General Discussion - 2020

[GS9502]

The June 2020 Conductors commented on their June 3 post that we are and always will be addicts, at 100 days clean or 10,000 days clean. I can't argue that point. We are what we are.

This morning I heard a musician on the radio talking about his group's song "Sober" and how addiction tears families apart. Can't argue that, either. It does, but what about us?

Our addiction, the addiction to nicotine, is almost an "acceptable" addiction. We know we're addicted to nicotine, either through smoking or dipping or both; our families know we're addicted; our friends know we're addicted (unless, of course, we hid our addiction). Our addiction is sugar-coated, though, being called a "nasty habit." When is the last time you overheard someone whisper about you, "Oh, he's a nicotine addict. Bless his family. I hope he can get some help."

Probably never, right? Our addiction isn't looked at the same way a heroin addiction or alcohol addiction is, and should it be? Our addictions won't land us in jail or rehab like other addictions, so is it as bad? On a flight to Europe last year, I was jonesing for a dip as much as a meth addict would be jonesing for a hit. I couldn't sleep, I could barely sit still, I couldn't focus on shit or enjoy the excitement of going to Europe for the first time, all because I wanted a dip so bad. But, yeah, it's just a nasty habit.

I'll tell you where our addiction will land you...in chemo treatments or in the grave, or both.

My dipping never threatened to tear my family apart; it may have caused a few head shakes and eye rolls at worst. The monetary cost of my "habit" was more of a focus than the possible health cost of my addiction. I'll probably never be called a "recovering nicotine addict," and that's okay. I know I am, and so does my family, and that's enough.

Society may see nicotine abuse (because that's really what it is) as an acceptable addiction, if they call it that at all, but I chose not to accept it anymore. One day at a time, I'm beating my addiction; I'm breaking my habit. Done, bitch. No more.

[chris2alaska]

Need some help from those old timers that quit, even after believing for YEARS that they couldn't...

I've been dipping for 20 years and it has taken it's toll on me. I've tried many many times to quit. In the early days, I tried patches, medication, gum and even shots of belladonna behind the ears. In recent years, I've tied and really (honestly) they have been half-hearted attempts. I just haven't believed I could quit. There have been times where I have gone days (up to 7) without, but eventually (and quite easily) caved.

My question for the old timers is - how did you do quit, even after believing you could not do it?

I'm ready to work at the quit. I don't want to fuck it up this time. Need help. Please.

Thanks in advance and my honest respect for all you guys and gals that have rid your lives of tobacco.

Whether one has used nicotine for 1 year of 40 years, they are both addicts. Addictions require constant action by the addict to keep their addiction from controlling them. Here at KTC we focus on being quit TODAY. Anyone can quit for one day. Saying no to nicotine 24 hours at a time is the constant action required to be QUIT.

When I joined KTC over 4 years ago I didn't believe I could quit. But I knew I could make and keep a promise for 24 hours so I dove in. Don't worry about tomorrow or next month or next year. Quit TODAY. It's all we can control.

I encourage you, @MDStriker, to go post roll in the September 2020 group and start this journey today. You CAN do it. Now go and prove it to yourself.

@MDStriker MNxEngineer speaks the truth.  I dipped for over 31 years.  I did not ever really try to quit except one time I stopped for 9 months.  When I decided to actually quit, I made the decision for myself and no one else.  Quitting for someone else (i.e spouse, kids, etc.) will more than likely lead to failing.  Once you decide to quit for you and you alone, it becomes quite a bit easier to make that daily promise the MNx spoke about.

Choose to quit for you, then go post your promise to be be nicotine free for the next 24 hours in the September 2020 group.  After you post roll call, start to get to know your fellow quitters, exchange phone numbers through private message.  Having and giving out phone numbers is how we hold each other accountable.  If someone is missing by a certain time of day, their phone blows up with their quit brothers calling and texting them to find out where they are and get their ass on roll.

Roll Call is our daily promise to abstain from nicotine.  We make that promise first thing in the morning after our morning piss (Wake Up, Piss, Post - WUPP).
Then we keep our promise and use those phone numbers for instant support if we are having bad craves. 

This program works by a simple equation - Brotherhood + Accountability = Success.

