try #4

[Jmcgee653]

100 days came and went without a party or without fireworks. There were no parades and no accolades in the local news paper. People didnt stop on their morning commutes to watch me walk down the street.

This is what I have gathered from living tobacco free for the last, 107 days:

(1) A lot of people live tobacco free. I am now one of them.

(2) I dont feel like an outsider around my friends who dont use tobacco. No gross habit, no spitting, no spit bottles.

(3) I would like to feel like I had really accomplished something great in my life, but I dont feel that way. I feel like I ended an era of my life marked by an addiction to nicotine. I am now back to normal. Back to the way life is supposed to be without the abuse of a substance.

(4) A lot of people do care about your tobacco quit, even if it is on social media. If you need support, reach out to the masses, someone is ALWAYS in the same boat, and its probably someone you know.

(5) People have their mind made up of what works and what doesnt. I made my mind up to quit and did. period. Method, style points, all that crap doesnt matter. The end result is what matters.

(6) Last but not least: the sun continues to come up every day. With or without tobacco, life goes on. YOU CHOOSE THE LIFE.

---Its not pain if you teach your mind to call it intensity.---

[Jmcgee653]

Today has me really fired up on here today. Im going to try to lay it out on here in "private" as best I know how.

I feel like addiction, while begins with a choice, eventually rewires our brains to activate the reward, pleasure centers when we use. That is true with nicotine, alcohol, soda, porn, violence, etc. It can be different for anyone in a wide array of fixations. Upon quitting, your brain has to be re-wired. It takes a bit of work as evidenced by the fog the first few days. Your brain is confused as to why it feels like it does without its fix.

Once that rewiring has started, its up to you to continue with the process. Addictive personality traits are generational. A lot of guys who enter these rooms after being quit for a year or more and proclaim that they are an addict, I would be willing to bet that there are people in their family that struggle with addiction as well. I do not have those traits in my family. I had an uncle that dipped for a while and just laid it down. Never struggled after the initial fog. There arent any alcoholics in my family, no drug users. I dont say that as a way of bragging more than an illustration of the absence of addictive personality traits.

Looking back, I am more than willing to say that I had an addiction but I am no longer an addict. I will liken it to my salvation in Christ. Im no longer a sinner. My sin is forgiven. I am the righteousness of God through Christ Jesus, I am a new creation: the old man has been cast off and the new has come. That doesnt leave room for my flesh, for my sin. Sure, I was a sinner. Im no longer a sinner. I am a child of God. I choose to look at my addiction to tobacco the same way. It was a season of my life that is no longer existent.

I know what the alcohol and drug groups all say: once an addict, always an addict. Thats not what the bible teaches therefore I do not choose to adopt that theology. Im going to lean on Jesus' teaching concerning my past.

Now, as Paul taught, just cause Im under Grace doesnt mean that I can go on sinning just so grace can increase. I have to make a choice to not partake in tobacco. But I refuse to be defined by my past mistake and addiction. Moving forward. Running the race with a prize in mind, not like those that run aimlessly.

Bro... you're a tad askew on your whole philosophy here.

Your theology is waaay off but this isn't the forum for it.

This, however, is... Always. An. Addict.
You can't just turn it off. Ever.
You're never cured. You can manage it... but you can never erase it.

Well, I shall continue to believe my philosophy. It works for me. Maybe not for you, but for me it does.

I learned something today talking about a superiority complex when it comes to food and making better food choices. When you eat crappy things that come from a processing plant and stuffed in a bag, it almost as if youre eating cold, dead food that someone else prepared and left for you to scavenger over. When you make good, whole, nutritional food choices and prepare them yourself, its almost a warrior, hunter/gatherer mindset. You chose it, you made it, you ate it and youre better and healthier for it.

