Introduction

[J2b]

Indeed, 500 is bad ass. All or most of the "trigger myths" have been debunked - seasonal, life, etc. If you havent experienced it without dip in 500 days, you know from the evidence that any thought about it being better, easier, less painful, more fun, etc with poison in your lip is a flat out a lie being told to you by a shadow of your past.

In fact, just the opposite is true. Now you can invest in the moment instead of looking ahead to that next lip full of dirt. Now you can really just be "there." I dont know how better to explain it. No more constant thinking about the next moment, or how to break free to get your fix. Your fix is whatever you are doing.

Congrats on 500, and trust me when I say it just keeps getting better.

[Thumblewort]

500 is amazing.

[brettlees]

500 days without nicotine.

On a daily basis I have no cravings whatsoever.

New quitters, stay the course. It gets so much easier.

500 seems so far out there at 15 days. But I gotta say I feel much better at 15 days than 3. I know one day at a time. For a new guy, a half comma is stratosphere material. Congrats.

Done4Me's post is perfect. Man I remember almost being pissed at people posting numbers like 500 when I started. I mean, really... These bad asses can't be for real...

Welcome to the land of bad ass-ery, Ryan. Seems like a dream. I went back again and read your first couple of pages... And today more than ever... Nicotine can fuck off! Thanks for bringing me along... I wouldn't have made it without your help.

Nice 5 hundy. Don't it feel good to be free?

Quit on....

NICE 500 'oh yeah'

Nice 500! It's always good when you post up your insights!

[traumagnet]

500 days without nicotine.

On a daily basis I have no cravings whatsoever.

New quitters, stay the course. It gets so much easier.

500 seems so far out there at 15 days. But I gotta say I feel much better at 15 days than 3. I know one day at a time. For a new guy, a half comma is stratosphere material. Congrats.

Done4Me's post is perfect. Man I remember almost being pissed at people posting numbers like 500 when I started. I mean, really... These bad asses can't be for real...

Welcome to the land of bad ass-ery, Ryan. Seems like a dream. I went back again and read your first couple of pages... And today more than ever... Nicotine can fuck off! Thanks for bringing me along... I wouldn't have made it without your help.

Nice 5 hundy. Don't it feel good to be free?

Quit on....

NICE 500 'oh yeah'

[Diesel2112]

500 days without nicotine.

On a daily basis I have no cravings whatsoever.

New quitters, stay the course. It gets so much easier.

500 seems so far out there at 15 days. But I gotta say I feel much better at 15 days than 3. I know one day at a time. For a new guy, a half comma is stratosphere material. Congrats.

Done4Me's post is perfect. Man I remember almost being pissed at people posting numbers like 500 when I started. I mean, really... These bad asses can't be for real...

Welcome to the land of bad ass-ery, Ryan. Seems like a dream. I went back again and read your first couple of pages... And today more than ever... Nicotine can fuck off! Thanks for bringing me along... I wouldn't have made it without your help.

Nice 5 hundy. Don't it feel good to be free?

Quit on....

[worktowin]

500 days without nicotine.

On a daily basis I have no cravings whatsoever.

New quitters, stay the course. It gets so much easier.

500 seems so far out there at 15 days. But I gotta say I feel much better at 15 days than 3. I know one day at a time. For a new guy, a half comma is stratosphere material. Congrats.

Done4Me's post is perfect. Man I remember almost being pissed at people posting numbers like 500 when I started. I mean, really... These bad asses can't be for real...

Welcome to the land of bad ass-ery, Ryan. Seems like a dream. I went back again and read your first couple of pages... And today more than ever... Nicotine can fuck off! Thanks for bringing me along... I wouldn't have made it without your help.

[Done4Me]

500 days without nicotine.

On a daily basis I have no cravings whatsoever.

New quitters, stay the course. It gets so much easier.

500 seems so far out there at 15 days. But I gotta say I feel much better at 15 days than 3. I know one day at a time. For a new guy, a half comma is stratosphere material. Congrats.

[Its_Got2Happen]

500 days without nicotine.

On a daily basis I have no cravings whatsoever.

New quitters, stay the course. It gets so much easier.

[jake frawley]

457 days quit.  Cruising through my second spring without the poison.  Kicking ass and taking names.  Things are different.  Things are better.  Can't believe HOF was almost one year ago.  Most days I hardly even think of dipping at all. 

