Introducing pat

[Minny]

So I have been doing a lot of research on anti-anxiety medications and non-medicated treatment techniques for people with anxiety.  I am quite certain that I have an anxiety problem of some degree.  That was one of my excuses for dipping all the time. 

In the end I have found that I am much better at handling stress and anxiety when I am not dipping.  But after a couple of small anxiety attacks(which I have had on and off for a long period in my life) and the revelation that many of my family members have anxiety or depression disorders I have been wondering if I need help from a professional. 

I have seen that some people have gone on drugs temporarily until their brains mellow out.  Since my brain re-wiring is going well in that regard I was intending to let it go for a while and see how it ends up.  For those that are checking in on my introduction from time to time:  What are your thoughts.

I'm on day 506 and still take anti anxiety meds. Never had a lick of anxiety until I quit. Didn't even know what it was.

When I quit my body literally went haywire. I was scared shitless. I left the site and went and saw a counselor and a shrink.

Later it was determined I was depressed and was suffering from extreme anxiety, both because of my quit.

I was put in a daily dose of anti depression meds and took anti anxiety meds as needed.

They worked wonders for me. I came off and and am still off the anti depression meds, but ill be damned if I can shake this anxiety. I'm not having any kind of attacks, just lingering dull ANNOYING anxiety.

I meet with a counselor to discuss why, and at this point she concluded its no longer due to missing nicotine, but more so a problem of living life.

I never really learned deal with the added stressers in my life that came along while I dipped, my plate was pretty empty when I started. Add a wife, a mortgage, a "real" job, one kid, two kid, and everything that goes along with it, you need to adjust your stress coping skills.

I leaned on chewing, but I didn't have to. That was bullshit. I want proof of that, I look at my wife. Her plate was empty too, but when life started getting "real" she didn't need nicotine to cope. Her body adjusted the way it was intended to. Same with my brother who had kids around the same time and millions of others who go through life non dependant on nicotine.

As I sit today I think "506 days quit...why the fuck do you still have anxiety????". It pissed me off and is annoying as hell.

Its not nearly as bad as it once was, but its still there and its annoying. I've continued to meet with a counselor and have tried all the techniques for eliminating it, but I can't.

I meet with my shrink next Tuesday to go over my medications. What I have now is more for emergencies to stop the onset of a panic or anxiety attack, a quick fix if you will.

We are going to talk about something long term, almost like an antibiotic that I might just take daily.

It sucks, and I hate being on meds, but if thats what it takes then that's what I will do. I cheated on my "life exam" and am still paying for it. I don't mind as its better than paying the ultimate price...death. Ill pop a pill once a day if I have to. Its better than stuffing 2 tins of Kodiak in it each day.

My advice to YOU is to take it one day at a time. If you think you can handle it and non medicated techniques are working for you, then keep it going. If not, and you start to feel overwhelmed, then don't try to "tough it out", go see a professional. You'd be surprised how much simply talking to a professional helps, and if you need an assist for awhile in the form of a pill...so what. Their are worse things in the world.

This is MY take on it. I know others feel different and have beaten the anxiety thing without meds, but I'm just giving you MY open and honest experience.

Sorry this is so long and I did not mean to hijack your intro but this is a very important subject to me, and I will always feel obligated to share MY experiences because it is something I REALLY struggled with and still am to a lesser degree. It's my sincere hope that SOME part of what I shared can help you.

Quit on...

hey Funk, Follow Diesels' solid experience and thoughts. The truth is in him!
NAFAR and ODAAT with or without meds. :-)

That's kind of what I have been thinking. I also wonder if I am not making it worse by thinking too much about it. Getting myself worked up.

What is NAFAR? I haven't seen that one before.

Never Again For Any Reason... HOWEVER, I like to think of it as Not Any For Any Reason. "Never Again" kind of flies in the face of ODAAT. Badass Quitter Derk likes NTFAR Not Today For Any Reason.

Keep going, man, your'e doing great. Not Today For Any Reason, and you will be free. I'll see you tomorrow on roll.

[Funktronic42]

So I have been doing a lot of research on anti-anxiety medications and non-medicated treatment techniques for people with anxiety.  I am quite certain that I have an anxiety problem of some degree.  That was one of my excuses for dipping all the time. 

In the end I have found that I am much better at handling stress and anxiety when I am not dipping.  But after a couple of small anxiety attacks(which I have had on and off for a long period in my life) and the revelation that many of my family members have anxiety or depression disorders I have been wondering if I need help from a professional. 

