This has to happen

[Derk40]

Just wanted to let my August Brethren know that today was a good day. The first 2 days of summer had left me rather depressed. I am really not sure why. It was probably the normal pressure we all feel to have a good time on Memorial day weekend. This is a huge weekend here in the "land of pleasant living"...Maryland. Crabs, Natty Boh's, Bohtini's, and in our family, the college lacrosse national championship weekend. I have played for the better part of my 53 years, all of my daughters have played, and of course all of their boyfriends have played. Well this year MD has the honor of hosting both the mens and woman's final four. So Saturday I was to meet my oldest daughter and her boyfriend at Ravens Stadium for the MD vs Notre Dame game. A number of family friends have kids on both teams. It's sunny, 72 degrees...what could be more perfect. Well I was fucking dreading it. Most guys, from my generation of lacrosse ,dip. Fucking UST would give the team as many tins as we wanted for free. "Skoal Brother" thats what the the ad's said. Unlike smoking which had started to become a bit stigmatized, dipping was cool...something to be enjoyed together. And together we enjoyed. Every guy on the team bus would have a fatty in. I don't know how many of those dudes still chew, but I do know that those who live around here sure do. I have played on the same "over 35" team since the day I turned 35. Every one of us dip. Lawyers,Doctors, Salesman, Small business owners, they all still chew. Now if you do not think that is an addicting drug, you are smoking crack. And addicting drugs means addicts and that is where I come in. I just could not fathom myself throwing back beers with old friends and not share a dip with them. I still can't see myself ever doing anything again without a dip in and that fucking sucks. Luckily my daughter called and said the traffic was horrific, so I opted to catch the game on TV. As much as I love lacrosse, I could not even sit still to watch it on TV. My wife is not a fan of the game and since I was barely watching, she opted to go binge watch whatever she is watching. So I grabbed the dog and went fishing. I literally pounded a tin of Smokey Mountain in 2 hours. It was as close to normal as I have felt in 17 days. But I felt like I was missing something..."yeah it's called life you dickhead"

So Sunday rolls around, it's like groundhog day, except it's the Woman's final. Same exact dickhead move by yours truly. I end up fishing with the dog and missing another day of life. Since the MD woman had won the finals and the MD men had lost on Sat., nobody was going to the mens finals. I kind of felt relieved. No pressure today. I got up at first light and fished a spot about 1000 yards from my dock. It was like I was seeing the world for the first time, the fucking sunrise was unreal. I could still see my house from the boat and just felt happy to be alive. My beautiful wife was cancer free and I was crave free. Picked up a nice Striper, snapped a pic of me and the fish, and tossed her over. We are still getting used to being empty nesters, so it was a nice surprise when my youngest showed up a day early from college for the summer. She arrived home around 7 pm and immediately asked me if I wanted to hit the water for the last hour of light. Things were slow for the first half hour as we caught up. Finally things turned on and she picked up a nice 26 inch Rock on a topwater plug. I don't care what age your are, a topwater slam will make your heart stop, so we were both pumped.We continued talking and I soon picked up one in the same class. We only practice CPR (Catch, Photo, Release), so Gracie instinctively grabbed the camera and that's when my heart stopped again when she said "wait..dad...you have not been chewing". As she snapped the photo, she said to me "you know dad, thats the first picture I have ever seen of you with a fish and no fat lip". My 20 year old daughter has never seen me without a dip in. Xmas, Birthdays, ballgames, fishing, all altered in some way by that bus ride 33 years ago when I was a punk Laxbro of 20. Well I say fuck you UST, I will quit again tomorrow.

Sounds like you are living life to me brother! Great moment with your daughter on the water. Many more of those to come. Keep doing whatever you need to do today to stay quit. If it takes skipping lacrosse for now then so be it. Fishing with the dog ain't a bad trade off.

ODAAT. You are winning today. Quit with you all day long!

