" worked for anyone? I mean, at all?

I just talked to my manager this morning and he told me he's quit dipping "tons of times" and one time for over a year and a half. It's just an intimidating thing to there when you wanna quit so bad.

Listen John,

You know what's really expensive? Cancer treatment.
Throw those fucking patches to the dirt!!!

Take this advice from a guy who tried all that shit.

Attempt #1.... Used the patch, lasted a couple weeks. Fucked up dreams, didn't work, went back to the can.
Attempt #2.... Used the nic gum. Chomped on those things like they were candy. A year later and I was spending more on the gum than I was on the dip. I WAS ADDICTED TO THE FUCKING GUM. Finally said fuck it and went back to the can.
Attempt #3.... Used the nic lozenge. Sucked on those fuckers like they were jolly ranchers. I WAS ADDICTED TO THE FUCKING LOZENGE. Finally said fuck it and went back to the can.
Attempt #4....Repeat attempt 2
Attempt #5....Repeat attempt 3

SEE THE PATTERN???

Get the Nicotine out of your system now...It's the best way brother.

Brian

[genghisjohn]

Thanks everyone for the awesome advice.

In about an hour it will have been about a day since my last dip. I noticed you guys were really adamant about not using the patches, so I think I will either go through what's left of them (these bastards were expensive) and then go cold turkey instead of the "next step" or just stop using them.

I noticed that while I feel a little loopy, I definitely haven't encountered anything close to what some of y'all have described. Which worries me because I don't want to think I'm doing great and not dipping then once its time to lower my "nicotine regimen" in a week or so I'm just going to cave in.

I dunno, has the "patch system" worked for anyone? I mean, at all?

I just talked to my manager this morning and he told me he's quit dipping "tons of times" and one time for over a year and a half. It's just an intimidating thing to there when you wanna quit so bad.

[brianl]

Welcome John,

You've already got a ton of solid Quit'n advice thrown your way so I won't repeat it.
Here's what I will say:

Is it gonna suck? YES
Is it gonna be a battle? YES
Withdrawals? YES
Grumpy prick? YES
IS IT GOING TO SAVE YOUR FUCKING LIFE? YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

nuf said

PM me if you need anything.
Brian

[nomoregrizz]

John,
Hey bro....Im Bob and Im on the verge of my NINTH day quit. I was a can to a can and a half per day dipper for the last 9 months. I started dipping at a young age and was quickly addicted. I dipped about a can a day until I was about 16 then I started smoking. I smoked until 9 moths ago when I decided to quit....I bought a can of skoal to take the edge off of smoking. BOOM....I was right back to dipping full force again.
No heres some facts to clear you up on some things......no matter HOW much nicotine you have saturated your body with.....it will completely purge itself in 72 hours. I like to call it the 72 hour soak......the last 12 or so hours of which will bring even the most dedicated quitter to his knees. "Nicotine replacement" DOES NOT WORK....period.....end of sentence. Your merely robbing peter to pay paul. Dont stick the little patches on your arm.....Dont gnaw on that VILE tasting gum or suck on the little lozenges or lozengers or however the fuck you spell it. I have tried ALL of these at one point or another and NONE of them worked. Dont even get me started on the electronic cigarettes....i have a whole set of issues with them.
Now I may be a newbie in this forum and only 9 days quit...but allow me to tell you the two things that work.....the support of all your bros on this board, and a big hairy set of balls. Cold turkey is the only way my friend. Once you take your personal stand and say I QUIT.....rip off the rear view and never look back. Post roll call EVERY morning....that is your promise to yourself first and foremost....and to the rest of your bros on here to be COMPLETELY NICOTINE FREE for that day. It will totally suck for the first few days......remember how it feels......you dont ever want to feel it again. And for gods sake DO NOT CAVE......just dont do it. When it totally sucks donkey nuts....post it.....when youve done well and feel good....post it. Everyone on here cares and WANTS to hear about it.
Im only 9 days quit and i have a LONG road ahead to my HOF....but this board and this group has inspired me to the point that I KNOW I will make it......you will too dude. Yesterday + 1.....thats the way to live. Post roll in the morning and kick the day in the ass bro. PM me if you need anything man.
NMG

[Greg5280]

John,
I wish there was a way I could tell you it would be easy but it will not. Nicotine is a very powerful drug and you have been shoveling it in your face for years. Your addiction is no worse than any other on here. We all fight the same demon.

It is going to suck, it is going to be difficult, just remember every miserable second of it and NEVER put that shit in your face again.