I have seen that some people have gone on drugs temporarily until their brains mellow out.  Since my brain re-wiring is going well in that regard I was intending to let it go for a while and see how it ends up.  For those that are checking in on my introduction from time to time:  What are your thoughts.

I'm on day 506 and still take anti anxiety meds. Never had a lick of anxiety until I quit. Didn't even know what it was.

When I quit my body literally went haywire. I was scared shitless. I left the site and went and saw a counselor and a shrink.

Later it was determined I was depressed and was suffering from extreme anxiety, both because of my quit.

I was put in a daily dose of anti depression meds and took anti anxiety meds as needed.

They worked wonders for me. I came off and and am still off the anti depression meds, but ill be damned if I can shake this anxiety. I'm not having any kind of attacks, just lingering dull ANNOYING anxiety.

I meet with a counselor to discuss why, and at this point she concluded its no longer due to missing nicotine, but more so a problem of living life.

I never really learned deal with the added stressers in my life that came along while I dipped, my plate was pretty empty when I started. Add a wife, a mortgage, a "real" job, one kid, two kid, and everything that goes along with it, you need to adjust your stress coping skills.

I leaned on chewing, but I didn't have to. That was bullshit. I want proof of that, I look at my wife. Her plate was empty too, but when life started getting "real" she didn't need nicotine to cope. Her body adjusted the way it was intended to. Same with my brother who had kids around the same time and millions of others who go through life non dependant on nicotine.

As I sit today I think "506 days quit...why the fuck do you still have anxiety????". It pissed me off and is annoying as hell.

Its not nearly as bad as it once was, but its still there and its annoying. I've continued to meet with a counselor and have tried all the techniques for eliminating it, but I can't.

I meet with my shrink next Tuesday to go over my medications. What I have now is more for emergencies to stop the onset of a panic or anxiety attack, a quick fix if you will.

We are going to talk about something long term, almost like an antibiotic that I might just take daily.

It sucks, and I hate being on meds, but if thats what it takes then that's what I will do. I cheated on my "life exam" and am still paying for it. I don't mind as its better than paying the ultimate price...death. Ill pop a pill once a day if I have to. Its better than stuffing 2 tins of Kodiak in it each day.

My advice to YOU is to take it one day at a time. If you think you can handle it and non medicated techniques are working for you, then keep it going. If not, and you start to feel overwhelmed, then don't try to "tough it out", go see a professional. You'd be surprised how much simply talking to a professional helps, and if you need an assist for awhile in the form of a pill...so what. Their are worse things in the world.

This is MY take on it. I know others feel different and have beaten the anxiety thing without meds, but I'm just giving you MY open and honest experience.

Sorry this is so long and I did not mean to hijack your intro but this is a very important subject to me, and I will always feel obligated to share MY experiences because it is something I REALLY struggled with and still am to a lesser degree. It's my sincere hope that SOME part of what I shared can help you.

Quit on...

hey Funk, Follow Diesels' solid experience and thoughts. The truth is in him!
NAFAR and ODAAT with or without meds. :-)

That's kind of what I have been thinking. I also wonder if I am not making it worse by thinking too much about it. Getting myself worked up.

What is NAFAR? I haven't seen that one before.

[30isEnuff]

So I have been doing a lot of research on anti-anxiety medications and non-medicated treatment techniques for people with anxiety.  I am quite certain that I have an anxiety problem of some degree.  That was one of my excuses for dipping all the time. 

In the end I have found that I am much better at handling stress and anxiety when I am not dipping.  But after a couple of small anxiety attacks(which I have had on and off for a long period in my life) and the revelation that many of my family members have anxiety or depression disorders I have been wondering if I need help from a professional. 

I have seen that some people have gone on drugs temporarily until their brains mellow out.  Since my brain re-wiring is going well in that regard I was intending to let it go for a while and see how it ends up.  For those that are checking in on my introduction from time to time:  What are your thoughts.

I'm on day 506 and still take anti anxiety meds. Never had a lick of anxiety until I quit. Didn't even know what it was.

When I quit my body literally went haywire. I was scared shitless. I left the site and went and saw a counselor and a shrink.

Later it was determined I was depressed and was suffering from extreme anxiety, both because of my quit.

I was put in a daily dose of anti depression meds and took anti anxiety meds as needed.

They worked wonders for me. I came off and and am still off the anti depression meds, but ill be damned if I can shake this anxiety. I'm not having any kind of attacks, just lingering dull ANNOYING anxiety.