The brotherhood is the connections you will make with your group and some of the vets through conversation here and personal phone calls and texts and also face to face meet ups with fellow quitters.  The accountability is everyone making sure that everyone is accounted for each day, hunting down anyone that is late and having them explain why they are late or missing.  THose conversations can be abrupt for some people, but know that no one is attacking any one personally, we are attacking the addict inside the person.  The addict will make you think and speak things that any normal person would balk at, so we call out all addict behavior when we see it, and sometimes it can look to personal, but its not.  There is saying here, "Take what you need and leave the rest".  Just means to use what ever works to stay nicotine free and forget the rest of the bs drama. 

So what say you?  Are you ready to quit nicotine and regain your freedom or are going to continue to be nicotine's slave and slowly kill yourself?

The choice is yours.  My digits are available for the asking, so feel free to hit me up.

[MN_Engineer]

Need some help from those old timers that quit, even after believing for YEARS that they couldn't...

I've been dipping for 20 years and it has taken it's toll on me. I've tried many many times to quit. In the early days, I tried patches, medication, gum and even shots of belladonna behind the ears. In recent years, I've tied and really (honestly) they have been half-hearted attempts. I just haven't believed I could quit. There have been times where I have gone days (up to 7) without, but eventually (and quite easily) caved.

My question for the old timers is - how did you do quit, even after believing you could not do it?

I'm ready to work at the quit. I don't want to fuck it up this time. Need help. Please.

Thanks in advance and my honest respect for all you guys and gals that have rid your lives of tobacco.

Whether one has used nicotine for 1 year of 40 years, they are both addicts. Addictions require constant action by the addict to keep their addiction from controlling them. Here at KTC we focus on being quit TODAY. Anyone can quit for one day. Saying no to nicotine 24 hours at a time is the constant action required to be QUIT.

When I joined KTC over 4 years ago I didn't believe I could quit. But I knew I could make and keep a promise for 24 hours so I dove in. Don't worry about tomorrow or next month or next year. Quit TODAY. It's all we can control.

I encourage you, @MDStriker, to go post roll in the September 2020 group and start this journey today. You CAN do it. Now go and prove it to yourself.

[MDStriker]

Need some help from those old timers that quit, even after believing for YEARS that they couldn't...

I've been dipping for 20 years and it has taken it's toll on me. I've tried many many times to quit. In the early days, I tried patches, medication, gum and even shots of belladonna behind the ears. In recent years, I've tied and really (honestly) they have been half-hearted attempts. I just haven't believed I could quit. There have been times where I have gone days (up to 7) without, but eventually (and quite easily) caved.

My question for the old timers is - how did you do quit, even after believing you could not do it?

I'm ready to work at the quit. I don't want to fuck it up this time. Need help. Please.

Thanks in advance and my honest respect for all you guys and gals that have rid your lives of tobacco.

[chewie]

I just quit few days ago. When i breathe in or out strongly then sound comes apparently from lungs.  Has anyone experienced this?

You mean you're 'wheezing'?

Were you a smoker or a dipper?

[Bobby24365]

I just quit few days ago. When i breathe in or out strongly then sound comes apparently from lungs.  Has anyone experienced this?

[Hunter4life]

Does anyone know how to make a “fresh roll” link to put in our group? I’m not sure how to go about doing that. Also, how do I get SSOA access. This is for our Jan 20 Juggs group. Thanks in advance.

Never mind. I figured it out.

[Hunter4life]

Does anyone know how to make a “fresh roll” link to put in our group? I’m not sure how to go about doing that. Also, how do I get SSOA access. This is for our Jan 20 Juggs group. Thanks in advance.

[MN_Engineer]

Fellow quitters,

I’m looking for advices...

I got this bug and it’s a bug like no other. I want to live aboard a boat with my wife and daughter.

Looking for advice from anyone who has experience with this. Basically, I’m looking at three different vessel types, a trawler, a monohull sailboat, and a catamaran sailboat.

Realistically I would spend 80% of my time in a bay or marina but I would like the option to take off and travel if our situation changed.

It could be the worst idea I’ve ever had, but it could also be the best. Never know until you go for it.

I have zero advice to give you but best of luck! Just curious, what does your wife and daughter think of this idea?!

[Menardo]

Fellow quitters,

I’m looking for advices...

I got this bug and it’s a bug like no other. I want to live aboard a boat with my wife and daughter.

Looking for advice from anyone who has experience with this. Basically, I’m looking at three different vessel types, a trawler, a monohull sailboat, and a catamaran sailboat.

