Hello everybody, I write this today as day 103 of my quit. Why did I start? Peer pressure at the time and it scares me to this day what my two boys are going thru. In the 50 years of my life tobacco has been there for 38 years in one way or another. I was exposed to it at a young age then had friends in school that got me hooked. Thats a long time to have that crap in your life. Chewed as a teenager then went to smoking as a young adult because the girls were grossed out by chewing. Then when I was 27 I was sent to the hospital during my stint as a volunteer firefighter because I couldn’t breath at a house fire. Switched back to chew and got married in 98 telling my new wife I need to quit. We had our first child 17 years ago. I quit for 2 months. Had our 2nd child 15 years ago. I quit for 3 months. We had our 3rd 12 years ago. Never even tried to quit. When I turned 50 last year I started to reflect on my life and realised how bad I was addicted. I never thought when I was 25 that I would be addicted still. My daughter turned 12 this spring “yup I started late, didn’t want to be tied down” and it hit me hard. My brain went into a spin that I never had been in. Being an addict you never think of the damage that is done, the money spent, the things lost because nicotine did have me tied down. This has been the hardest thing that I have ever done in my life but by the grace of God “and an awesome wife” I have been given a chance once again to quit. I went thru the fog, the excruciating headaches, the crawling jaw, no sleep, no pooping, no eating, 2 months of the worst throat pain ever (which is still an issue) and anxiety/depression that I would never wish on anybody. Did the whole run to the doctors 3 times for 3 different meds that I never used. I was able to go 78 days before joining KTC. Typical male I can do this with no help. Wrong, when I joined and had people immediately reach out to me my life (and my wifes) got so much easier. We need people in our lives to help us even if they are mean and nasty. I have received answers and advice that no doctors could give. I have the utmost respect for all who have gone before and pray for those coming in. Nicotine is a life sucking drug which should be outlawed. Sorry its long but I would like anybody who reads this to understand that we are more alike then we think. Seek the Lord and you will find answers and receive strength to get you thru. I pray for every one of us as we will continue to battle our addiction. I, Thefranks5-Douglas, quit with each one of you today. Thank you to all who have reach out to me and may God bless each and every one of you as he has me.