I meet with a counselor to discuss why, and at this point she concluded its no longer due to missing nicotine, but more so a problem of living life.

I never really learned deal with the added stressers in my life that came along while I dipped, my plate was pretty empty when I started. Add a wife, a mortgage, a "real" job, one kid, two kid, and everything that goes along with it, you need to adjust your stress coping skills.

I leaned on chewing, but I didn't have to. That was bullshit. I want proof of that, I look at my wife. Her plate was empty too, but when life started getting "real" she didn't need nicotine to cope. Her body adjusted the way it was intended to. Same with my brother who had kids around the same time and millions of others who go through life non dependant on nicotine.

As I sit today I think "506 days quit...why the fuck do you still have anxiety????". It pissed me off and is annoying as hell.

Its not nearly as bad as it once was, but its still there and its annoying. I've continued to meet with a counselor and have tried all the techniques for eliminating it, but I can't.

I meet with my shrink next Tuesday to go over my medications. What I have now is more for emergencies to stop the onset of a panic or anxiety attack, a quick fix if you will.

We are going to talk about something long term, almost like an antibiotic that I might just take daily.

It sucks, and I hate being on meds, but if thats what it takes then that's what I will do. I cheated on my "life exam" and am still paying for it. I don't mind as its better than paying the ultimate price...death. Ill pop a pill once a day if I have to. Its better than stuffing 2 tins of Kodiak in it each day.

My advice to YOU is to take it one day at a time. If you think you can handle it and non medicated techniques are working for you, then keep it going. If not, and you start to feel overwhelmed, then don't try to "tough it out", go see a professional. You'd be surprised how much simply talking to a professional helps, and if you need an assist for awhile in the form of a pill...so what. Their are worse things in the world.

This is MY take on it. I know others feel different and have beaten the anxiety thing without meds, but I'm just giving you MY open and honest experience.

Sorry this is so long and I did not mean to hijack your intro but this is a very important subject to me, and I will always feel obligated to share MY experiences because it is something I REALLY struggled with and still am to a lesser degree. It's my sincere hope that SOME part of what I shared can help you.

Quit on...

hey Funk, Follow Diesels' solid experience and thoughts. The truth is in him!
NAFAR and ODAAT with or without meds. :-)

[Diesel2112]

So I have been doing a lot of research on anti-anxiety medications and non-medicated treatment techniques for people with anxiety. I am quite certain that I have an anxiety problem of some degree. That was one of my excuses for dipping all the time.

In the end I have found that I am much better at handling stress and anxiety when I am not dipping. But after a couple of small anxiety attacks(which I have had on and off for a long period in my life) and the revelation that many of my family members have anxiety or depression disorders I have been wondering if I need help from a professional.

I have seen that some people have gone on drugs temporarily until their brains mellow out. Since my brain re-wiring is going well in that regard I was intending to let it go for a while and see how it ends up. For those that are checking in on my introduction from time to time: What are your thoughts.

I'm on day 506 and still take anti anxiety meds. Never had a lick of anxiety until I quit. Didn't even know what it was.

When I quit my body literally went haywire. I was scared shitless. I left the site and went and saw a counselor and a shrink.

Later it was determined I was depressed and was suffering from extreme anxiety, both because of my quit.

I was put in a daily dose of anti depression meds and took anti anxiety meds as needed.

They worked wonders for me. I came off and and am still off the anti depression meds, but ill be damned if I can shake this anxiety. I'm not having any kind of attacks, just lingering dull ANNOYING anxiety.

I meet with a counselor to discuss why, and at this point she concluded its no longer due to missing nicotine, but more so a problem of living life.

I never really learned deal with the added stressers in my life that came along while I dipped, my plate was pretty empty when I started. Add a wife, a mortgage, a "real" job, one kid, two kid, and everything that goes along with it, you need to adjust your stress coping skills.

I leaned on chewing, but I didn't have to. That was bullshit. I want proof of that, I look at my wife. Her plate was empty too, but when life started getting "real" she didn't need nicotine to cope. Her body adjusted the way it was intended to. Same with my brother who had kids around the same time and millions of others who go through life non dependant on nicotine.

As I sit today I think "506 days quit...why the fuck do you still have anxiety????". It pissed me off and is annoying as hell.

Its not nearly as bad as it once was, but its still there and its annoying. I've continued to meet with a counselor and have tried all the techniques for eliminating it, but I can't.

