Looking for Support

[ninereasons]

Hey, thanks for the prompt and informative responses . . . !

I dipped for about 15 years or so . . . and I have wanted to quit for about the past 5-7.  I decided to quit when I realized it was making me sick.  It was giving me anxiety and insomnia at night, etc.   

The first two days after quitting were really bad . . . but now I have seemed to settle into a milder form of withdrawal.  Basically I just feel like my life is missing something exciting . . . like I have nothing to look forward to.  Not in a depressing way, but more of a disappointing way . . . make sense?

Anyway, I'll never dip again.  I have too many reason not to do it . . . I just can't wait to feel a little more normal again.

Thx again . . . it is helpful talking with people who know exactly how this feels.

I think I know exactly what you mean. I've had periods of abstinence of various lengths, but tobacco has been part of my daily routine for a third of a century, several times every day.

The feeling that you're forgetting to do something is a very powerful trigger, but it loses intensity over time and more quickly if you replace your addictive routine with something else. Post roll every day. PM a quit brother and ask for their cell number. Text them, or post to your quit group, as often as you used to dip. That will take care of that.

I'm also dealing with the feeling that my lip is lonely, that I want something to poke at with my tongue between meals, something that takes my mind off food but gum doesn't do it. Fake snuff fills that bill for me - for the present. If you buy some and think it doesn't have enough kick, I add cayenne pepper or liqueur to it. I think you'll find that the fake combines just about everything you liked about dipping with none of the poisonous consequences. And, if you stop using it there is no withdrawal.

Dutch salt licorice is my first preference over gum, and it doesn't get as old for me as seeds; but most people seem to hate how it tastes, for some reason.

I agree with what you say elsewhere. A more normal sleep pattern is worth the price of the quit ticket all by itself.

[tek]

Hey friends . . . so I finally decided to quit.  I am on day 5 and feeling much better.

I am looking for some links, data, etc. that highlight the positive effects of quitting.  Most of the information I find out there explains all the bad crap that dipping does to you . . . but now that I have decided to quit for good, I would love to read some information on the good things going on inside my body (i.e. how long it takes for hormones, etc. to become "regular" again).

Thanks!

Congratulations tek. You made a fantastic decision, and you've asked a terrific question. A partial answer can be found by following the links on the killthecan.org home page, but you're suggesting an angle of attack that maybe could be better exploited.

I hope a more sample-controlled set of data is forthcoming for you; but in the meantime here's what I'm noticing, and I'd like to hear your anecdotal observations too. 'archer'

I'm on my 18th day, and I've seen these beneficial changes:

* Nicotine restricts blood flow and impedes oxygen-exchange. When I'm working out I already feel the benefits of breaking free from nicotine's effects. I have better endurance (and it might be imagination - less soreness following new exertions).

* My appetite is becoming more regular and healthy. While I was using, I ate large portions once a day. Early in my quit, I had an insatiable need to be eating something all day long. I gained a few pounds. I am at Day 18 and I've noticed that as long as I eat frequently, I'm content with very small portions - a healthier eating pattern than when I was using. Food tastes better to me.

* Early in my quit I had no sense of humor at all; later I had the sense of humor of a five year old; but when I was using my sense of humor was duller than it is now.

* Early on in my quit, I couldn't read a book to save my life. :wacko: Now I'm finding that my mind is much more engaged than when I was using. It's easier to gather my thoughts and to express them.

* I do a lot of scripting every day, and other kinds of problem solving. It is measurably evident that I'm able to do my job more effectively because I can think more clearly.

* Chewing when I wanted to be quit caused me to be depressed. Being quit when I crave a chew is making me happy. This benefit will change from day to day, I'm sure.

* Generally, I have a much wider range of emotions and sensuality. Conjugal relations are more frequent and more satisfying, for example. That's a benefit, if you care about that sort of thing. 'boob'

Some of these experiences of heightened senses may be temporary: a kind of quitter's hysteria. 'Crazy' But I think that a lot of the vets can confirm that many of these benefits only increase the longer you stay away from nicotine.

Thanks for the response.

I noticed a definite increase in endurance when running. I ran my typical route today and finished a little sooner, and it was easier than usual.

The only other positive physical benefit I have experienced so far is an appropriate level of tiredness at night. Dip used to keep me up . . . it is the main reason I quit. I am glad this benefit is occurring so early on in my quit.

[DudeHere]

Hey tek,

I'm on day 5 of quit. Here's a few positives that I noticed:

-Increased/normal appetitie
-Better quality sleep
-Mouth doesn't taste like a pack of wild dogs ran by and pissed in it
-Although grumpy from the quit, seem more level headed
-My dumps are more regular/less explosive (coffee+dip...you know what I am talking about)

Keep up the good work. The long term benefits of quitting far out weights the short term struggles.

[tek]

Hey, thanks for the prompt and informative responses . . . !

I dipped for about 15 years or so . . . and I have wanted to quit for about the past 5-7. I decided to quit when I realized it was making me sick. It was giving me anxiety and insomnia at night, etc.

The first two days after quitting were really bad . . . but now I have seemed to settle into a milder form of withdrawal. Basically I just feel like my life is missing something exciting . . . like I have nothing to look forward to. Not in a depressing way, but more of a disappointing way . . . make sense?