[laxdog]

Just wanted to let my August Brethren know that today was a good day. The first 2 days of summer had left me rather depressed. I am really not sure why. It was probably the normal pressure we all feel to have a good time on Memorial day weekend. This is a huge weekend here in the "land of pleasant living"...Maryland. Crabs, Natty Boh's, Bohtini's, and in our family, the college lacrosse national championship weekend. I have played for the better part of my 53 years, all of my daughters have played, and of course all of their boyfriends have played. Well this year MD has the honor of hosting both the mens and woman's final four. So Saturday I was to meet my oldest daughter and her boyfriend at Ravens Stadium for the MD vs Notre Dame game. A number of family friends have kids on both teams. It's sunny, 72 degrees...what could be more perfect. Well I was fucking dreading it. Most guys, from my generation of lacrosse ,dip. Fucking UST would give the team as many tins as we wanted for free. "Skoal Brother" thats what the the ad's said. Unlike smoking which had started to become a bit stigmatized, dipping was cool...something to be enjoyed together. And together we enjoyed. Every guy on the team bus would have a fatty in. I don't know how many of those dudes still chew, but I do know that those who live around here sure do. I have played on the same "over 35" team since the day I turned 35. Every one of us dip. Lawyers,Doctors, Salesman, Small business owners, they all still chew. Now if you do not think that is an addicting drug, you are smoking crack. And addicting drugs means addicts and that is where I come in. I just could not fathom myself throwing back beers with old friends and not share a dip with them. I still can't see myself ever doing anything again without a dip in and that fucking sucks. Luckily my daughter called and said the traffic was horrific, so I opted to catch the game on TV. As much as I love lacrosse, I could not even sit still to watch it on TV. My wife is not a fan of the game and since I was barely watching, she opted to go binge watch whatever she is watching. So I grabbed the dog and went fishing. I literally pounded a tin of Smokey Mountain in 2 hours. It was as close to normal as I have felt in 17 days. But I felt like I was missing something..."yeah it's called life you dickhead"

So Sunday rolls around, it's like groundhog day, except it's the Woman's final. Same exact dickhead move by yours truly. I end up fishing with the dog and missing another day of life. Since the MD woman had won the finals and the MD men had lost on Sat., nobody was going to the mens finals. I kind of felt relieved. No pressure today. I got up at first light and fished a spot about 1000 yards from my dock. It was like I was seeing the world for the first time, the fucking sunrise was unreal. I could still see my house from the boat and just felt happy to be alive. My beautiful wife was cancer free and I was crave free. Picked up a nice Striper, snapped a pic of me and the fish, and tossed her over. We are still getting used to being empty nesters, so it was a nice surprise when my youngest showed up a day early from college for the summer. She arrived home around 7 pm and immediately asked me if I wanted to hit the water for the last hour of light. Things were slow for the first half hour as we caught up. Finally things turned on and she picked up a nice 26 inch Rock on a topwater plug. I don't care what age your are, a topwater slam will make your heart stop, so we were both pumped.We continued talking and I soon picked up one in the same class. We only practice CPR (Catch, Photo, Release), so Gracie instinctively grabbed the camera and that's when my heart stopped again when she said "wait..dad...you have not been chewing". As she snapped the photo, she said to me "you know dad, thats the first picture I have ever seen of you with a fish and no fat lip". My 20 year old daughter has never seen me without a dip in. Xmas, Birthdays, ballgames, fishing, all altered in some way by that bus ride 33 years ago when I was a punk Laxbro of 20. Well I say fuck you UST, I will quit again tomorrow.

[srans]

The first 13 days of my quit were really no big deal, but the last 2 have been pure hell. My wife and I took the boat out for a cruise last night and she said something very profound. She said that I was struggling because my brain was just now realizing that this quit is for real. She said I probably did not believe that I would never have my precious Skoal for the rest of my life until now. My wife quit smoking 25 years ago without saying a word, she just did it. The last 3 months were very hard on her dealing with breast cancer. She came through it fine, but even more impressive is the fact that she did not bitch or feel sorry for herself one day. So last night when she told me to "stop being a pussy and just do it" I knew she was right. So that's what I will do...Stop being a pussy and just do this thing.