I meet with my shrink next Tuesday to go over my medications. What I have now is more for emergencies to stop the onset of a panic or anxiety attack, a quick fix if you will.

We are going to talk about something long term, almost like an antibiotic that I might just take daily.

It sucks, and I hate being on meds, but if thats what it takes then that's what I will do. I cheated on my "life exam" and am still paying for it. I don't mind as its better than paying the ultimate price...death. Ill pop a pill once a day if I have to. Its better than stuffing 2 tins of Kodiak in it each day.

My advice to YOU is to take it one day at a time. If you think you can handle it and non medicated techniques are working for you, then keep it going. If not, and you start to feel overwhelmed, then don't try to "tough it out", go see a professional. You'd be surprised how much simply talking to a professional helps, and if you need an assist for awhile in the form of a pill...so what. Their are worse things in the world.

This is MY take on it. I know others feel different and have beaten the anxiety thing without meds, but I'm just giving you MY open and honest experience.

Sorry this is so long and I did not mean to hijack your intro but this is a very important subject to me, and I will always feel obligated to share MY experiences because it is something I REALLY struggled with and still am to a lesser degree. It's my sincere hope that SOME part of what I shared can help you.

Quit on...

[Funktronic42]

So I have been doing a lot of research on anti-anxiety medications and non-medicated treatment techniques for people with anxiety. I am quite certain that I have an anxiety problem of some degree. That was one of my excuses for dipping all the time.

In the end I have found that I am much better at handling stress and anxiety when I am not dipping. But after a couple of small anxiety attacks(which I have had on and off for a long period in my life) and the revelation that many of my family members have anxiety or depression disorders I have been wondering if I need help from a professional.

I have seen that some people have gone on drugs temporarily until their brains mellow out. Since my brain re-wiring is going well in that regard I was intending to let it go for a while and see how it ends up. For those that are checking in on my introduction from time to time: What are your thoughts.

[Funktronic42]

Another great victory for me today.  I ran a chainsaw for most of the day was not compelled too heavily to want tobacco in my mouth.  I sawed fast, smart and skillfully and Coppenahgen had nothing to do with it.  I was worried about how bad it would affect me to not have chew but the fact that I had some smokey mt in there took my mind right off of it and focusing on sawing.  Super cool.

Right on! Amazing how power equipment of all things doesn't seem to function unless it's operator has a lip full. Amazing the stuff you have to relearn, like cutting the grass. Or using a chainsaw. Enjoy today's victory!

It's just the culture around it. When running a saw you are expected to dip. everyone does it. It's the whole lemur and cliff scenario all over again. I wanted to be cool to all the people that ran saws so I jumped off a bridge with them. It was actually easier physically because I wasn't so damn thirsty all the time.

I'm amazed at how many different 'groups' there are that self identify with dipping as a cultural thing. Chainsaw operators is a new one on me, but I'll believe it. Oilfield workers of all stripes? That was me. But there's lawyers, businessmen, firefighters, cops, military, ag, I mean the list just goes on of groups that identify dipping as a cultural thing to them. In the end though it's an individual choice to use and an individual choice to be quit. Proud to quit with you today Pat.

and I with you mike. It just goes to show the prevalence of the addiction. When gone unchecked by the people it become part of the group. Just alcohol in Ireland and opium in ancient China. America has tobacco and fast food... among other things I guess.

Hmm you make a real interesting point about the power of the group to accept  be prevalent with an addiction. Kinda like KTC, the group can be very powerful indeed! Either sanctioning or vilifying a behavior. Here hopefully we're all using the power for good to help each other along in our quits!

I think that we are. I have benefited greatly and even people that may be upset with us but stick with us are still quit. That's a big deal. unfortunately, the beauty of the American system is also a downfall in the system. Our market is free for all of us to choose as we see fit. We have the freedom to get addicted. I am glad to be able to choose but wish I never had the choice.

[Mike from AB]

Another great victory for me today.  I ran a chainsaw for most of the day was not compelled too heavily to want tobacco in my mouth.  I sawed fast, smart and skillfully and Coppenahgen had nothing to do with it.  I was worried about how bad it would affect me to not have chew but the fact that I had some smokey mt in there took my mind right off of it and focusing on sawing.  Super cool.

Right on! Amazing how power equipment of all things doesn't seem to function unless it's operator has a lip full. Amazing the stuff you have to relearn, like cutting the grass. Or using a chainsaw. Enjoy today's victory!

