Well, I made the decision today to quit. I've been here before, I quit 5 years ago, when the website was QS.org. Went to the HOF in Dec. 2005, and fell away from the website after that, since the quit was going so well. Didn't touch tobacco for 4 years, rarely even thought about it, until last year. Got a dip from someone at our 20 year class reunion, for old times. After that, I couldn't get it out of my head. Eventually bought some Redman for hunting, then started buying Skoal Bandits. Now it's 3 cans a week. Dumbest thing I've ever done, but it snuck up and got a hold of me again. Promised myself that I would quit for good before my 40th birthday this month. I'm glad that this site is running again to replace QS, as it would be a lot tougher to quit on my own, since nobody else knows I started chewing again. Good luck to all of you! I know it can be done, since I've done it before. The toughest part is denying that temptation that will hit you someday, maybe years down the road.
you were at a place we dream about... years down the road and free of the nic bitch. quitters remember we are never free. You will face the urge at anytime down the line. Always remember, YOU ARE TOO DAMN WEAK TO HANDLE EVEN ONE DIP. You the weak ass stupid shit that started dipping, you who justified it to your family, friends and tried to fool yourself.
Don't ever think you can do just one. Post, carry the contract, get a tattoo... whaterver it takes to remind yourself everyday.
We just had a brother cave in our sept 10 group.
appaloosa - cowboy up and post - keep your word and join the suck.
pm me if you need a contact. I'm a 30 year ex-dipper. I've been free for 150 days. I will not dip today. Today I am clean.
Yeah, it pisses me off to no end that I got myself back into this. I had no conscience cravings or thoughts about tobacco for years, and I mean years! (But, I did have the occasional dream about dipping, that never goes away.) Then some dumbass from high school (that I've always considered a dumbass) last summer offers me a dip of Kodiak when I'm drunk off my ass reliving the 80's at our reunion. Yeah, sure, just one for old time's sake, right? Since I haven't touched it for 4 years, there's no way one dip could get me hooked again, right?
Well, the nicotine triggered something in my brain, and it laid dormant for a few months. Had an occasional passing crave, but didn't think much about it. Then one night at the gas station had the urge to buy some Redman, then it slowly progressed to where I'm at now. At least I don't have the full on Kodiak addiction that I had before, it's just those fucking Skoal Bandits that are my new addiction. Seemed like having one once in a while wouldn't hurt, but it doesn't work that way. When you have the addiction in your brain, occasional use is only temporary. As stress levels increase and trigger activities happen, you find yourself using more and more, until you have one of those stupid little tea bag things in your cheek most of the day. And those little bastards are expensive! I'd pick up two cans on Friday to make sure I have enough to last through the weekend, and I'd be dropping close to $12! Fuck that!
Sinced my nicotine intake had been relatively moderate, I haven't had much for physical effects of withdrawl, and I didn't have much of that when I had quit before. For me, it's the triggering activities that I need to pay close attention to. Driving to work, riding horse, working cattle, etc. Nicotine hot wires your brain to lower your self confidence, to create your dependency. It's like the nicotine says "not so fast, you can't do that without me! You think you can move a 1500 lb. black angus bull without a Bandit in your cheek?" Well, I've done it before and I don't need tobacco's "help". Funny how we can convince ourselves to think such stupid shit. Using tobacco give me this sense that I'm not in control of my own life, and I fucking hate that!
Like everyone else, my primary reason to quit is concern for my long term health, and negative effects caused for my family. A wakeup call came last month when we took our 5 year old to the ear, nose, throat doctor for a tonsilectemy. As we sat in the room waiting for the doctor, I read some information about mouth throat cancer. The overwhelming thought I had when looking around the exam room was What the fuck are you going to do when your sitting in that chair someday and the doctor says you have cancer? All because you didn't have the balls to take control of your life and quit doing something that you know will kill you?
So why did I wait until yesterday to quit? I don't know. You tell yourself if you can just get through a few more things, you will quit when life slows down. Well, it never does. When I found this site yesterday morning, I knew it was time to quit, and quit immediately. That's the same way I quit before when I had found QS.org. Look at a few of the cancer photos and read the stories, then throw the can in the dumpster and sign up to post roll call.
I hope you always remember that no matter how long you have been tobacco free, you are only one dip away from starting the habit all over again. There can never be just one dip! Ever!
