My Introduction

[jabr]

***UPDATE 1 - DAY 7***

Based on the advice of someone wiser than me I am going to write out how and what I have been feeling, so that I may come to this (at a later date) and read it and remember how the nicotine made me feel. Unfortunately, I only found this site yesterday, so I am just going to throw a little background in there and pick up here.

This time with quitting I have been resisting the urge to drink (but have supplemented with 12 y/o bottle of Scotch in extreme circumstances) and it has made it incredibly difficult to sleep. I have been exercising (running and hiking in the National Park behind my house).

Anyhow, to describe how I feel: Soreness in my mouth / cheeks, dry / dehydrated, terrible headache - it switches from near my temples to the back of my head. Really saliva-y (is that a word?) like I am constantly producing saliva. And yes like I am in a fog / My cravings today are probably the worst since I quit - and I don't know why. I have bags of seeds and big red gum, but I keep reaching to my cargo pocket in my pants, I guess out of habit... Trying to slam as much water as possible, took some electrolyte tabs today and they seem to be helping as well.

Still feeling really motivated to uphold my promise that I made to the April quitters, and the guys who I am in contact with.

Has anyone taken Unisom or anything to help with sleep? Was thinking about hollering at the old lady to pick some up at the store today.

I highly recommend logging how your quit is progressing through your Intro. I did not and I don't remember details like I wish I did.

The sleep will come back. I slept 4-5 restless hours a night for the first 5-7 weeks. Then from about day 70-90 I couldn't get enough. Was sleeping like a rock for 9-10 hours a night. It finally leveled out.

I had the "saliva-y" too. Really strange. Last 50-60 days.

Congrats on the quit. Just keep grinding.

[Grizzlyhasclaws]

Welcome and enjoy the suck. Remember every sweet moment so you don't ever have to do this again. Savor every spectacular second of your crawling through this shit pipe to freedom.

Congrats.

I quit with you today.

[worktowin]

Sleep was very difficult, and it was a few weeks until I had a decent night of sleep. Even today, at day 42, my sleep is at about 85 percent of normal.

And I felt nauseated for the first several weeks. I just read at night, suffered, often had oatmeal for dinner (easy to digest---another common problem).

Just stick it out one day at a time, and know that it does get better, much better.

On a good note, your mouth is healing. For me, at about 2 weeks, I could taste more (and I began to appreciate just how bad the office coffee is).

Stay strong and stay active with KTC, my friend.

This is a great post. Look at the bullshit that nicotine put us through! Oatmeal for dinner... No sleep... Mouth sores...

Man it feels good to quit. One day at a time all of this will work itself out. In the meantime, doesn't it make you angry to read this stuff?!?!

[Stat]

Sleep was very difficult, and it was a few weeks until I had a decent night of sleep. Even today, at day 42, my sleep is at about 85 percent of normal.

And I felt nauseated for the first several weeks. I just read at night, suffered, often had oatmeal for dinner (easy to digest---another common problem).

Just stick it out one day at a time, and know that it does get better, much better.

On a good note, your mouth is healing. For me, at about 2 weeks, I could taste more (and I began to appreciate just how bad the office coffee is).

Stay strong and stay active with KTC, my friend.

[BAMF]

Congratulations, your body is healing after years of abuse and poisoning. Your sleep will come back, I think folks used that NyQuil ZZZZZZ stuff here as well. A week is bad ass!

Thanks Thumblewort, it helps to hear first hand from those who have successfully navigated the road before. I appreciate your time and words.

On another note - just got done reading The Story of Tom and Jenny Kern, wow any cravings I had are completely gone. Man, such a hard thing to read, and a prime example of why, when I was using tobacco regularly avoided stories of the sort - its too easy to put your head in the sand and carry on with what is easy. Just wish I would have read that earlier. My heart breaks for his wife and children, such a devastating poison.

If anyone reading this needs any sort of motivation to get you through a tough patch - go read that story. Anyhow, I read the first two yesterday and Tom and Jenny's today. It has helped to space those out and read them in times of weakness or doubt - at least for me...

Alright - take care y'all gotta commute home!

[Thumblewort]

Congratulations, your body is healing after years of abuse and poisoning. Your sleep will come back, I think folks used that NyQuil ZZZZZZ stuff here as well. A week is bad ass!

[BAMF]

***UPDATE 1 - DAY 7***

Based on the advice of someone wiser than me I am going to write out how and what I have been feeling, so that I may come to this (at a later date) and read it and remember how the nicotine made me feel. Unfortunately, I only found this site yesterday, so I am just going to throw a little background in there and pick up here.