It's just the culture around it. When running a saw you are expected to dip. everyone does it. It's the whole lemur and cliff scenario all over again. I wanted to be cool to all the people that ran saws so I jumped off a bridge with them. It was actually easier physically because I wasn't so damn thirsty all the time.

I'm amazed at how many different 'groups' there are that self identify with dipping as a cultural thing. Chainsaw operators is a new one on me, but I'll believe it. Oilfield workers of all stripes? That was me. But there's lawyers, businessmen, firefighters, cops, military, ag, I mean the list just goes on of groups that identify dipping as a cultural thing to them. In the end though it's an individual choice to use and an individual choice to be quit. Proud to quit with you today Pat.

and I with you mike. It just goes to show the prevalence of the addiction. When gone unchecked by the people it become part of the group. Just alcohol in Ireland and opium in ancient China. America has tobacco and fast food... among other things I guess.

Hmm you make a real interesting point about the power of the group to accept  be prevalent with an addiction. Kinda like KTC, the group can be very powerful indeed! Either sanctioning or vilifying a behavior. Here hopefully we're all using the power for good to help each other along in our quits!

[Funktronic42]

Another great victory for me today.  I ran a chainsaw for most of the day was not compelled too heavily to want tobacco in my mouth.  I sawed fast, smart and skillfully and Coppenahgen had nothing to do with it.  I was worried about how bad it would affect me to not have chew but the fact that I had some smokey mt in there took my mind right off of it and focusing on sawing.  Super cool.

Right on! Amazing how power equipment of all things doesn't seem to function unless it's operator has a lip full. Amazing the stuff you have to relearn, like cutting the grass. Or using a chainsaw. Enjoy today's victory!

It's just the culture around it. When running a saw you are expected to dip. everyone does it. It's the whole lemur and cliff scenario all over again. I wanted to be cool to all the people that ran saws so I jumped off a bridge with them. It was actually easier physically because I wasn't so damn thirsty all the time.

I'm amazed at how many different 'groups' there are that self identify with dipping as a cultural thing. Chainsaw operators is a new one on me, but I'll believe it. Oilfield workers of all stripes? That was me. But there's lawyers, businessmen, firefighters, cops, military, ag, I mean the list just goes on of groups that identify dipping as a cultural thing to them. In the end though it's an individual choice to use and an individual choice to be quit. Proud to quit with you today Pat.

and I with you mike. It just goes to show the prevalence of the addiction. When gone unchecked by the people it become part of the group. Just alcohol in Ireland and opium in ancient China. America has tobacco and fast food... among other things I guess.

[Mike from AB]

Another great victory for me today.  I ran a chainsaw for most of the day was not compelled too heavily to want tobacco in my mouth.  I sawed fast, smart and skillfully and Coppenahgen had nothing to do with it.  I was worried about how bad it would affect me to not have chew but the fact that I had some smokey mt in there took my mind right off of it and focusing on sawing.  Super cool.

Right on! Amazing how power equipment of all things doesn't seem to function unless it's operator has a lip full. Amazing the stuff you have to relearn, like cutting the grass. Or using a chainsaw. Enjoy today's victory!

It's just the culture around it. When running a saw you are expected to dip. everyone does it. It's the whole lemur and cliff scenario all over again. I wanted to be cool to all the people that ran saws so I jumped off a bridge with them. It was actually easier physically because I wasn't so damn thirsty all the time.

I'm amazed at how many different 'groups' there are that self identify with dipping as a cultural thing. Chainsaw operators is a new one on me, but I'll believe it. Oilfield workers of all stripes? That was me. But there's lawyers, businessmen, firefighters, cops, military, ag, I mean the list just goes on of groups that identify dipping as a cultural thing to them. In the end though it's an individual choice to use and an individual choice to be quit. Proud to quit with you today Pat.

[Minny]

Screw Cool.  i bet they wont think its cool when your still cutting down trees with the saw and they are laid up in the hospital bed with half their face missing.  You keep up the good fight and dont cave to peer pressure tell peer pressure to F... off and die aint nobody got time for that.  I commend you on your fight and if i can help in any way let me know.

Keep your quit and soon enough you will be their hero (paraphrasing srans). No nic addict with a brain is actually proud of it. I'm thrilled to see you kicking ass Funk!

[Reaper]

Screw Cool. i bet they wont think its cool when your still cutting down trees with the saw and they are laid up in the hospital bed with half their face missing. You keep up the good fight and dont cave to peer pressure tell peer pressure to F... off and die aint nobody got time for that. I commend you on your fight and if i can help in any way let me know.