Wow... your wife gets it. She is right on!

I can tell you that was the hardest part of my 30+ days quit. I kept wondering how I would deal with never having copenhagen again. I wanted to quit so bad but for some reason could not reconcile that I was not going to dip on this day. I had said I would quit so many times before and lamely limped back to the can of death. I was weak. From the day I found this site and posted roll I took it very seriously and everything changed... my word is solid and I was going to stay quit. But still I struggled. At one point, a light just went off in my head as I finally realized I would not be missing anything if I did not take dip. All that poisonous can ever did for me was take... my dignity, my freedom, time off my life, time away from my family, my hard earned money and it owned me. Life is so much better when you call the shots!

Keep looking forward today. There is nothing back there for you. Listen to the wife. I am quit with you all day today.

Nice post, Buddy. Sounds like you are on the right track. It also sounds like you have an amazing wife to share this journey with. Congrats and quit being a pussy. haha

The first couple weeks weren't that bad for me either. It got harder before it got easier.

Your making your way to a door. This door is hard to get to and open. I can't tell you how long it will take to get to this door, but i can tell you with accountability, determination and drive you will make it. Settle in and make your way to the door.

The emotional rollercoaster has it's ups and downs. Once you're mind knows there is no going back things will get better. There is no turning back. I don't care how long it takes and how bad things get. Keep you're head pointed forward and make you're way to the door. Nothing back there for you. Quit with u today.

[slinger]

The first 13 days of my quit were really no big deal, but the last 2 have been pure hell. My wife and I took the boat out for a cruise last night and she said something very profound. She said that I was struggling because my brain was just now realizing that this quit is for real. She said I probably did not believe that I would never have my precious Skoal for the rest of my life until now. My wife quit smoking 25 years ago without saying a word, she just did it. The last 3 months were very hard on her dealing with breast cancer. She came through it fine, but even more impressive is the fact that she did not bitch or feel sorry for herself one day. So last night when she told me to "stop being a pussy and just do it" I knew she was right. So that's what I will do...Stop being a pussy and just do this thing.

Wow... your wife gets it. She is right on!

I can tell you that was the hardest part of my 30+ days quit. I kept wondering how I would deal with never having copenhagen again. I wanted to quit so bad but for some reason could not reconcile that I was not going to dip on this day. I had said I would quit so many times before and lamely limped back to the can of death. I was weak. From the day I found this site and posted roll I took it very seriously and everything changed... my word is solid and I was going to stay quit. But still I struggled. At one point, a light just went off in my head as I finally realized I would not be missing anything if I did not take dip. All that poisonous can ever did for me was take... my dignity, my freedom, time off my life, time away from my family, my hard earned money and it owned me. Life is so much better when you call the shots!

Keep looking forward today. There is nothing back there for you. Listen to the wife. I am quit with you all day today.

Nice post, Buddy. Sounds like you are on the right track. It also sounds like you have an amazing wife to share this journey with. Congrats and quit being a pussy. haha

[Derk40]

The first 13 days of my quit were really no big deal, but the last 2 have been pure hell. My wife and I took the boat out for a cruise last night and she said something very profound. She said that I was struggling because my brain was just now realizing that this quit is for real. She said I probably did not believe that I would never have my precious Skoal for the rest of my life until now. My wife quit smoking 25 years ago without saying a word, she just did it. The last 3 months were very hard on her dealing with breast cancer. She came through it fine, but even more impressive is the fact that she did not bitch or feel sorry for herself one day. So last night when she told me to "stop being a pussy and just do it" I knew she was right. So that's what I will do...Stop being a pussy and just do this thing.

Wow... your wife gets it. She is right on!

