Day 4

[Idaho Spuds]

Here's a question, for those who have long periods of nicotine "sobriety"; have you noticed a reduction in anxiety/depression from your dipping days?

You will see a theme here on KTC, it always gets better. Depression and anxiety hits everyone at different times. But as the days and months go by, it gets better.
A solid quitter BazookaJoe told me once when I was having a rough time, that I had to forgive myself and that you can't fix the past.

[Brick]

Jeff,

Congratulations on 8 days and welcome to the group.

I did not have anxiety but I did have rages that went into the 400 days. I varied my workouts but nothing seemed to help. That is all over now.

Sorry to be a downer but some of the terrible aspects of quitting you just have to embrace.

I have seen a number of folks write about anxiety on the forums so read on.

Here is my advice for a successful quit:

The main way to be successful is to just decide that you have quit. Once you stop the negotiating in your head as to whether you will do one more or not the rest becomes far more simple.

Next, you will learn to distract your attention from your desire for a dip to anything else that interests you. This ability to change your focus will guarantee your success and make your quit that much easier.

When you place a dip in your mouth, your brain releases sugars. Well, those sugars are now going to be gone.

However, you can replace them with OJ or other fruit juices with sugar. This will provide some comfort, especially in your initial quit days.

Make sure to exercise with weights and cardio when you feel that nagging tension in your muscles, you feel that rage, when you can not sleep and when you can not focus. Exercise really helps.

Here is one that most people overlook. Get at least 3 square meals a day. Hunger can really bring on those urges so squash those urges before they come. Eat full healthy meals and do not let yourself get excessively hungry. You will see this helps a great deal.

I waited until I was 59 quit after using tobacco for 40 years. You are wise to quit now.

I quit with you today. Dundippin - day 764.

Wow. That's incredible. Words like this are why I like this site so much. Getting a lot of inspiration around here. On day 6 myself. I told my wife, not too long ago, that if I could go a week without dip it would be a miracle.... Well, tomorrow will be a week. Can't believe it. Feeling great spiritually/emotionally. A lot of the initial symptoms are subsiding but still present. Starting to get some new, very strong symptoms I wasn't expecting but I keep hearing they are normal.

Heartburn, poor sleep, dry mouth, chapped lips, gums are KILLING me... strange these all start after you quit, sometimes.


Anyways, you couldn't pay me $100 to put a dip in. Excited to see where this journey goes.

[Dundippin]

Jeff,

Congratulations on 8 days and welcome to the group.

I did not have anxiety but I did have rages that went into the 400 days. I varied my workouts but nothing seemed to help. That is all over now.

Sorry to be a downer but some of the terrible aspects of quitting you just have to embrace.

I have seen a number of folks write about anxiety on the forums so read on.

Here is my advice for a successful quit:

The main way to be successful is to just decide that you have quit. Once you stop the negotiating in your head as to whether you will do one more or not the rest becomes far more simple.

Next, you will learn to distract your attention from your desire for a dip to anything else that interests you. This ability to change your focus will guarantee your success and make your quit that much easier.

When you place a dip in your mouth, your brain releases sugars. Well, those sugars are now going to be gone.

However, you can replace them with OJ or other fruit juices with sugar. This will provide some comfort, especially in your initial quit days.

Make sure to exercise with weights and cardio when you feel that nagging tension in your muscles, you feel that rage, when you can not sleep and when you can not focus. Exercise really helps.

Here is one that most people overlook. Get at least 3 square meals a day. Hunger can really bring on those urges so squash those urges before they come. Eat full healthy meals and do not let yourself get excessively hungry. You will see this helps a great deal.

I waited until I was 59 quit after using tobacco for 40 years. You are wise to quit now.

I quit with you today. Dundippin - day 764.

[Madcop94]

Congrats on your quit, for myself i'm on day 25 and its been up n down as far as anxiety and depression. Anxiety has started to ease up around day 15-17, but now since day 21 i have noticed that i'm a little more depressed but its not constant, my mood floats up and down during the day. What i did is kept a daily journal, at the end of everyday write down how you felt during the day. As the days go on you can actually see the progress you are making even when it feels like your not making any. Quit on brotha. 'na na'

[Caledonia Jeff]

I'm on day 8 of my quit thanks to all of you for the support!

I think that I did my "roll call" correctly.

The craziest thing now is all of the psychological triggers - I am flabbergasted by how many "mental excuses" I made to justify dipping.

The worst one was yesterday - the Mrs. and I had a minor spat...man oh man did I want to have a dip - I realized that down inside it is simply a stupid passive aggressive way to say "F You" which did nothing but harm me.

So I made myself useful and went to visit a friend in the hospital who is recovering from a heart transplant - that got my mind off dipping.

I have noticed that I've gained some weight - it appears that nicotine cessation causes water retention in the short term - makes sense as the body is reacting to withdrawal and retaining water to mitigate inflammation; plus I have noticed that I have more of a craving for sweets.

Here's a question, for those who have long periods of nicotine "sobriety"; have you noticed a reduction in anxiety/depression from your dipping days?

Thanks again fellow warriors.

To another 24 hours and just saying "no" to dip right now.

[Caledonia Jeff]

Thanks for the words of wisdom and experience brothers.

On day 5 of my quit, I had to take my wife to her physician - which is a 50+ minute drive by expressway.

Guess what I didn't die! lol

I can do this! One small step - and the fear  anxiety melted away like the bogey man it was.

[JMckay]

How's it going lots of great advice from quitters on here. Don't give up you only take it on one day at a time cause that's all you promised. It get much better but you have to put in the time in. I still use fake dip dailey but even that is starting to fade away some.

[Dundippin]

Make sure you eat three square meals a day. My craves were the worst when I was hungry.

Drink fruit juice. When you place a dip in your mouth, your brain releases sugars. Well, those sugars are now going to be gone.

However, you can replace them with OJ or other fruit juices with sugar. This will provide some comfort, especially in your initial quit days.

Have plenty of snacks nearby.

Learn to distract your brain. When you start getting the craves force your mind to think about something else. That is key.

Get plenty of exercise.

I quit with you today.

Dundippin - day 760

[BrianG]

Pay at the pump for Gas. Dont even go inside to piss...use a rest stop if possible
Get the gas and get the heck out of there.

Load up on everything you will need before you leave on your journey.

Have phone numbers of other quitters to talk you off the ledge if need be.

You can do this!!! you are not controlled by a weed anymore!!!

Proud to quit with you!!!

My number is in your inbox...Use it!!

[devil6dog]

Like RDB said do what ever it takes. Go get sunflower seeds with minimal salt if possible. You can use fake dip like smokey mountain, I think walfart carries it. drink LOTS of water it will help cravings. At the end of the day just don't use no matter what.

You can do this

[RDB]

Find an alternative - gum, seeds, fake dip, hard candy.

At the end, youÂ’ll have to tough it out. Quitting sucks until it doesnÂ’t.

Most importantly- post roll in the January group. ThatÂ’s your price of admission around here.

[Caledonia Jeff]

Good morning fellow fighters.

I'm on Day 4 of my quit after 30+ years of nicotine use - primarily dip sometimes cigarettes.

Day 2 was the monster when I had to "hug the cactus"; particularly around the 40 hour - 44 hour mark. I didn't think I was going to make it. I'm not going to lie, it was a motherf#cker. After that experience I don't want to go through that again.

My question to my fellow warriors: driving is a major trigger for me. At times, work requires that I drive longer distances - 3-5 hours expressway type driving. Does anyone have suggestions on how to deal with this? This scenario is actually causing panic attacks when I start to think about it.

Thanks.