hey, I'm brian, I've been dipping for 8 years now, just got married bought a house and I've decided to try and stick around for awhile. I've tried gum and the patch with no real success, so this weekend I've decided to go cold. The wife is taking away all my access to $$, keys to my car, and she's driving me to work everyday. The one big problem I'm worried about is my temper and senses of depression, which is why I gave myself three days of only interacting with my wife. Will these mood changes ease up after three days, or do they come in cycles?
Hi Brian. Welcome.
That's an enviable helper you have, congratulations.
The answer to your question from my own experience is, "both". The worst will be over in about three days, and moods are cyclical.
I don't know if there's a scientific basis for saying so, but tobacco acts as a kind of depressant, leveling out my moods. I have fewer highs. I have fewer lows. For me, life without tobacco requires getting used to feeling more.
I've had many periods of abstinence during my decades of tobacco use, and fear of my temper is the most significant early obstacle. The following quote does not prevent me from being an ass, but it prevented me from deceiving myself into thinking I was the one who saw things reasonably but the world was going crazy:
Anger is the feeling that makes your mouth work faster than your mind - Evan Esar
I hope that's helpful.
Go to the June 2011 quit group and post roll. Do that every day. It's our way of keeping our commitment strong, by building accountability. Some other helpful folks will be along shortly, to help you get the most out of the site. Listen to what they have to say.