Realistically I would spend 80% of my time in a bay or marina but I would like the option to take off and travel if our situation changed.

It could be the worst idea I’ve ever had, but it could also be the best. Never know until you go for it.

[chewie]

Happy Mother's Day Moms!

[danojeno]

Is there a site out there similar to KTC for Cigarettes? I have a daughter that is finally thinking about quitting smoking. Like her Dad she can be a tough nut to crack and needs the adult supervision offered by KTC. Any help or direction is appreciated.
Olcpo

I spose, if you're comfortable with it, to send her here. We've got lots of cigarette smokers here. While the site name is 'kill the CAN' we recognize that the battle is truly against nicotine... not necessarily the delivery method.

Other than that, there's a few out there but they are nearly all funded by a hospital system / insurance carrier... take that for what it's worth.

Thanks Chewie I will suggest and she can choose. Appreciate it.

@olcpo

FLLipout is a female ex-smoker that uses this site to remain nicotine free.

Great, Chris @chris2alaska ! Good to know. She is a tremendous member. As Chewie said Nicotine is nicotine, The Quit is the same. I forwarded the stuff her, from there its hers. If she signs up I will send FLLip's way. Thanks

Send her my way @olcpo  ! 

I searched a while for online smoking communities to join.  My neighbor, FishFlorida told me about KTC and (thankfully) rode my ass until I signed up!  There is nothing like KTC out there - the "Brotherhood + Accountability = Success" model just works in a way that no other quit model does.  But you already knew that.

The smoking cessation sites were, well, "nice."  If you caved you got an oh darn, that's too bad, "you'll get 'em next time, sport" type responses.  If you called out a caver with ...well, tough words... you were labelled a bully.  One day a guy who had already caved twice, caved again...  the responses were predictably "nice"...then one person wrote "well, maybe you should take a break until you are ready."  I thought WTF - you don't tell an addict that!!!  I was a new member of KTC and had posted my first roll within the hour.

I dragged my feet for a while because I was a smoker and I was afraid I would not be welcomed here.  Then Fish started a discussion in August 2016 to see how everyone there felt about it.  All were pretty supportive.  Then @danojeno  posted something supportive -  he was an active Mod at the time-  and that sealed the deal.  I'm tagging him here because I never properly thanked him for it.

@FLLipOut Thanks! I sent her the stuff/info. Then I explained the daily promise and gave her my promise. She has not given me her promise yet and continues to waffle. I support her and continue to ask. I am glad she didnt give me some bs word and keep smoking. I told her to be sure she was ready to quit before signing up here cuz they won't put up with your excuses and crap. You screw up and you pay. I may have scared her off, but she is an addict like me and has quit a lot, like me. Single Mom raising 2 kids on her own working full time now home schooling...but I asked her how nicotine was helping her, really and she is pondering that, when she is ready I will send her your way. It's tough I know. I appreciate your help

As we know, nicotine is delivered in many ways.  This place could just as easily be called kill the pack or kill the stupid vape pen, or whatever other way we've chosen to kill ourselves.  Many of us have migrated from one form to another during our addiction.  If she's a tough nut, you know this is the place.  We've had many folks crush the pack here and I'm glad I said something that resonated enough with one to encourage them along.

[olcpo]

Is there a site out there similar to KTC for Cigarettes? I have a daughter that is finally thinking about quitting smoking. Like her Dad she can be a tough nut to crack and needs the adult supervision offered by KTC. Any help or direction is appreciated.
Olcpo

I spose, if you're comfortable with it, to send her here. We've got lots of cigarette smokers here. While the site name is 'kill the CAN' we recognize that the battle is truly against nicotine... not necessarily the delivery method.

Other than that, there's a few out there but they are nearly all funded by a hospital system / insurance carrier... take that for what it's worth.

Thanks Chewie I will suggest and she can choose. Appreciate it.

@olcpo

FLLipout is a female ex-smoker that uses this site to remain nicotine free.

Great, Chris @chris2alaska ! Good to know. She is a tremendous member. As Chewie said Nicotine is nicotine, The Quit is the same. I forwarded the stuff her, from there its hers. If she signs up I will send FLLip's way. Thanks

Send her my way @olcpo  ! 

I searched a while for online smoking communities to join.  My neighbor, FishFlorida told me about KTC and (thankfully) rode my ass until I signed up!  There is nothing like KTC out there - the "Brotherhood + Accountability = Success" model just works in a way that no other quit model does.  But you already knew that.

