Hello,
My name is Munky and I am one of the few female dippers. Not something I say with any pride. I have used for 10 years. I got started when I discovered my soon to be husband used and I thought I would be smart and convince him to quit in the dumbest way possible, "I will quit when you quit." Little did I know how HORRIBLE the addiction gets and how fast it happens. Before I knew it I was begging him to buy me my own can, then buying my own when he refused.
Fast forward through the love/hate relationship I had with Kodiak Wintergreen a few years and I was tired of it. I was bound and determined I was going to quit. I lasted about 15 hours before I broke. The second attempt about a year later was even more pathetic. The longer I was on it the more dependent I became. It got to the point where I would have it in 18 hours a day, only taking it out to put a fresh pinch in or to eat...then put a fresh pinch in.
My husband and I decided we would quit together, hoping it would be easier having someone do it with you. The 5 or 6 times we tried we didn't accomplish anything, besides us nearly ripping each others throats out.
About a month ago I finally had enough. I told my husband I would be quitting the following week and he had to take all the money, credit cards, and my keys to work with him every day. I knew from experience if I had a way to get tobacco I would get some. My original quit day was May 7th, 2015 but I didn't make it long before I slipped up. After I got my "fix" and got back into my right mind I threw it out and restarted, right then and there. the following day I made it a few hours longer, and once again I spit it out an restarted immediately. It took 4 days to finally get it through my head that I was actually quitting and I haven't touched the stuff since.
The first few days I had to trick myself by wetting tea leaves and putting them into an empty can and using it as my tobacco. I'm not gonna lie, it didn't really trick me but for some odd reason it actually helped. When I didn't have tea in my cheek I had a steady stream of wintergreen lifesavers popping into my mouth. I know I spent more money on lifesavers, junk food, and tea that first week than I would have spent on tobacco, and I'm sure i have gained about 20 lbs....but the symptoms are finally fading. The constant headache is almost completely gone. The need to have something in my mouth is finally starting to subside. The cravings, while still very much there, are manageable. My husband left a half used can home today and I am happy to report I didn't steal any. I thought about it....but I didn't. The only major complaint I have at this point is the multiple times I wake up at night. I usually sleep through the night, but the last week I can't go more than 2 hours without waking up. Its quite exhausting lol.
The good news is that my husband has also cut back, a lot. He went from using one a day to about 3 a week. He has been using for 19 years and is determined to quit before he hits 20...which is in a few months. I am hoping I can help him though his transition the way he has helped me through mine.
