Figured I would revive this, and give yall my background, as thats what these intro threads are supposed to do, and I dont wanna start another one!
I am 23 years old, and had been dipping since I was 18. Got up to almost a can a day. Started out with Grizzly straight, then onto Grizzly wintergreen, and then onto Kodiak wintergreen for the last 4 or so years.
I grew up thinking chew was the coolest thing since sliced bread. I envied guys who chewed, I wanted that big bulge in my cheek, and to spit all the time. Oh how COOL that must be I thought! Boy was I wrong...I bought into the hype...all it did was give me an addiction and bad breath. I also thought...oh I can quit when I want, I wont do this forever.
After reading and reading and reading some more on KTC, the first few days of my quit I started to think "man, im not THAT bad" or "Some guys do 2 cans a day?! Im fine!" Then I started to think about it the right way and thought "man, im so young, ive got so much to live for, I'm going to be a way better person for stopping while im ahead"....and here I am at day 5 feeling like a million bucks...like a 23 year old should....
Ive struggled with marijuana problems in the past, was hooked quite heavily on that for a while as well as dip. I have been clean from pot for months and months now, and now I am 5 days free from nicotine. I haven't felt this good since I was 18.
I feel like someone I can actually be proud of now, It is an indescribable feeling. And its due in large part to all of you. If I hadnt found this site, and been given all the advice I have, I dont know where I would be. Im so glad everyone just told me "START NOW, FLUSH YOUR TIN". That was the start of a new life for me.
Bottom line is....I feel great. And this is day 5. I am bigger than any addiction, and am never looking back. Theres not enough money in the world that could put that shit back in my lip...
On another note, I was in New Orleans this weekend with my girlfriend and some of her friends. I drank heavily, and didnt cave or even think of caving. I was around a lot of cigarette smoke, cigars, etc and all I could think was "you poor bastards" or "GROSS!" One of her friends smokes cigarettes, and It amazed me at his way of thinking and his rationalizations. It was true addict talk. I asked him why he smoked cigarettes, (after telling him I had conquered my addiction of course 'na na') and he replied with "oh I don't, I only smoke when I drink". Yeah right. I had just watched him burn one down at 12pm on the front porch...SOBER. He said "oh I didnt need to smoke that one, I just felt like it" and then he said "I can quit whenever I want, I go 2+ days sometimes without smoking"
I tried to explain to him how ridiculous this sounded, but he wasnt hearing much of it, and I had just met him so I didnt want to push any major buttons, but HOLY CRAP, that talk is crazy!!! I used to say the same shit, but I finally wised up. Its crazy the things our minds think to justify our actions....
Sorry for the long post, and I got a little off topic. But hopefully everyone knows me a little better, and Im happy to answer any questions or comments!!
Thanks again to everyone here...I am truly grateful...
- Shane