This time with quitting I have been resisting the urge to drink (but have supplemented with 12 y/o bottle of Scotch in extreme circumstances) and it has made it incredibly difficult to sleep. I have been exercising (running and hiking in the National Park behind my house).

Anyhow, to describe how I feel: Soreness in my mouth / cheeks, dry / dehydrated, terrible headache - it switches from near my temples to the back of my head. Really saliva-y (is that a word?) like I am constantly producing saliva. And yes like I am in a fog / My cravings today are probably the worst since I quit - and I don't know why. I have bags of seeds and big red gum, but I keep reaching to my cargo pocket in my pants, I guess out of habit... Trying to slam as much water as possible, took some electrolyte tabs today and they seem to be helping as well.

Still feeling really motivated to uphold my promise that I made to the April quitters, and the guys who I am in contact with.

Has anyone taken Unisom or anything to help with sleep? Was thinking about hollering at the old lady to pick some up at the store today.

[Nolaq]

Hey Flatfoot, you are not here by accident, and you are not alone.

Your story has been told many, many times here. There are a shit-ton of LEO and LEO related members here, too.  Just stay out of the Politics thread. 'winker'

In any event, great job on week one. It was said earlier - This is going to suck, until it doesn't. Just keep coming back.

At one point, you posed the question - Do you just show up and post roll for your first 100 days, and that's it? 'finger point'

Quit today. That's all you gotta worry abour right now. Just today. Give us your word (which you have) and keep it today. Fuck everything else.

As to the 100 days part, well, that's a discussion for another time, maybe, but know this - no one is cured from this addiction. It is a daily fight. I encourage you to look at this community as your new, second home. No one in your life gets you like we do, and that's no shit. It doesn't take but a mere matter of minutes to post your promise, so continue to do that. While you're here, walk the halls. Check out other rooms. Exchange stories. You'll find some other crazy bastards tha you can connect with, I promise. Surround yourself with accountability so that you can NOT fail. That's the magic of this place. Before you know it, you'll be knocking on your 2nd, 3rd, 12th floor in no time.

Welcome to the best decision you ever made. Stay safe out there.

-Nolaq - Day 1,751

Nola, Thanks for the words and advice. I appreciate you taking the time. I am amazed at the support / wisdom / camaraderie I have already experienced on this site. It is something special and I am very lucky to have found this community.

Matt

You need anything, don't hesitate to shout. Just shoot me a PM. Not sure how savy you are, but click the PM button under my name. I didn't know dick about message boards when I showed up here.

[BAMF]

Hey Flatfoot, you are not here by accident, and you are not alone.

Your story has been told many, many times here. There are a shit-ton of LEO and LEO related members here, too. Just stay out of the Politics thread. 'winker'

In any event, great job on week one. It was said earlier - This is going to suck, until it doesn't. Just keep coming back.

At one point, you posed the question - Do you just show up and post roll for your first 100 days, and that's it? 'finger point'

Quit today. That's all you gotta worry abour right now. Just today. Give us your word (which you have) and keep it today. Fuck everything else.

As to the 100 days part, well, that's a discussion for another time, maybe, but know this - no one is cured from this addiction. It is a daily fight. I encourage you to look at this community as your new, second home. No one in your life gets you like we do, and that's no shit. It doesn't take but a mere matter of minutes to post your promise, so continue to do that. While you're here, walk the halls. Check out other rooms. Exchange stories. You'll find some other crazy bastards tha you can connect with, I promise. Surround yourself with accountability so that you can NOT fail. That's the magic of this place. Before you know it, you'll be knocking on your 2nd, 3rd, 12th floor in no time.

Welcome to the best decision you ever made. Stay safe out there.

-Nolaq - Day 1,751

Nola, Thanks for the words and advice. I appreciate you taking the time. I am amazed at the support / wisdom / camaraderie I have already experienced on this site. It is something special and I am very lucky to have found this community.

Matt

[Nolaq]

Hey Flatfoot, you are not here by accident, and you are not alone.

Your story has been told many, many times here. There are a shit-ton of LEO and LEO related members here, too. Just stay out of the Politics thread. 'winker'

In any event, great job on week one. It was said earlier - This is going to suck, until it doesn't. Just keep coming back.

At one point, you posed the question - Do you just show up and post roll for your first 100 days, and that's it? 'finger point'

Quit today. That's all you gotta worry abour right now. Just today. Give us your word (which you have) and keep it today. Fuck everything else.