The smoking cessation sites were, well, "nice."  If you caved you got an oh darn, that's too bad, "you'll get 'em next time, sport" type responses.  If you called out a caver with ...well, tough words... you were labelled a bully.  One day a guy who had already caved twice, caved again...  the responses were predictably "nice"...then one person wrote "well, maybe you should take a break until you are ready."  I thought WTF - you don't tell an addict that!!!  I was a new member of KTC and had posted my first roll within the hour.

I dragged my feet for a while because I was a smoker and I was afraid I would not be welcomed here.  Then Fish started a discussion in August 2016 to see how everyone there felt about it.  All were pretty supportive.  Then @danojeno  posted something supportive -  he was an active Mod at the time-  and that sealed the deal.  I'm tagging him here because I never properly thanked him for it.

@FLLipOut Thanks! I sent her the stuff/info. Then I explained the daily promise and gave her my promise. She has not given me her promise yet and continues to waffle. I support her and continue to ask. I am glad she didnt give me some bs word and keep smoking. I told her to be sure she was ready to quit before signing up here cuz they won't put up with your excuses and crap. You screw up and you pay. I may have scared her off, but she is an addict like me and has quit a lot, like me. Single Mom raising 2 kids on her own working full time now home schooling...but I asked her how nicotine was helping her, really and she is pondering that, when she is ready I will send her your way. It's tough I know. I appreciate your help

[FLLipOut]

Is there a site out there similar to KTC for Cigarettes? I have a daughter that is finally thinking about quitting smoking. Like her Dad she can be a tough nut to crack and needs the adult supervision offered by KTC. Any help or direction is appreciated.
Olcpo

I spose, if you're comfortable with it, to send her here. We've got lots of cigarette smokers here. While the site name is 'kill the CAN' we recognize that the battle is truly against nicotine... not necessarily the delivery method.

Other than that, there's a few out there but they are nearly all funded by a hospital system / insurance carrier... take that for what it's worth.

Thanks Chewie I will suggest and she can choose. Appreciate it.

@olcpo

FLLipout is a female ex-smoker that uses this site to remain nicotine free.

Great, Chris @chris2alaska ! Good to know. She is a tremendous member. As Chewie said Nicotine is nicotine, The Quit is the same. I forwarded the stuff her, from there its hers. If she signs up I will send FLLip's way. Thanks

Send her my way @olcpo  ! 

I searched a while for online smoking communities to join.  My neighbor, FishFlorida told me about KTC and (thankfully) rode my ass until I signed up!  There is nothing like KTC out there - the "Brotherhood + Accountability = Success" model just works in a way that no other quit model does.  But you already knew that.

The smoking cessation sites were, well, "nice."  If you caved you got an oh darn, that's too bad, "you'll get 'em next time, sport" type responses.  If you called out a caver with ...well, tough words... you were labelled a bully.  One day a guy who had already caved twice, caved again...  the responses were predictably "nice"...then one person wrote "well, maybe you should take a break until you are ready."  I thought WTF - you don't tell an addict that!!!  I was a new member of KTC and had posted my first roll within the hour.

I dragged my feet for a while because I was a smoker and I was afraid I would not be welcomed here.  Then Fish started a discussion in August 2016 to see how everyone there felt about it.  All were pretty supportive.  Then @danojeno  posted something supportive -  he was an active Mod at the time-  and that sealed the deal.  I'm tagging him here because I never properly thanked him for it.

[olcpo]

Is there a site out there similar to KTC for Cigarettes? I have a daughter that is finally thinking about quitting smoking. Like her Dad she can be a tough nut to crack and needs the adult supervision offered by KTC. Any help or direction is appreciated.
Olcpo

I spose, if you're comfortable with it, to send her here. We've got lots of cigarette smokers here. While the site name is 'kill the CAN' we recognize that the battle is truly against nicotine... not necessarily the delivery method.

Other than that, there's a few out there but they are nearly all funded by a hospital system / insurance carrier... take that for what it's worth.

Thanks Chewie I will suggest and she can choose. Appreciate it.

@olcpo

FLLipout is a female ex-smoker that uses this site to remain nicotine free.

Great, Chris @chris2alaska ! Good to know. She is a tremendous member. As Chewie said Nicotine is nicotine, The Quit is the same. I forwarded the stuff her, from there its hers. If she signs up I will send FLLip's way. Thanks