No more rancid spitters.
No more sitting in my truck alone at lunch time.
No more hiding from wife in the garage until all hours.
No more lying to my kids and hiding. 
No more scraping white shit off my cheek each Monday morning after a weekend of heavy use.
No more lying to myself and when I am gonna quit for good.
No more blowing 8 bucks/day on those nasty death cans.
No more pointless long drives.
No more rushing through kids bed time routine and reading Berenstein Bear books at warp speed.
No more fear of going to the dentist.
No more staying up 30 minutes later than my wife just to get that last one in.
I could go on and on.

Everything is different now.  Everything is better now.  QLF, one day at a time.

Ryan

It's really kind of amazing how something that seemed so hard... Impossible... Is now not only possible, but normal. Easy? Life isn't easy... But there is a point where quitting is no longer a struggle. It is part of the day. Not the balls slamming in the drawer routine, but just a normal part of the day.

Actually, an enjoyable part of the day!!! After 20 years of losing... Day after day after day after day... Years of promising "this is it" only to fail again and again and again... And throwing away $8 * 365 * 20 on poisonous plant... Damn it feels good to win! The little struggles here and there are now reminders of the consistent wins that you are enjoying on an endeavor that not so long ago seemed hopeless.

I hope a new quitter reads the first few posts on this thread and then the last one. It is so worth the fight.

Well done Ryan.

As i read these posts from two of the guys that started here a little before me i think of the circle of quit. I've not been posting as much lately, but last year at this time we were waging war. You can read intro after intro here and see that same war we had begun and how hard we fought daily. Now you can read this intro and see that the battle after time gets easier and easier.

If your discouraged and the emotional rollercoaster has wore you down read this intro from the beginning until now. Read other intros like worktowins or myself. Read our hof speaches. Read erussell's, and traumas's, intro. There are a lot more and if you read these you will see those. The circle of quit had just begun for us.

These are a few that stick out at me right now. A year ago we were battling like a lot of you are now.

Just know it gets easier. We no longer have to struggle just to make it to the end of the day to remain quit. We begin the day by posting roll and at the end of the day we are still quit. We may fight an occasional crave, but for the most part the day is just that. QUIT!

i end with this. Post roll, keep your word all day. Wake up and repeat. It's worth it, read this and believe it.

If these 3 ^^^^^^^^^ say it, Its gospel! Power house quitters right here! Glad you guys stay here and lead. Thank you!

[srans]

457 days quit.  Cruising through my second spring without the poison.  Kicking ass and taking names.  Things are different.  Things are better.  Can't believe HOF was almost one year ago.  Most days I hardly even think of dipping at all. 

No more rancid spitters.
No more sitting in my truck alone at lunch time.
No more hiding from wife in the garage until all hours.
No more lying to my kids and hiding. 
No more scraping white shit off my cheek each Monday morning after a weekend of heavy use.
No more lying to myself and when I am gonna quit for good.
No more blowing 8 bucks/day on those nasty death cans.
No more pointless long drives.
No more rushing through kids bed time routine and reading Berenstein Bear books at warp speed.
No more fear of going to the dentist.
No more staying up 30 minutes later than my wife just to get that last one in.
I could go on and on.

Everything is different now.  Everything is better now.  QLF, one day at a time.

Ryan

It's really kind of amazing how something that seemed so hard... Impossible... Is now not only possible, but normal. Easy? Life isn't easy... But there is a point where quitting is no longer a struggle. It is part of the day. Not the balls slamming in the drawer routine, but just a normal part of the day.

Actually, an enjoyable part of the day!!! After 20 years of losing... Day after day after day after day... Years of promising "this is it" only to fail again and again and again... And throwing away $8 * 365 * 20 on poisonous plant... Damn it feels good to win! The little struggles here and there are now reminders of the consistent wins that you are enjoying on an endeavor that not so long ago seemed hopeless.

I hope a new quitter reads the first few posts on this thread and then the last one. It is so worth the fight.

Well done Ryan.

As i read these posts from two of the guys that started here a little before me i think of the circle of quit. I've not been posting as much lately, but last year at this time we were waging war. You can read intro after intro here and see that same war we had begun and how hard we fought daily. Now you can read this intro and see that the battle after time gets easier and easier.

If your discouraged and the emotional rollercoaster has wore you down read this intro from the beginning until now. Read other intros like worktowins or myself. Read our hof speaches. Read erussell's, and traumas's, intro. There are a lot more and if you read these you will see those. The circle of quit had just begun for us.

These are a few that stick out at me right now. A year ago we were battling like a lot of you are now.

Just know it gets easier. We no longer have to struggle just to make it to the end of the day to remain quit. We begin the day by posting roll and at the end of the day we are still quit. We may fight an occasional crave, but for the most part the day is just that. QUIT!

i end with this. Post roll, keep your word all day. Wake up and repeat. It's worth it, read this and believe it.

