For those of you that have been quit for some time now when did it become to where you stopped associating certain activities with dipping?
For example, if I am going on a long drive, Im dipping more than I am not. I am curious to know when that wears off or if it ever does.
Another example, if I find myself in a stressful situation regarding work, life, pretty much anything, I truly feel like a dip will make me handle that situation more effectively (How crazy is that?) When does that go away?
I am on day 2 today and it was far more shitty than day 1 with regard to the cravings. With that said, I know I don't have a whole lot of room to talk and I know they say it takes 72 hours to get the nic out of your system so I am definitely not being impatient, nor am I allowing the cravings to win, I am staying strong but am just looking for some wisdom. I am just wondering if life is just always going to suck without dip, because I love dip and miss it like hell. But Im done and not turning back.
Any comments or information would be appreciated.
Just curious. Thanks for your time.
Absolutely. When I first quit, everything I did I associated with my past dirty habit. For example, when I go to the driving range or golf course, it's really hard for me to not think about dip. The same thing applies to playing video games or drinking beer with my buddies.
These are called "triggers"...and for a damn good reason. Our mind has been wired to associate a particular habit in our lifestyle with our addiction. It's the nic bitch in and of itself.
If it weren't for "triggers," I would imagine that it would be a whole lot easier to put down the can for good. Unfortunately, that's not a luxury we have. Every time we are faced with a situation in which dipping is associate is a challenge. You have to either 1) avoid the trigger, which can be difficult because triggers are something we enjoy anyway....or 2) face the triggers and beat down the cravings using pure willpower.
It's all part of the struggle. Myself...I don't live my life any differently now than I did before I dipped for 9 years. But everyone is different.
Keep pressing on.
Do you want to know what my biggest trigger was?
Being awake
I would have a dip from the moment I woke up (sometimes with one in my mouth while I was sleeping). I'd wake up with shit strewn all over my face. My mouth would taste disgusting. My tongue and throat burned from swallowing most of it.
I'd get up, clean up my face, and pop another dip in.
I was Fucking pathetic.
I hought i loved dip. I thought i NEEDED it to be happy.
The other day at my oldest's baseball practice, we were teaching the boys how to swing the bat. Each boy was lining up at the plate, and each boy had a flaw in his swing. Some had jump steps when the ball came. Others stepped towards third base. Some didn't step at all. We gave them some exercises to do at home, and I can already see a difference in my son's swing after a few days.
A baseball swing is about muscle memory. After a few hundred times of doing the same shit over and over again, our bodies just do it. We don't have to think about it so much.
That's what quitting is about.
We learn how to hit life's pitches in proper form sans nicotine. It takes muscle memory to get the proper form. It might take a few times at the plate, or some work, but soon our bodies learn they can do it and actually do it without thinking.
You are on day 2, and that id badass.
Don't rush it. It will come with some practice.