As to the 100 days part, well, that's a discussion for another time, maybe, but know this - no one is cured from this addiction. It is a daily fight. I encourage you to look at this community as your new, second home. No one in your life gets you like we do, and that's no shit. It doesn't take but a mere matter of minutes to post your promise, so continue to do that. While you're here, walk the halls. Check out other rooms. Exchange stories. You'll find some other crazy bastards tha you can connect with, I promise. Surround yourself with accountability so that you can NOT fail. That's the magic of this place. Before you know it, you'll be knocking on your 2nd, 3rd, 12th floor in no time.

Welcome to the best decision you ever made. Stay safe out there.

-Nolaq - Day 1,751

[BAMF]

Matthew,
Welcome! You are right these are some very good "dudes." I am in law enforcement myself and have been for 23 years this January. I quit 12/24/12 and could not have done it without Worktowin and the gang. As cops we seem to let our non-police friends fade away and then from there we make few non cop friends along the way. Before you know it you are swimming in a sea of negativity. Chewing is probably engrained in everything you do from showering in the morning, to driving etc. I don't think I wrote a report for 20 years without a dip in. The few times I would try to quit, some prick co-worker would wave a can around under my nose before he took a pinch. I realize now this was his guilt not mine, but very disrespectful nonetheless. These guys aren't those guys. Always post roll and nobody said it would be easy. Expect a fight. It's a fight worth having though. Don't believe me? Next time you're tempted to take a dip, look your children in the eye. If you decide to take that dip, tell them the can is more important then them. I know its harsh but it is reality. Don't look down on the crackheads till you look deep within yourself. Advice? 1) post roll everyday 2) never get cocky 3) gum, seeds, fake 4) use your support group

Enough of that. If you EVER need anything or feel like you are going to cave, call me, pm me or Worktowin or the countless others on this board. They are now your brothers. I would say good luck but luck is for losers. GO WIN!

OB - Thanks for the words, and thank you for your service to this country and your community.

And it is true, I had a good laugh when I read about "no-police friends"- My wife is constantly on me about attending church and school functions, wanting to invite people over for dinner whom she has met.... I just wont do it...

I just flat out tell her that I simply can not relate to/with people out side of my comfort zone/social circle. It is terribly anti-social and I know it. It is also counter productive to quitting (anything) - off duty its time to drink beer and have a dip with others in our subculture.

I was reading life expectancy of healthy LEO's and it's not good, when you compound that with alcoholism and tobacco related illnesses, its down right rotten. Anyhow, fighting the demons one day (and one demon) at a time...

[ob15411]

Matthew,
Welcome! You are right these are some very good "dudes." I am in law enforcement myself and have been for 23 years this January. I quit 12/24/12 and could not have done it without Worktowin and the gang. As cops we seem to let our non-police friends fade away and then from there we make few non cop friends along the way. Before you know it you are swimming in a sea of negativity. Chewing is probably engrained in everything you do from showering in the morning, to driving etc. I don't think I wrote a report for 20 years without a dip in. The few times I would try to quit, some prick co-worker would wave a can around under my nose before he took a pinch. I realize now this was his guilt not mine, but very disrespectful nonetheless. These guys aren't those guys. Always post roll and nobody said it would be easy. Expect a fight. It's a fight worth having though. Don't believe me? Next time you're tempted to take a dip, look your children in the eye. If you decide to take that dip, tell them the can is more important then them. I know its harsh but it is reality. Don't look down on the crackheads till you look deep within yourself. Advice? 1) post roll everyday 2) never get cocky 3) gum, seeds, fake 4) use your support group

Enough of that. If you EVER need anything or feel like you are going to cave, call me, pm me or Worktowin or the countless others on this board. They are now your brothers. I would say good luck but luck is for losers. GO WIN!

[ERDVM]

Your name and young Quit has attracted some Legit BadAssMotherFuckedness. I like it. I wish my name did that. Give us another day mañana.

Vadge 'ninja'

[BAMF]

You have the attitude that is needed and are off to a great start. Don't worry about any day but today. Looking beyond the present leads to failure. It will suck until it doesn't.

"It will suck until it doesn't." Awesome! - love it. I think that sentence describes exactly what it means to quit (or at least a good summation of the physical/mental process). Thanks for the words man - it is appreciated.

Matt

[Wt57]

You have the attitude that is needed and are off to a great start. Don't worry about any day but today. Looking beyond the present leads to failure. It will suck until it doesn't.