Greetings all. Great site, great purpose.
I'm 38, married, 2 young kids, and kicking the habit again!
Picked up Kodiak in the early 90's when I went through basic training and couldn't get away with smoking. Kicked the habit in 2005 when my soon to be wife finally caught on to my ninja act(new term I found on the site). Knowing our wedding plans could be in jeopardy, I quit cold turkey and used some of the fake mint chew to get through tough times. (like float trips when it was just natural and others around me were chewing.)
Managed to stay off 3 years until had the worst day at work ever in Nov 2007. Went out for a drive with a friend and had one of his smokes. Although I didn't lose my job, it changed significantly and found I had lots of time on my hands which became lot's of smoke breaks. Eventually smoke lead to chew and I was back on.
Changed jobs but found too many excuses (usually stress) to quit, although did manage to drop the smokes.
My wife has repeatedly caught me and it has been a vicious cycle. (Stress keeps me chewing but the chewing is adding to the stress at home)
I've managed to cut back to about 3 cans a week and have been trying the nicotine gum, but still go back to sneaking a chew at work or at night, so that's not been succesful. Finally ordered some of the Mint Snuff this week and it came in yesterday. Tomorrow (Saturday 8/8/09) is my official quit day, that I announced to my wife this morning, but having read through some of the other posts on here, I'm feeling a little better about walking down to the restroom and dumping my "last can" of Kodiak now.
Thanks to those who established the site and all those who have shared their stories, it certainly helps as I get ready to take that long road again.
Thanks
Jack
