My Name is Tom.I am Married 30 years with 1 Daughter.
I am 22 days into my quit and finally navigating the site with the help of my new friends. I must say this quit has not been easy but much better than before with the help of so many. On to my Intro.....
I am 56 years old and have been chewing or dipping since I was 14 when my Grandfather first turned me on to it while working in his garden. As an athlete playing baseball through my high school years my addiction worsened. After high school and college I had a career in professional and collegiate baseball that lasted 30 years as an umpire.
They banned tobacco from the baseball field at the collegiate level and I ended my career shortly after.
I have been involved in politics in my community for over 25 years as a Mayor, Town Supervisor, and County Legislator.....never missing meetings or a dip during those meetings. In my real life outside of baseball and politics I worked for UPS for many years as a driver and for the last 15 years have represented those workers in our International Brotherhood of Teamsters Union as an Officer.
Again, never missing a meeting or a dip.....I have often thought about quitting and actually have stopped a few times...once for over 6 years and caving 3 years ago.
Last NY Eve afternoon at around 4:30 I was driving home after stopping for a few glasses of wine with the co workers....as I was putting a dip in slow moving traffic and steering with my elbow I rear ended a vehicle. Was charged with DWI and other tickets.
Had to have that dip! I quit 22 days ago....some of my ballbuster friends have been trying to get me to cave and have offered me a dip on several occasions.....Finally after the hundredth time I said sure what the heck! He gave me his open can and I dumped it in the snow! He cried like a baby but he won't ask again.
To that end this quit feels so much different. I have never had this type of support before. Thank you to all those who have reached out and exchanged digits and to all those future friends I am going to meet!
Quack Quit (Tom)