28 years on Skoal is over!

[Greg5280]

Nicotine Junkie

Are you a nicotine junkie? The one attribute that shows the addictive nature of nicotine is not how hard or how easy it is to quit. The frightening true property that shows the power of this addiction is that no matter how long a person is off nicotine, one puff or one dip and the once dormant reward pathways are again awake and the addict reborn. Sadly for many this “one” throws them back into the bonds of slavery and keeps them there again for years, sometimes for life. The average addict musters the confidence to challenge their addiction about once every three years, at which time roughly 1 in 20 will succeed in breaking free for an entire year.

Don't ever try to prove to yourself that you were not addicted. You were addicted to nicotine all of the years you used it and you are addicted to it today too. The difference is as an ex-nicotine user the addiction becomes asymptomatic. The pain of quitting fades, the reward “ahs” diminish, and the body and mind move on. To keep it that way and to always stay in control of your quit, remember to NEVER re-introduce nicotine into your body in any shape or form.

There is no “one” !!

[tarpon17]

Exactly, day to day. Quit today, worry about tomorrow, tomorrow. Read up on Hall of Fame speeches, you won't be disappointed.

[skymuscle83]

Skymuscle...great to see you on day 20. I'm on day 83 and after Thirty years of the copenshit, I'm feeling better than ever. You need to stay wary every day. I've quit for several months before then got together with buds and thought, "well, one weekend of dipping won't hurt"...It took me another 15 years before I was able to quit for good.

Well I'm taking your advice and everyone's advice on here and holding close to me because I know what addiction is. My father is a recovering alcoholic and drug addict and it runs in my family. So I stay away from booze and dope but never thought the nic would get me. But that dip grabbed on and didn't want to let go. believe me my friend I felt so horrible after stopping with the depression and mood swings I never ever want to go back to dip. I even kept a journal to help remind me if I ever get that urge again to remind myself to stay away.

[TootsiePopAddict]

Skymuscle...great to see you on day 20. I'm on day 83 and after Thirty years of the copenshit, I'm feeling better than ever. You need to stay wary every day. I've quit for several months before then got together with buds and thought, "well, one weekend of dipping won't hurt"...It took me another 15 years before I was able to quit for good.

[skymuscle83]

good job skymuscle. just reaffirm your quit every day, because that temptation is always in front of you with your coworkers!

Thank you very much! I'm now on day 20 today and I still have zero urge to want to dip again. I'm very thankful I only dipped for 7 months like many ppl who have been dipping for years. People at work and a few buddies like to ask me if I want one but I just say hey now you know I don't do that anymore. I've been having these dip dreams though bad. I can't seem to shake them. What's weird is that the thought of dipping doesn't even pop into my mind during the day then at night I'll have one dip dream after another. But anyway I reaffirm my quit everyday of my life from here on out. I'm so thankful to god for the strength and your guys support as well for the words of encouragement to stay the quit for good.

[Admanc]

I had the same experience as you, kmo. My wife blessed me with a baby boy who was completely unexpected (as I am 39 years old and we weren't planning on it). Just like you, I had to get the life insurance physical approved...and to do that, I forced myself off of nicotine for 4 days. After 24 years of chewing half a can a day, spending 4 days without it was a living hell. Once I took the exam, I asked myself "Why on earth would I want to go back there?" My health and my future is too important to me to continue to use that nasty shit. Yes, each day is still a struggle, and you are farther along than me (I'm only on day 19), but I'm pleased to hear that your motivation was the same as mine. Stay quit, brother!

[segelhoff]

good job skymuscle. just reaffirm your quit every day, because that temptation is always in front of you with your coworkers!

I am on day 8 and so far the quit is doing good i have a few withdrawals a day but it is better than most I have heard. I feel lucky that I feel good. I hardly think about it now and the more I read about it the more mad I get not to ever put it in my face again. This website is a good source of information and the people are great to help when you need that extra push. I congrats to everyone who is staying quit. One day at a time is what it takes to say no more nic bitch, you not coming in today or ever.

Thanks all,

Eagle out!!!! :rolleyes:

[sts]

good job skymuscle. just reaffirm your quit every day, because that temptation is always in front of you with your coworkers!

[skymuscle83]

I Dipped for 7 months and although I didn't dip for as long as many of the people on here I can say that it was pretty damn tough to stop at all. I too only dipped skoal and red seal when a buddy had a can and would always bum a dip off me they'd say no take one I always get one from you so I did. But this is day 14 for me and the first few days on the quit I felt like hammered dog shit. Depression and irritation was very intense for me. The depression was really so overwhelming I cried on my lunch break at work for no reason just started crying. Then I felt better and better besides super dry mouth that hit me. Now day 14 I feel a ton better. I still have some trouble sleeping but it's getting better slowly. Irritation still hits me sometimes but I just find a positive outlet and I'm good. I use a lot of sunflower seeds and one thing I have found is Cinnamon sticks that help tremendously. they are good for you and help curb cravings. I highly suggest people to try them for your quit. What is weird when I say cravings I know my brain or body is missing the dip but I don't even think about dipping anymore. Its my brain just craving a fix for something. Since I work construction I'm around guys dipping all day everyday and to most ppl on the quit that'd be very tough. To me it really isn't being around it. It's like my brain flipped a switch and I can't stand to even look at it or smell it now. Although I only dipped for 7 months I'm sooo happy that I stopped in my short time before I allowed that 7 months to turn into years and years of it. I just want to tell ppl that read this that I feel truely blessed that I quit and god willing will stay quit for good. It is truely a nasty habit and So happy i made the decision.

[duvallp]

KMO1217,
Post roll with us in February. I've been clean since 10/26 so I can relate with how you feel. Your quit brothers can help stay chew free. Every day is a battle and you don't have to fight it alone.
Pat

[jcook]

One day at a time my brother, one day at a time. Quit for you. One of the side benefits is that this is one of the greatest presents you can give your little girl. Proud to be quit with ya!

[Greg5280]

KMO,
Many here had the addiction for 20+ years. We all get up each day and re-affirm our promise not to use. I have done that daily now for 427 days. Still works every time I do it.

It will get better. Just wake up each day and promise us all not to use for that day.

Anyone can quit for just one day right ??

[HKS]

28 years, wow, I had 19 years of slowly killing myself.
Stay quit and do it for you.
Don't look back.
Live in the present and aim for the future.
God bless in your quit. :D

[kmo1217]

I'm sure most of you guys made a point to quit at certain waypoints in your life - maybe marriage, the birth of a child, or god forbid, somthing wrong with the inside of the cheek.
My trigger was a beautiful baby girl that I doubted would ever happen. Yes, I am one of those late in life Dads that we thought it would never happen. Being a good daddy, I increased the life insurance. Wouldn't you know, they called me in for an insurance physical. I'm in pretty good shape but the thought of nic in the system affecting my little girl's possibility of a decent life destroyed me. My Dad died very young as a NYC firefighter so my family knows first hand the benefits of thinking ahead.
Well, using Hooch and Smokey Mountain saved me. I've been off for 2 months. May not seem like much to the Vets on here but within 30 mins of waking up, I needed the fatty.
Godspeed to all, please reach out if you have any questions.
K