I can tell you that was the hardest part of my 30+ days quit. I kept wondering how I would deal with never having copenhagen again. I wanted to quit so bad but for some reason could not reconcile that I was not going to dip on this day. I had said I would quit so many times before and lamely limped back to the can of death. I was weak. From the day I found this site and posted roll I took it very seriously and everything changed... my word is solid and I was going to stay quit. But still I struggled. At one point, a light just went off in my head as I finally realized I would not be missing anything if I did not take dip. All that poisonous can ever did for me was take... my dignity, my freedom, time off my life, time away from my family, my hard earned money and it owned me. Life is so much better when you call the shots!

Keep looking forward today. There is nothing back there for you. Listen to the wife. I am quit with you all day today.

[laxdog]

The first 13 days of my quit were really no big deal, but the last 2 have been pure hell. My wife and I took the boat out for a cruise last night and she said something very profound. She said that I was struggling because my brain was just now realizing that this quit is for real. She said I probably did not believe that I would never have my precious Skoal for the rest of my life until now. My wife quit smoking 25 years ago without saying a word, she just did it. The last 3 months were very hard on her dealing with breast cancer. She came through it fine, but even more impressive is the fact that she did not bitch or feel sorry for herself one day. So last night when she told me to "stop being a pussy and just do it" I knew she was right. So that's what I will do...Stop being a pussy and just do this thing.

[Bombero]

Got back last night after 4 days in the Keys fishing with college buddies. Dip was everywhere. Every guide we had was dipping non stop. My buddies were really cool about my quit and for the most part kept it out of sight. It really did not matter that because each morning at 5:30 before we hit the water I hit roll call and was quit for that day. I really am amazed that after 33 years of non stop dipping, the urge was just not there. Unlike a lot of those on this site, I have never once in those 33 years thought about quitting. It just does not appeal to me any longer. It really pisses me off that I never saw the light sooner. You guys are right, things taste better, my smell has returned, and I just feel a lot calmer. I am glad to be quit and plan on staying that way for the rest of my time on earth.

Nice job bro. Way to commit, and welcome.

As to your earlier questions about fake, I'm with Chewie. I dipped Hooch Spitfire for the first 200+ days, like it was my job. Then one day, I just didn't.

It worked well for me. Whatever it takes to keep the cat turd outta your face, I'm for it.

Nice job with the weekend fishing trip.

You're winning.

-Nolaq - Day 1,528

I love some spitfire. That stuff is the bomb. I thought it helping was a bunch of hokie until I tried it, but it must fill some Pavlovian need because I can pop some hooch in and feel myself start to chill - like all the info boards say, it's mind games. I get what you're saying Laxdog, it's still nasty, and an outsider wouldn't know the difference. Others may disagree, but what I've started doing is pushing off from using hooch, gum, seeds, etc when I'm in a relatively safe place - driving, fishing, etc - and beating the urge that way. I ALWAYS have a fall back plan, and I only do it when I'm isolated from any nic. It's easier to beat the crave without the hooch or SM than it was at day 14, but I still go through a can of hooch/SM about every 2-3 days.

Stay quit. I PM'd you my number.

[laxdog]

Lax - Similar story, went to the race in Charlotte this past weekend. Dip everywhere. Circles worn into back pockets, all that jazz. For whatever reason, I didn't jones for it a bit. Now y'day was a different story. Sitting in front of my laptop all day and into the evening it was a shit day. Intense craves like during the first 5 days. Regardless, good to see we both made it.

Went fishing off Ft Lauderdale early April. Freaky weird how you can be 2 miles off and catch all kinds of cool stuff. We're not used to that here in NC where the gulf stream is 25 to 35 miles offshore. Anyway, I got small blackfin that fed us that night but my son had the catch of the day, 86 inch atlantic sail. Pretty awesome for him and papa was proud.

It was our groups first trip to the Keys. It blew 30 every day which sucked. Despite the wind, we managed 28 species between us. Unfortunately, Tarpon was not one of them and that was what the trip was all about. We have gone to Boca Grande for 20 years and all voted to head back there next year.