Advice:

1. Get rid of the patches, gum, whatever NIC delivery system you are using. NIC is NIC and you will not be free from it until you stop ingesting it. Make sure you have dumped ALL your cans. Flush them so you cannot go back and get them out of the trash.

2. Post roll daily like it is your job. These fine people will keep you quit.

3. Get phone numbers of other quitters. They will help talk you down if need be.

4. Get a plan written down and carry it with you. Something that when the shit gets wierd you can turn to.

5. Read everything you can here. Understand the addiction you are fighting.

6. Be active here. Invest in your quit, invest in others. Accountability !!

7. Get some juice, water, seeds, candy, straws, gum, jerky, Jalapeno Cheetos. Basically get whatever you need to stuff into your face that will keep you from putting a dip in.

8. Believe in the system used here. All these bad ass quitters can't be wrong.

Sing out if you need help.
STAY QUIT
Greg

[scooners]

I was not as heavy a user as you, 1 can every two days. Withdrawal symptoms were massive fog first two days - slight headache - felt like I had flu, even ran a fever. Still at day 4, not all there yet - espcially in the mornings because that was when I chewed the most - breakfast was a Grizz on the way to work, cup of coffee then another fresh Grizz before hitting the floor, on the floor for 10 minutes got rid of the old Grizz and put in a new Grizz (this was about a 45 minute cycle). I have identified this as my danger time and try to mix up my morning routine as much as possible to avoid triggers.

As far as crabby - everybody at work and at home knows what I am doing, so I am getting somewhat of a pass on that - most are up front enought to just say something like "Lee, your quite an asshole today. Thanks for the constructive imput, Shit head." That keeps me going.

Also - no patches, no gum, no lozenge, no compromize - straight up cold turky hold the mayo. It sucks - but it works. I did not think I would pay that badly on day one and two, then day 3 kicked me in the jimmy, day 4 is better - I dont quite feel like bill the cat, and I am looking forward to another day + 1.

Failure is not an Option.

[Bean]

Great choice. I can't speak for everyone, but I think only YOU can make YOU quit. This site can help you keep your word. Read everything on this site...what else are you going to do at night?

Actually, there is a ton of wisdom here, stories of what to expect, stories of failure and how to avoid it, etc. It is a wild ride...embrace the suck and enjoy it.

Find your "Quit Group" and post roll everyday. That is your promise not to dip that day...then fight through that day and avoid nic at all costs!!!

Your new motto is "Yesterday + 1"...that is, you promised not to dip yesterday, you kept your word, and you're gonna do it again.

Nothing fancy, no tricks, just kick nic's ass one day at a time, brother.

[genghisjohn]

Hey forum, everyone here seems really positive so I figured this would be the place for me.

Let's see, I'm 24 years old, my name is John, I'm from the great state of Georgia and I've been dipping heavy since I was 18. I took my first dip at around 14 and would take one throughout high school whenever I had the chance or when I could find someone who would purchase it for me.

I've ALWAYS been a heavy dipper. Over the past two years or so, going through two cans a day has been nothing. My body has learned to adjust to that much nicotine somehow. It's pretty frightening.

Bottom line, I'm ready to be done with this. This is my second attempt at quitting. I quit once before for around a month and a half then decided I'd reward myself with a cigar, which a few beers later, prompted me to buy a can and I've been in the vicious cycle ever since.

I recently finished up college, found a girl who I'd like to marry and got a good job. It's become apparent that those three things alone are worth far more than shoving some leaves in my mouth for thirty minutes. I am just very, very wary of the withdrawal symptoms I'm going to encounter.

The first time I quit I was using a solid can a day. The first four or five days was hell. I particularly remember the "fog" that many have eluded to on here. I felt numb to everything around me, my head hurt, sleep was nearly obsolete and I put on 10 pounds within two and a half weeks. My worry now is that since I've upped the amount I dip per day that these symptoms are going to double in severity.

It's gotten to a point now to where if I don't have a dip for more than two hours I'm visibly crabby and anxious to get my poison. I bought some 1st step nicoderm and smoky mountain herbal snuff but I know that I'm still going to be in for a wild ride.

Did anyone have an addiction as severe as mine has been? If so, what were your withdrawal symptoms? How did you beat it? How long were your withdrawals?

I've always thought that when you want to quit something you're not going to do it if you NEED to, you're going to be successful only if you truly WANT to. And I truly want to beat this horrible addiction I've created.

Words of advice and encouragement needed, thanks for all the support.

John