I tend to view tobacco the same way. Ive become very conscious of everything that goes into my body. Now that I have removed my self from that addiction and can look back on it with clear hindsight, a slight, yet silent superiority complex really doesnt hurt anything. If every time I see someone who is dipping, instead of thinking, Oh my, I remember those days, Ive changed my thinking to, Man, Im glad Im not destroying my body with that stuff anymore. Im not addicted to the stuff. Now, if I picked it back up and started it again, absolutely, I would be addicted to it once again. I will not live out the entirety of my life living the lie of "Im an addict." I once was addicted, sure. I could be addicted again, but now, I refuse to be addicted to anything and will live my life accordingly.

[AppleJack]

Today has me really fired up on here today. Im going to try to lay it out on here in "private" as best I know how.

I feel like addiction, while begins with a choice, eventually rewires our brains to activate the reward, pleasure centers when we use. That is true with nicotine, alcohol, soda, porn, violence, etc. It can be different for anyone in a wide array of fixations. Upon quitting, your brain has to be re-wired. It takes a bit of work as evidenced by the fog the first few days. Your brain is confused as to why it feels like it does without its fix.

Once that rewiring has started, its up to you to continue with the process. Addictive personality traits are generational. A lot of guys who enter these rooms after being quit for a year or more and proclaim that they are an addict, I would be willing to bet that there are people in their family that struggle with addiction as well. I do not have those traits in my family. I had an uncle that dipped for a while and just laid it down. Never struggled after the initial fog. There arent any alcoholics in my family, no drug users. I dont say that as a way of bragging more than an illustration of the absence of addictive personality traits.

Looking back, I am more than willing to say that I had an addiction but I am no longer an addict. I will liken it to my salvation in Christ. Im no longer a sinner. My sin is forgiven. I am the righteousness of God through Christ Jesus, I am a new creation: the old man has been cast off and the new has come. That doesnt leave room for my flesh, for my sin. Sure, I was a sinner. Im no longer a sinner. I am a child of God. I choose to look at my addiction to tobacco the same way. It was a season of my life that is no longer existent.

I know what the alcohol and drug groups all say: once an addict, always an addict. Thats not what the bible teaches therefore I do not choose to adopt that theology. Im going to lean on Jesus' teaching concerning my past.

Now, as Paul taught, just cause Im under Grace doesnt mean that I can go on sinning just so grace can increase. I have to make a choice to not partake in tobacco. But I refuse to be defined by my past mistake and addiction. Moving forward. Running the race with a prize in mind, not like those that run aimlessly.

Bro... you're a tad askew on your whole philosophy here.

Your theology is waaay off but this isn't the forum for it.

This, however, is... Always. An. Addict.
You can't just turn it off. Ever.
You're never cured. You can manage it... but you can never erase it.

[Jmcgee653]

Today has me really fired up on here today. Im going to try to lay it out on here in "private" as best I know how.

I feel like addiction, while begins with a choice, eventually rewires our brains to activate the reward, pleasure centers when we use. That is true with nicotine, alcohol, soda, porn, violence, etc. It can be different for anyone in a wide array of fixations. Upon quitting, your brain has to be re-wired. It takes a bit of work as evidenced by the fog the first few days. Your brain is confused as to why it feels like it does without its fix.

Once that rewiring has started, its up to you to continue with the process. Addictive personality traits are generational. A lot of guys who enter these rooms after being quit for a year or more and proclaim that they are an addict, I would be willing to bet that there are people in their family that struggle with addiction as well. I do not have those traits in my family. I had an uncle that dipped for a while and just laid it down. Never struggled after the initial fog. There arent any alcoholics in my family, no drug users. I dont say that as a way of bragging more than an illustration of the absence of addictive personality traits.

Looking back, I am more than willing to say that I had an addiction but I am no longer an addict. I will liken it to my salvation in Christ. Im no longer a sinner. My sin is forgiven. I am the righteousness of God through Christ Jesus, I am a new creation: the old man has been cast off and the new has come. That doesnt leave room for my flesh, for my sin. Sure, I was a sinner. Im no longer a sinner. I am a child of God. I choose to look at my addiction to tobacco the same way. It was a season of my life that is no longer existent.