Anyway, I'll never dip again. I have too many reason not to do it . . . I just can't wait to feel a little more normal again.

Thx again . . . it is helpful talking with people who know exactly how this feels.

[jrams16]

Tek, I forgot to mention this also:

Nicotine takes 48-72 hrs to leave your body. You are past that stage since you are on day five. At this point, anything you feel will only be coming from your mind and not your body needing the fix. also, a craving only last for 10-15 minutes, so u can withhold the urge. (It doesn't matter if you have dipped for 1 year or 20.)

I have also found that these "fake" dips have really helped me when i feel the need to throw one in. At first i thought this stuff was just a marketing gimmick but it REALLY help me. I used skoal for 14 years, from college ball to patrol. I use the fake stuff in all the same situations i would have used previously (in the car, going for a run, watching a game...etc). I have been going through about 2 tins a day (of the fake) and that has really helped.

If interested, i recommend reading the reviews on this site to determine what brand/flavor may work for you.

[jrams16]

Hey Tek,

Congrats on your decision to quit! I am going on my 6th day and i have to say that it is going much better than i had anticipated. It makes me wonder why i never did this earlier (but i digress).
Just keep on, keepin' on

[jaygib]

Welcome tek. I don't have any links but 40 plus days in I can already notice changes in my life.

First, I sleep better and sleep more. I have vivid enjoyable dreams that I remember. I go to sleep at a reasonable time, I don't stay up late for an extra hour or two of dip fun.

Second, I have more patience. This has come about in the last couple weeks. I don't blow my lid easily when the kids are kids. Stuff breaks, kids make messes and I talk in affirming ways rather than being rude and negative because time spent on my kids took me from time spent dipping.

And like nine I was really wrestling with being an addict for the past many months of use so my heart is at peace and I don't look at myself in disgust when I look at myself in the mirror.

A final benefit is the mention of the word cancer doesn't sent me into a panic attack though I realize my years of use may cause me to get cancer at some point in the future. Now it's not in my control so I have little reason to worry about it.

[ninereasons]

Hey friends . . . so I finally decided to quit.  I am on day 5 and feeling much better.

I am looking for some links, data, etc. that highlight the positive effects of quitting.  Most of the information I find out there explains all the bad crap that dipping does to you . . . but now that I have decided to quit for good, I would love to read some information on the good things going on inside my body (i.e. how long it takes for hormones, etc. to become "regular" again).

Thanks!

Congratulations tek. You made a fantastic decision, and you've asked a terrific question. A partial answer can be found by following the links on the killthecan.org home page, but you're suggesting an angle of attack that maybe could be better exploited.

I hope a more sample-controlled set of data is forthcoming for you; but in the meantime here's what I'm noticing, and I'd like to hear your anecdotal observations too. 'archer'

I'm on my 18th day, and I've seen these beneficial changes:

* Nicotine restricts blood flow and impedes oxygen-exchange. When I'm working out I already feel the benefits of breaking free from nicotine's effects. I have better endurance (and it might be imagination - less soreness following new exertions).

* My appetite is becoming more regular and healthy. While I was using, I ate large portions once a day. Early in my quit, I had an insatiable need to be eating something all day long. I gained a few pounds. I am at Day 18 and I've noticed that as long as I eat frequently, I'm content with very small portions - a healthier eating pattern than when I was using. Food tastes better to me.

* Early in my quit I had no sense of humor at all; later I had the sense of humor of a five year old; but when I was using my sense of humor was duller than it is now.

* Early on in my quit, I couldn't read a book to save my life. :wacko: Now I'm finding that my mind is much more engaged than when I was using. It's easier to gather my thoughts and to express them.

* I do a lot of scripting every day, and other kinds of problem solving. It is measurably evident that I'm able to do my job more effectively because I can think more clearly.

* Chewing when I wanted to be quit caused me to be depressed. Being quit when I crave a chew is making me happy. This benefit will change from day to day, I'm sure.

* Generally, I have a much wider range of emotions and sensuality. Conjugal relations are more frequent and more satisfying, for example. That's a benefit, if you care about that sort of thing. 'boob'

Some of these experiences of heightened senses may be temporary: a kind of quitter's hysteria. 'Crazy' But I think that a lot of the vets can confirm that many of these benefits only increase the longer you stay away from nicotine.

[Nolaq]

Hey friends . . . so I finally decided to quit.  I am on day 5 and feeling much better.

I am looking for some links, data, etc. that highlight the positive effects of quitting.  Most of the information I find out there explains all the bad crap that dipping does to you . . . but now that I have decided to quit for good, I would love to read some information on the good things going on inside my body (i.e. how long it takes for hormones, etc. to become "regular" again).

Thanks!

Welcome to the best decision you ever made.

Go here first.

Then read this.

Then read this.

If you need any help, send me a PM.

[tek]

Hey friends . . . so I finally decided to quit. I am on day 5 and feeling much better.

I am looking for some links, data, etc. that highlight the positive effects of quitting. Most of the information I find out there explains all the bad crap that dipping does to you . . . but now that I have decided to quit for good, I would love to read some information on the good things going on inside my body (i.e. how long it takes for hormones, etc. to become "regular" again).

Thanks!