[worktowin]

457 days quit. Cruising through my second spring without the poison. Kicking ass and taking names. Things are different. Things are better. Can't believe HOF was almost one year ago. Most days I hardly even think of dipping at all.

No more rancid spitters.
No more sitting in my truck alone at lunch time.
No more hiding from wife in the garage until all hours.
No more lying to my kids and hiding.
No more scraping white shit off my cheek each Monday morning after a weekend of heavy use.
No more lying to myself and when I am gonna quit for good.
No more blowing 8 bucks/day on those nasty death cans.
No more pointless long drives.
No more rushing through kids bed time routine and reading Berenstein Bear books at warp speed.
No more fear of going to the dentist.
No more staying up 30 minutes later than my wife just to get that last one in.
I could go on and on.

Everything is different now. Everything is better now. QLF, one day at a time.

Ryan

It's really kind of amazing how something that seemed so hard... Impossible... Is now not only possible, but normal. Easy? Life isn't easy... But there is a point where quitting is no longer a struggle. It is part of the day. Not the balls slamming in the drawer routine, but just a normal part of the day.

Actually, an enjoyable part of the day!!! After 20 years of losing... Day after day after day after day... Years of promising "this is it" only to fail again and again and again... And throwing away $8 * 365 * 20 on poisonous plant... Damn it feels good to win! The little struggles here and there are now reminders of the consistent wins that you are enjoying on an endeavor that not so long ago seemed hopeless.

I hope a new quitter reads the first few posts on this thread and then the last one. It is so worth the fight.

Well done Ryan.

[Its_Got2Happen]

457 days quit. Cruising through my second spring without the poison. Kicking ass and taking names. Things are different. Things are better. Can't believe HOF was almost one year ago. Most days I hardly even think of dipping at all.

No more rancid spitters.
No more sitting in my truck alone at lunch time.
No more hiding from wife in the garage until all hours.
No more lying to my kids and hiding.
No more scraping white shit off my cheek each Monday morning after a weekend of heavy use.
No more lying to myself and when I am gonna quit for good.
No more blowing 8 bucks/day on those nasty death cans.
No more pointless long drives.
No more rushing through kids bed time routine and reading Berenstein Bear books at warp speed.
No more fear of going to the dentist.
No more staying up 30 minutes later than my wife just to get that last one in.
I could go on and on.

Everything is different now. Everything is better now. QLF, one day at a time.

Ryan

[srans]

437 days

Felt pretty good about hitting 400 the other day and then all of a sudden, WHAM!!

Cravings like crazy.� Mind games.� I even had a drunken, reminiscing, self loathing pity fest one evening.� For a few minutes I thought about indulging and just posting up a day one.� A few weeks ago I was walking around a hunting expo and day dreaming about dip.� One of my best quit friends gave me a good kick in the balls and I got a grip on it and survived the night but it was an adventure nonetheless.

It is strange how a perfect storm of things can make one turn back toward addiction for some feeling of comfort or longing for normalcy.� However false that comfort might be.� I guess I will blame this weirdness on stress.� And perhaps the change of seasons.� There is just something about the smell of spring, the warm air and the longer days that triggers something in my head.� I have caught myself indulging in thoughts such as, "damn some grizzly wintergreen sounds good".� WTF, am I not beyond this?� I am really this weak?� Could I really fail now?

And then I realize these feelings for what they are.............BULLSHIT.� Thank God for this place, thank god for these people.� I have come to understand the truth about addiction.� It is forever.� Nicotine will continue to beckon me.� The nic bitch will whisper every now and then, "come back to me Ryan, I can help you, remember me".� I will continue to use these tools that I have learned.� They are polished and razor sharp.� I am getting pretty damn good at this quitting shit.� It all comes down to honesty.� Addicts can be experts in the art of rationalization.� I did it for decades.� No mas.� I have to call it like I see it now.� No lies.

I guess I am thankful for these reminders.� As the battles have now become so much easier it makes it easy to forget I am still at war.� I see how complacency can set in and make me vulnerable.� These reminders give me strength.� I look forward to the anniversary of my HOF in a couple weeks.� Cant believe it has been almost a year since then.� I am so fucking proud of myself.� Is that wrong?� There were times in my life when I thought I could NEVER get away from dipping.� It is amazing what one can accomplish when they put their mind to it.� Through in a little dose of brotherhood and accountability and BAM you have yourself a quitter.� Never again for any reason.

Quit on friends, quit on.

