My name is WashedUp and I have lied to myself for the last 9+ years. I've always convinced myself that I can stop whenever I want. I'm not addicted. I just choose to keep doing it. It's not a big deal. I would tell myself "I'll quit when I get married" (almost 3 years ago). "I'll quit when I have kids" (first child soon to turn 1). I've been lying to myself and I can't do it anymore.
I started dipping while in college. Hectic senior year with student teaching, finals, graduation, and the real world on the horizon. I had dipped a few times prior to then (first one when I was 12 - turning 30 shortly), but this was the start of my addiction. I started working outdoors at a golf course after college - and that's when it turned into a full blown addiction. Like many here - the convenience of being able to dip while at work makes it tough to stop once you've started. It helped pass the time. It helped keep me focused on what I was supposed to be doing. It helped me socialize with the guys I worked with.
Lately, I sit there and watch my son play and I start to feel guilty. Guilty that I'm so selfish that I would put my health in jeopardy to the point where I won't see my son play his first baseball game, his first dance, his first date, getting his driver's license, his graduation from high school and college, his wedding, the birth of his children, etc., etc., etc. That guilt drives me to feel stressed and drives me right back to my old pal, dip.
My daily routine: I wake up and shower and drive to work (dip). I teach a few classes and have my planning period (dip). I have a few more classes then lunch period (dip). I finish the school day and go to l practice of whatever sport I happen to be coaching that season. Drive home (dip). Dinner and put my son to bed. Watch some TV and wife goes to bed (dip). Repeat. Summer is harder because I find excuses to leave the house "Oh I have to run to Lowe's" or "I'm going to go get ice cream". All excuses to go have a dip instead of being at home with my son. And it makes me so mad at myself. I can't lie to myself anymore. I can't do it alone. I need help. I need support.
I've tried to quit in the past - but they were half hearted efforts. At the first sign of struggle - I'd go back to old faithful - dip.
Well - I can't do it anymore. I can't live with the anxiety of always being afraid that cancer is currently growing in my mouth and I have no idea. I can't live with the thought of having to tell my son, wife, family, friends, etc. that I'm going to die because of my selfishness. I look at my life and I'm so lucky to have a wonderful family (parents, siblings, wife, in-laws, child) and I choose everyday to put myself one day closer to death.
Just want to introduce myself - hoping to be active around here and not have to go through it alone.
Thank you.