Your comment about today's cravings struck a cord. Like I said, the trip was crave free, but right now I am Jones big time. I think dip becomes a crutch when I am bored. It is raining and windy outside right now which means no fishing ( I live on Chesapeake and fish just about every fishable day). We both just need to stay busier than usual and not let the cravings surface. I may have to take up knitting or some shit like that.

Your son should be hooked for life after a 86 inch sail...nice. I am an inshore guy, but will go offshore from time to time. 12 foot seas made for an interesting day Monday, but I did pick up a real nice King Mackerel and several lemon sharks.

Here's to staying busy and quitting together.

[Thumblewort]

Got back last night after 4 days in the Keys fishing with college buddies. Dip was everywhere. Every guide we had was dipping non stop. My buddies were really cool about my quit and for the most part kept it out of sight. It really did not matter that because each morning at 5:30 before we hit the water I hit roll call and was quit for that day. I really am amazed that after 33 years of non stop dipping, the urge was just not there. Unlike a lot of those on this site, I have never once in those 33 years thought about quitting. It just does not appeal to me any longer. It really pisses me off that I never saw the light sooner. You guys are right, things taste better, my smell has returned, and I just feel a lot calmer. I am glad to be quit and plan on staying that way for the rest of my time on earth.

Bad ass post, and thanks for sharing, proud to be quit with you today!

[Done4Me]

Lax - Similar story, went to the race in Charlotte this past weekend. Dip everywhere. Circles worn into back pockets, all that jazz. For whatever reason, I didn't jones for it a bit. Now y'day was a different story. Sitting in front of my laptop all day and into the evening it was a shit day. Intense craves like during the first 5 days. Regardless, good to see we both made it.

Went fishing off Ft Lauderdale early April. Freaky weird how you can be 2 miles off and catch all kinds of cool stuff. We're not used to that here in NC where the gulf stream is 25 to 35 miles offshore. Anyway, I got small blackfin that fed us that night but my son had the catch of the day, 86 inch atlantic sail. Pretty awesome for him and papa was proud.

[Nolaq]

Got back last night after 4 days in the Keys fishing with college buddies. Dip was everywhere. Every guide we had was dipping non stop. My buddies were really cool about my quit and for the most part kept it out of sight. It really did not matter that because each morning at 5:30 before we hit the water I hit roll call and was quit for that day. I really am amazed that after 33 years of non stop dipping, the urge was just not there. Unlike a lot of those on this site, I have never once in those 33 years thought about quitting. It just does not appeal to me any longer. It really pisses me off that I never saw the light sooner. You guys are right, things taste better, my smell has returned, and I just feel a lot calmer. I am glad to be quit and plan on staying that way for the rest of my time on earth.

Nice job bro. Way to commit, and welcome.

As to your earlier questions about fake, I'm with Chewie. I dipped Hooch Spitfire for the first 200+ days, like it was my job. Then one day, I just didn't.

It worked well for me. Whatever it takes to keep the cat turd outta your face, I'm for it.

Nice job with the weekend fishing trip.

You're winning.

-Nolaq - Day 1,528

[laxdog]

Got back last night after 4 days in the Keys fishing with college buddies. Dip was everywhere. Every guide we had was dipping non stop. My buddies were really cool about my quit and for the most part kept it out of sight. It really did not matter that because each morning at 5:30 before we hit the water I hit roll call and was quit for that day. I really am amazed that after 33 years of non stop dipping, the urge was just not there. Unlike a lot of those on this site, I have never once in those 33 years thought about quitting. It just does not appeal to me any longer. It really pisses me off that I never saw the light sooner. You guys are right, things taste better, my smell has returned, and I just feel a lot calmer. I am glad to be quit and plan on staying that way for the rest of my time on earth.

[bronc]

This is pure awesomeness. Thanks for posting your journey...it's helping me remember how bad the suck was and reaffirming the resolve to never put another one in again! If you don't have enough numbers in your phone already, please PM me and I'll send you mine. Stay the course man. It sucks for a bit, but really soon you are going to experience the joy of living in freedom. It's a beautiful thing!

