Hello, everybody. My name is Jim and I am about to turn 22. This year, I figured that the best gift I can possibly give myself is to finally kick this nasty habit.
I first started when I turned 18 and found the novelty of buying things that I couldn't previously purchase. I had tried cigarettes prior to this in my teenage years, but did not like them. I had been wanting to try a can of dip, but was too embarrassed to ask any of my older friends to buy it for me.
Well, I walked to the store that day and bought a can of Copenhagen Black. The first few dips were nasty, but eventually I grew to really like it. This began my addiction.
I tried several different dips, but Cope Black was still my favorite. My dips started getting bigger and bigger, until it got to the point where I'm at now where one can will only give me two dips.
After Cope Black was discontinued, I moved on to Grizzly Fine Cut Natural, and then eventually back to Cope Snuff once Grizzly wasn't so cheap anymore.
I have maintained a can a day habit off and on over the past four years. There are several times where I'd quit for two or three months, not of my own choice, but due to money or relationship reasons. In the end, I'd always start again.
When I first started, I told myself that I'd only do it for a few months and then stop, fully knowing the risks involved.
That was four years ago.
I've had my first experience with health issues related to this over the past year or so. From the unexplained mouth sores that scare me until they go away to my doctor telling me my blood pressure is way too high for my age and weight, this just isn't a risk that I want to continue taking.
I'm tired of scrounging for change to buy a can, dropping the exact 5.07 on the counter that will buy me my silver and black can of poison. I'm tired of not wearing my contacts just because I know they will burn when I put them in if I've dipped at all that day. I'm tired of having stains on my pants. I'm tired of wondering if that sore is going to go away this time. I'm tired of explaining to the cute cashier that it's for my brother and that I too find it repulsive.
The ironic thing is that I found this site while I had half a can packed in my lip. I've been telling myself over the past few months that I'd quit after just one more can. One can turned in to another, and then another, and so on.
Well, now I'm finally putting my foot down before it's too late (and also hoping that it's not already too late). I am done with this. I'm not kidding myself anymore when I tell myself that I'm not addicted. "I could quit at anytime" is what I'm so used to telling myself, well, now it's finally time to prove it.
