I dipped for nearly 10 years. Now 5 months nicotine free.
I started dipping as a way to quit smoking, as I hated how cigarettes smoke was impossible to conceal. Also, I was beginning my career in law enforcement and it was a "macho" thing to do. I ended up dragging some friends into it too; sorry guys:(. Over the years i was kind of a secret dipper. Only close friends and co-workers new I indulged in the can. My family didnt even know. Over my dipping career I went through on avg 5 cans/week ....some less some more. I started on flavored skoal and after a couple years moved exclusively to cope LC. If work wouldn't allow tobacco then I slung pouches deep back and spit down the straw of a fast food soda cup (never got caught! Lol). When I consumed alcohol I would still prefer cigarettes, so I really smoked and dipped for 10 years.
How I Quit:
About 4 years in I tried to quit and lasted about 60 days, but i quit in secret and gave in when my temper started getting the best of me. (No kill the can.org)
I finally quit 5 months ago because I eventually stopped hiding my dirty secret and those who saw me dipping kept giving me hard time. One night a client of mine said, "man thats gonna kill you".... Heard that one before, but for some reason it stuck. I googled AA for smokeless tobacco and found "Kill the Can.org" I began reading about these horror stories and really feared myself into quitting. Plus it had been about a year since my last beer, so my quitting muscle was strong. Cold turkey baby... I had two weeks of tobacco withdrawals and about four months of overeating. I gained 25lbs in 4 months.
What i realized after quitting:
Fitness: Now that i know its for sure a kicked habit im in the gym again, but this time without nicotine in my blood. My workouts are great, i feel much better. Nicotine made me feel like hell while running. Its a new body without nicotine!
My personal life: I'm closer and more open with my family because i'm not trying sneak away to dip, or planning ahead to dip, or driving separate to dip, or not wanting to give rides or let people borrow my car for fear of them discovering dip bottles etc..
Career: I achieve more at work. Tobacco breaks just kill productivity. I am more available and less irritable. Before i just would look forward to my next dip and not what was at hand. I used to rush things, but now i'm not an addict so I focus better. I don't cut idiots slack anymore. I used to empathize/enable idiot's behavior. Before i'd just solve the problem for the day (short term band aid), cuz in reality i was just looking in the mirror. Now I take the time and see the facts much clearer than before. No excuses! Don't bullshit me or anyone else. It is only a negative and a life sucker being an addict of any kind. This tobacco shit is the worst thing going.
*Note: you probably can't quit tobacco if you still party or drink alcohol regularly. I have seen too many friends slip back into the tobacco hole after one night of drinking. Don't throw away your life and the hard work you put in to quit, just for one night.
I thought I wasn't strong enough to quit! You'll never know unless you try your hardest! Little ole me quit and it wasn't as hard as i thought it would be. You can probably quit too... just do your best and use your head.
God Bless you on your journey!
Flooshmander
Long Beach, CA