[Doc Chewfree]

Just got back from a pleasant friday casual dinner out with my wife. When the waitress asks about dessert, I always jump right in with a resounding NO. My wife of course always veto's that call and orders the "fat ass special of the night". She orders it, not the piss me off, or for her ass. (She is quite pert), but to have a bite. I always grouse that its a waste of money and am promptly told to STFU. Anyone who knows me, knows I do not give a shit about money. I now understand the real reason for my altitude...I was having a NIC fit. Every meal for the past 33 years has been ruined by that fucking bitch.

I just finished packing for a fishing trip to the keys with guys who were there when I met the bitch. They actually like her and don't understand why their wives think she is such a bitch. Unlike a lot of you,I am not a ninja dipper. I would dip at parties, in friends homes, in front of guests at our home. I obviously would not dip if the social situation warranted having a flat lip, but anytime I was comfortable in the situation I had a lipper. Most, if not all ,of the dudes that were friends with my daughters, thought I was cool. So all seven of my buddies wives have seen me with a dip in, but would kick their husbands ass if seen with the same. Every one of them has said at some point over the past 30 years that "you need to quit that shit". Yeah, I would laugh. What a fucking idiot I have been. If I was the lone smoker in the group my actions would never have been tolerated. For some reason dipping is still cool among most weekend warriors in the fishing world. So I have been a bit worried about this trip. I have no doubt that they will all respect the quit, but I also know their will be a good deal of merriment when we are not slaying some poon....Tarpon that is. I have not had another dip of the fake shit today. I am treating it like the bitch herself, so if I get the urge to cave, I will cheat with "Smokey Mountain". I leave at 6 am, so will post roll in am. We should have wifi, so i should not miss roll. Regardless, I will Never Again for Any Reason. Lets do this quit my August Bros.

Laxdog, glad to hear you have given this a lot of thought and have a plan. I had a buddies weekend much like you about the same time in my quit. 3 of them smoked and 2 chewed. I felt that I was a role model for them and I knew they all wished they were quit but were too far in the nic whore's pants to do it.
Enjoy your fishing trip and slay some tarpon. Stay vigilant when having drinks. You will be fine. Just relish the fact that you are quit and breath it in.

[laxdog]

Just got back from a pleasant friday casual dinner out with my wife. When the waitress asks about dessert, I always jump right in with a resounding NO. My wife of course always veto's that call and orders the "fat ass special of the night". She orders it, not the piss me off, or for her ass. (She is quite pert), but to have a bite. I always grouse that its a waste of money and am promptly told to STFU. Anyone who knows me, knows I do not give a shit about money. I now understand the real reason for my altitude...I was having a NIC fit. Every meal for the past 33 years has been ruined by that fucking bitch.

I just finished packing for a fishing trip to the keys with guys who were there when I met the bitch. They actually like her and don't understand why their wives think she is such a bitch. Unlike a lot of you,I am not a ninja dipper. I would dip at parties, in friends homes, in front of guests at our home. I obviously would not dip if the social situation warranted having a flat lip, but anytime I was comfortable in the situation I had a lipper. Most, if not all ,of the dudes that were friends with my daughters, thought I was cool. So all seven of my buddies wives have seen me with a dip in, but would kick their husbands ass if seen with the same. Every one of them has said at some point over the past 30 years that "you need to quit that shit". Yeah, I would laugh. What a fucking idiot I have been. If I was the lone smoker in the group my actions would never have been tolerated. For some reason dipping is still cool among most weekend warriors in the fishing world. So I have been a bit worried about this trip. I have no doubt that they will all respect the quit, but I also know their will be a good deal of merriment when we are not slaying some poon....Tarpon that is. I have not had another dip of the fake shit today. I am treating it like the bitch herself, so if I get the urge to cave, I will cheat with "Smokey Mountain". I leave at 6 am, so will post roll in am. We should have wifi, so i should not miss roll. Regardless, I will Never Again for Any Reason. Lets do this quit my August Bros.