War. You know... I went to the ww1 museum here in kc a few weeks ago. Most of the people there were "old timers." Not ww1 obviously, but nearing 80. Many had on military hats or jackets. They were very quiet, somber, and holding back emotion. But... They were proud! I talked to several of them and thanked them for their service.

Same deal here. We will always wear evidence of this addiction. It is part of us, Ryan. We have fought long and hard, together, to get to this place. And once in a while , just as memories that these soldiers were having elicited an emotion, we should expect the same. These memories help remind us of the bullshit place we were in and are great motivators. A place we will never go back to if we post roll first thing every day and are men of integrity.

I'm really proud to be on the fog cutters team. Tough times never last. Tough people do. You've hot this, Ryan. One day at a time. See you on the roll again tomorrow.

You both are BAD ASS men who I personally pay a lot of attention too. Quit on and always remember the shit you fought through. Trust me...... The negative feeling after the dip is far worse then any twisted joy that can be attained. Your intelligence and integrity shows in your +1's. Focus on the freedom you have earned.

Agreed with Jake. Keep pressing on. You're one of several that I follow to keep me quit.

The difference now when we have the craves....We have a choice. You can choose to say, "no". What a great feeling. That's bad ass. Even in a perfect storm, you stay quit.

Nicotine can kiss it! 'Finger'

Going thru a time that seems like it would be easier if I still used nicotine. I cannot believe these thoughts persist.

It really doesn't matter though. I am no longer a product of my thoughts. Nor am I a product of my desires. I can now accept those thoughts and desires for what they are, and then move forward. Nicotine would help nothing. I know this. Thanks for all the texts last night. That was amazing.

I'm with you got2. The last two weeks i had the same thoughts. Last week was probably my most trying since quit. I'm actually a little relieved that last week didn't happen a year ago. I always say, i've seen people lose wives, lives, jobs and just about anything else and stay quit. Last week it was my time in the fire. Things have improved mentally for me this last week, but things will not be the same for while, if ever. I know that the poison wouldn't change any of that for the better. Life happens!!

We know what that life was like. We know what we had to go through to get where we are. I posted up and am quit with you today my friend. You use them digits if you need to. Quit with you any day.

[Its_Got2Happen]

437 days

Felt pretty good about hitting 400 the other day and then all of a sudden, WHAM!!

Cravings like crazy.  Mind games.  I even had a drunken, reminiscing, self loathing pity fest one evening.  For a few minutes I thought about indulging and just posting up a day one.  A few weeks ago I was walking around a hunting expo and day dreaming about dip.  One of my best quit friends gave me a good kick in the balls and I got a grip on it and survived the night but it was an adventure nonetheless.

It is strange how a perfect storm of things can make one turn back toward addiction for some feeling of comfort or longing for normalcy.  However false that comfort might be.  I guess I will blame this weirdness on stress.  And perhaps the change of seasons.  There is just something about the smell of spring, the warm air and the longer days that triggers something in my head.  I have caught myself indulging in thoughts such as, "damn some grizzly wintergreen sounds good".  WTF, am I not beyond this?  I am really this weak?  Could I really fail now?

And then I realize these feelings for what they are.............BULLSHIT.  Thank God for this place, thank god for these people.  I have come to understand the truth about addiction.  It is forever.  Nicotine will continue to beckon me.  The nic bitch will whisper every now and then, "come back to me Ryan, I can help you, remember me".  I will continue to use these tools that I have learned.  They are polished and razor sharp.  I am getting pretty damn good at this quitting shit.  It all comes down to honesty.  Addicts can be experts in the art of rationalization.  I did it for decades.  No mas.  I have to call it like I see it now.  No lies.

I guess I am thankful for these reminders.  As the battles have now become so much easier it makes it easy to forget I am still at war.  I see how complacency can set in and make me vulnerable.  These reminders give me strength.  I look forward to the anniversary of my HOF in a couple weeks.  Cant believe it has been almost a year since then.  I am so fucking proud of myself.  Is that wrong?  There were times in my life when I thought I could NEVER get away from dipping.  It is amazing what one can accomplish when they put their mind to it.  Through in a little dose of brotherhood and accountability and BAM you have yourself a quitter.  Never again for any reason.

Quit on friends, quit on.

War. You know... I went to the ww1 museum here in kc a few weeks ago. Most of the people there were "old timers."  Not ww1 obviously, but nearing 80. Many had on military hats or jackets. They were very quiet, somber, and holding back emotion. But... They were proud! I talked to several of them and thanked them for their service.