I know what the alcohol and drug groups all say: once an addict, always an addict. Thats not what the bible teaches therefore I do not choose to adopt that theology. Im going to lean on Jesus' teaching concerning my past.

Now, as Paul taught, just cause Im under Grace doesnt mean that I can go on sinning just so grace can increase. I have to make a choice to not partake in tobacco. But I refuse to be defined by my past mistake and addiction. Moving forward. Running the race with a prize in mind, not like those that run aimlessly.

[Jmcgee653]

Today is day 40.

I forgot to post roll one day. And I cant say that Im terribly upset about it. I think about snuff more when Im on this site than when Im living my life.

There is a big conversation going on in the PRE-HOF april group cause some dude got butt hurt over some terminology used when another guy had a craving. endless negative feedback loop.

I have such a hard time connecting with this group for that reason. I have no desire to be in that situation. I am approaching 10 years out of highschool and i left drama there. My wife and I dont do drama, i dont do it with work, and Im damn sure not going to participate in it in a voluntary forum. I just dont see the benefit of dealing with it.

There's no changing it though. Its been that way and it will remain. The site has a great meaning but people want to log in and see who's dick is biggest. No need for all that crap. Grow up guys. Support each other and live on.

[Jmcgee653]

Ending the first month of being tobacco/nicotine free!

It has gone surprisingly easy here of late. The weather has been great for January. Ran a little over 3 miles after church, then went on a 5 mile mountain bike ride with some buddies. When youre around people that dont use tobacco, it makes not using that much easier. I dont even think about it for long chunks of time like 4-5 hours between thoughts.

I dont think Ive had any real cravings lately. I used some Smokey mountain pouches last night while I was working a fatality car wreck here in town. It was the first pouches I had used in about 2 weeks.

Beginning month #2: I look forward to getting it behind me and putting more distance between my nicotine days and me!

[Jmcgee653]

Day 20 almost a wrap.

I spent a lot of the day on the road for work. Came home, changed clothes and ran a couple miles. Ive dove head first into the fitness world because my cravings dont exist while Im working out.

I really feel like the only times I think about snuff is when Im in this forum. I havent had the rage and the mood swings that come with it normally. Ive even talked with my wife about it and she said that I havent been hard to deal with. (so thats a plus.)

My sunflower seed package total has ballooned to 4 small packages. I tend to eat a bunch of em while I drive for work. helps pass the time and keep me awake.

All in all, the quit seems to be going well. Looking forward to the 30 day mark.

[southgafarmer]

day 16. Feeling great! Sleeping much, much better. Making it to the weekend and into the 2 week mark feels like a small "win."

Worked another shooting yesterday and was standing around with a bunch of cops that were dipping. I've learned to go prepared for a craving if Im going to be in a situation where I might want a dip, always have an alternative. I havent used any of my Smokey Mountain Pouches in 3-4 days but when I left my house headed to the scene, I took them with me. Sure enough, during some down time, standing around talking with the cops, I got the urge, fought it a little while, then slipped in a pouch of the fake stuff for a little bit, realized it really wasnt that fun and got rid of it after about 20 mins.

Another successful day in my book. working toward the 3 week goal. winning each day at a time.

Glad things are getting better for you brother. You've got this!

I quit with you today!

'oh yeah'

[Jmcgee653]

If you're a coffee fan give the major league coffee/ cowboy coffee dip a try calories are minimal to work with diet and will help with the late night driving. Also if you're more of a pouch guy Grindz coffee pouches are decent with a more colorful flavor.
Good luck

thanks for the advice brother. I just looked up Grinds.

I see the price of $11 for 3 cans and just cant bring myself to spend that. Even though I woulda spent that for 2 cans of snuff... lol I dont think I need it that bad. Taking steps to break the oral habit as well. Ive REALLY enjoyed drinking my coffee just whenever I want without watering my dip down, or tasting something my wife is cooking. Used to, I would have a good dip in and wouldnt try what she was cooking. I feel quite free from it now.