[Funktronic42]

Another great victory for me today.  I ran a chainsaw for most of the day was not compelled too heavily to want tobacco in my mouth.  I sawed fast, smart and skillfully and Coppenahgen had nothing to do with it.  I was worried about how bad it would affect me to not have chew but the fact that I had some smokey mt in there took my mind right off of it and focusing on sawing.  Super cool.

Right on! Amazing how power equipment of all things doesn't seem to function unless it's operator has a lip full. Amazing the stuff you have to relearn, like cutting the grass. Or using a chainsaw. Enjoy today's victory!

It's just the culture around it. When running a saw you are expected to dip. everyone does it. It's the whole lemur and cliff scenario all over again. I wanted to be cool to all the people that ran saws so I jumped off a bridge with them. It was actually easier physically because I wasn't so damn thirsty all the time.

[Funktronic42]

Another great victory for me today.  I ran a chainsaw for most of the day was not compelled too heavily to want tobacco in my mouth.  I sawed fast, smart and skillfully and Coppenahgen had nothing to do with it.  I was worried about how bad it would affect me to not have chew but the fact that I had some smokey mt in there took my mind right off of it and focusing on sawing.  Super cool.

Copenhagen NEVER had anything to do with you skillfully running a chainsaw.

You just THINK it did. You brainwashed yourself into thinking it did. Hell everyone on this site thought chew was responsible for our ability to do or enjoy certain things.

That's bullshit.

The only reason we think/thought that way is because we were addicted to nicotine and we needed to fill the supposed void and relieve the withdrawal pangs that our addiction created.

Nicotine fills NO voids, it creates them. Try to remember that.

Ability does not come in a can. Concentration does not come in a can. Relaxation does not come from a can. Courage does not come in a can. That all comes from within. How else do you explain how non users function and live happy productive lives?

I know its hard but try and wrap your brain around the FACT that chew NEVER made any aspect of your life better and did nothing to help you concentrate or calm your nerves. In fact it was methodically destroying them. One of the great things about freeing yourself from this slavery will be the the return of your confidence and self assurance. I think you felt a little of that today. That is AWESOME. The better news is that as time goes on you will realize it more and more.

Keep it up!

Stay quit...

What you say is true. My wife and I were talking about my stress levels since I have been quit. She has noticed that I have been better at coping with the stresses of everyday life since I quit. I have had fewer anxiety problems. All around I have been mentally healthier since quitting.

Chew made me less awesome everything.

[Mike from AB]

Another great victory for me today. I ran a chainsaw for most of the day was not compelled too heavily to want tobacco in my mouth. I sawed fast, smart and skillfully and Coppenahgen had nothing to do with it. I was worried about how bad it would affect me to not have chew but the fact that I had some smokey mt in there took my mind right off of it and focusing on sawing. Super cool.

Right on! Amazing how power equipment of all things doesn't seem to function unless it's operator has a lip full. Amazing the stuff you have to relearn, like cutting the grass. Or using a chainsaw. Enjoy today's victory!

[Diesel2112]

Another great victory for me today. I ran a chainsaw for most of the day was not compelled too heavily to want tobacco in my mouth. I sawed fast, smart and skillfully and Coppenahgen had nothing to do with it. I was worried about how bad it would affect me to not have chew but the fact that I had some smokey mt in there took my mind right off of it and focusing on sawing. Super cool.

Copenhagen NEVER had anything to do with you skillfully running a chainsaw.

You just THINK it did. You brainwashed yourself into thinking it did. Hell everyone on this site thought chew was responsible for our ability to do or enjoy certain things.

That's bullshit.

The only reason we think/thought that way is because we were addicted to nicotine and we needed to fill the supposed void and relieve the withdrawal pangs that our addiction created.

Nicotine fills NO voids, it creates them. Try to remember that.

Ability does not come in a can. Concentration does not come in a can. Relaxation does not come from a can. Courage does not come in a can. That all comes from within. How else do you explain how non users function and live happy productive lives?

I know its hard but try and wrap your brain around the FACT that chew NEVER made any aspect of your life better and did nothing to help you concentrate or calm your nerves. In fact it was methodically destroying them. One of the great things about freeing yourself from this slavery will be the the return of your confidence and self assurance. I think you felt a little of that today. That is AWESOME. The better news is that as time goes on you will realize it more and more.

Keep it up!

Stay quit...