Same deal here. We will always wear evidence of this addiction. It is part of us, Ryan. We have fought long and hard, together, to get to this place. And once in a while , just as memories that these soldiers were having elicited an emotion, we should expect the same. These memories help remind us of the bullshit place we were in and are great motivators. A place we will never go back to if we post roll first thing every day and are men of integrity.

I'm really proud to be on the fog cutters team. Tough times never last. Tough people do. You've hot this, Ryan. One day at a time. See you on the roll again tomorrow.

You both are BAD ASS men who I personally pay a lot of attention too. Quit on and always remember the shit you fought through. Trust me...... The negative feeling after the dip is far worse then any twisted joy that can be attained. Your intelligence and integrity shows in your +1's. Focus on the freedom you have earned.

Agreed with Jake. Keep pressing on. You're one of several that I follow to keep me quit.

The difference now when we have the craves....We have a choice. You can choose to say, "no". What a great feeling. That's bad ass. Even in a perfect storm, you stay quit.

Nicotine can kiss it! 'Finger'

Going thru a time that seems like it would be easier if I still used nicotine. I cannot believe these thoughts persist.

It really doesn't matter though. I am no longer a product of my thoughts. Nor am I a product of my desires. I can now accept those thoughts and desires for what they are, and then move forward. Nicotine would help nothing. I know this. Thanks for all the texts last night. That was amazing.

[Mthomas3824]

437 days

Felt pretty good about hitting 400 the other day and then all of a sudden, WHAM!!

Cravings like crazy.  Mind games.  I even had a drunken, reminiscing, self loathing pity fest one evening.  For a few minutes I thought about indulging and just posting up a day one.  A few weeks ago I was walking around a hunting expo and day dreaming about dip.  One of my best quit friends gave me a good kick in the balls and I got a grip on it and survived the night but it was an adventure nonetheless.

It is strange how a perfect storm of things can make one turn back toward addiction for some feeling of comfort or longing for normalcy.  However false that comfort might be.  I guess I will blame this weirdness on stress.  And perhaps the change of seasons.  There is just something about the smell of spring, the warm air and the longer days that triggers something in my head.  I have caught myself indulging in thoughts such as, "damn some grizzly wintergreen sounds good".  WTF, am I not beyond this?  I am really this weak?  Could I really fail now?

And then I realize these feelings for what they are.............BULLSHIT.  Thank God for this place, thank god for these people.  I have come to understand the truth about addiction.  It is forever.  Nicotine will continue to beckon me.  The nic bitch will whisper every now and then, "come back to me Ryan, I can help you, remember me".  I will continue to use these tools that I have learned.  They are polished and razor sharp.  I am getting pretty damn good at this quitting shit.  It all comes down to honesty.  Addicts can be experts in the art of rationalization.  I did it for decades.  No mas.  I have to call it like I see it now.  No lies.

I guess I am thankful for these reminders.  As the battles have now become so much easier it makes it easy to forget I am still at war.  I see how complacency can set in and make me vulnerable.  These reminders give me strength.  I look forward to the anniversary of my HOF in a couple weeks.  Cant believe it has been almost a year since then.  I am so fucking proud of myself.  Is that wrong?  There were times in my life when I thought I could NEVER get away from dipping.  It is amazing what one can accomplish when they put their mind to it.  Through in a little dose of brotherhood and accountability and BAM you have yourself a quitter.  Never again for any reason.

Quit on friends, quit on.

War. You know... I went to the ww1 museum here in kc a few weeks ago. Most of the people there were "old timers." Not ww1 obviously, but nearing 80. Many had on military hats or jackets. They were very quiet, somber, and holding back emotion. But... They were proud! I talked to several of them and thanked them for their service.

Same deal here. We will always wear evidence of this addiction. It is part of us, Ryan. We have fought long and hard, together, to get to this place. And once in a while , just as memories that these soldiers were having elicited an emotion, we should expect the same. These memories help remind us of the bullshit place we were in and are great motivators. A place we will never go back to if we post roll first thing every day and are men of integrity.

I'm really proud to be on the fog cutters team. Tough times never last. Tough people do. You've hot this, Ryan. One day at a time. See you on the roll again tomorrow.

You both are BAD ASS men who I personally pay a lot of attention too. Quit on and always remember the shit you fought through. Trust me...... The negative feeling after the dip is far worse then any twisted joy that can be attained. Your intelligence and integrity shows in your +1's. Focus on the freedom you have earned.

Agreed with Jake. Keep pressing on. You're one of several that I follow to keep me quit.

The difference now when we have the craves....We have a choice. You can choose to say, "no". What a great feeling. That's bad ass. Even in a perfect storm, you stay quit.

Nicotine can kiss it! 'Finger'