[Jmcgee653]

day 16. Feeling great! Sleeping much, much better. Making it to the weekend and into the 2 week mark feels like a small "win."

Worked another shooting yesterday and was standing around with a bunch of cops that were dipping. I've learned to go prepared for a craving if Im going to be in a situation where I might want a dip, always have an alternative. I havent used any of my Smokey Mountain Pouches in 3-4 days but when I left my house headed to the scene, I took them with me. Sure enough, during some down time, standing around talking with the cops, I got the urge, fought it a little while, then slipped in a pouch of the fake stuff for a little bit, realized it really wasnt that fun and got rid of it after about 20 mins.

Another successful day in my book. working toward the 3 week goal. winning each day at a time.

[J_Nikolaus]

If you're a coffee fan give the major league coffee/ cowboy coffee dip a try calories are minimal to work with diet and will help with the late night driving. Also if you're more of a pouch guy Grindz coffee pouches are decent with a more colorful flavor.
Good luck

[Cornholio]

That's how you do it! Take what you need. And for what it's worth....it helps a lot to leave something too. Your posts here and in April mean something. Don't stop that. You may elicit a douchbaggery, but you seem to be a person who feels the way they feel. Simply put. It helps to strengthen those beliefs when you have to argue them.

It also helps to consider...even for a moment...the other view. A view from somebody who has not only quit, but has seen may quitters fail and their beliefs which they stood behind.

Treating this addiction as something less than what it is is a good example. Your points are good. Especially when you relate to pushing 400lbs. Their points are good too. Just need to have some respect for that weight or you'll get hurt and you need to have some respect for this quit because you'll very likely find yourself in the future not being afraid dip. And there will be times when you need to fear it. Although I can tell you first hand....fear is not what will feed a long term quit. At least not for all. Some will have the luxury of having fear as a motivator for the rest of their lives. Maybe its health related. I live in fear of finding bottom again through drug/alcohol addiction. I believe that fear is real and strong enough to last a life time.

Stay and watch with a level of curiousness if nothing else. Watch our brothers and wait to see who stays and who goes. You'll learn some things along the way from those who go and those who stay. I hope you learn some things from me and I hope to learn some things from you.

[Nomore1959]

A lot of truth there brother. If you treat every day like that, you're going to do great.

So does that mean you're going to post roll every day now?
Don't let others come into April and take away your quit man. And don't treat roll call like it's optional. Like you can post if you think it's important, but not have to post if you don't think it's important.

There's a lot of truth there. There's also a lot of space between posting and quitting too.

I will make every attempt to post or have someone post for me everyday. Im learning that there are a lot of keyboard warriors around these here parts. Need to just take that I need and go on. I have a really hard time shutting my mouth when someone is being a douchebag.

You are posting very interesting things here... the daily hill makes lots of sense to me. Posting roll may seem monotonous but the hills are not -- you focus us on being ready for today's hill. Thank you for that.

Don't worry about mouthing off to douchebags, just don't get obsessed with them.

[Jmcgee653]

A lot of truth there brother. If you treat every day like that, you're going to do great.

So does that mean you're going to post roll every day now?
Don't let others come into April and take away your quit man. And don't treat roll call like it's optional. Like you can post if you think it's important, but not have to post if you don't think it's important.

There's a lot of truth there. There's also a lot of space between posting and quitting too.

I will make every attempt to post or have someone post for me everyday. Im learning that there are a lot of keyboard warriors around these here parts. Need to just take that I need and go on. I have a really hard time shutting my mouth when someone is being a douchebag.

[Cornholio]

A lot of truth there brother. If you treat every day like that, you're going to do great.

So does that mean you're going to post roll every day now?
Don't let others come into April and take away your quit man. And don't treat roll call like it's optional. Like you can post if you think it's important, but not have to post if you don't think it's important.

There's a lot of truth there. There's also a lot of space between posting and quitting too.