General Discussion - 2016

[kramer]

Been on and off with Copenhagen for the last 30 years. Tried several times and came back. Dumped my last can down the toilet tonight and starting off a Nicorette regime tomorrow. Planning on using the 12-week plan and then dropping the gum. For the first time I'm actually excited about my quit date rather than dreading it. This is a great site. Really feels like home just after reading a couple of the threads.

I'm on a roll of burning bridges, so I'll just keep on going...

I started my quit with Nicorette. I started with 40-4mg pieces, then bought a 110 piece 2mg box. I chewed something like 78 of those, and decided to quit all forms of nicotine.

I've been off Grizzly for more than a month, and I've been off Nicorette for more than a week. I look at is as a tapering off. It seems to be working for me.

As you have certainly picked up, the group here is very intolerant toward nicotine replacement, and I can certainly see their point. If you chew the gum, you're not giving up nicotine, you're giving up dip, and continuing the addiction.

This is how I approached it - I was very aware that GlaxoSmithKline were hoping that I would replace my loyalty to Grizzly with a loyalty to Nicorette. I approached my use of Nicorette with a high level of distrust. I was committed to not replacing one nicotine delivery system with another. But at least I was dosing myself in very measured amounts, and extending the period between pieces each week. In the middle of the fourth week, I decided I was done with the Nicorette, and decided to go nicotine free. And, so far so good.

Here you go - one guy in support of your plan. Just one work of caution - approach Nicorette with a great deal of skepticism. Don't trust her. Know that she has ulterior motives. She wants you every bit as badly as Cope did. Don't trust the 12 week recommendation. When you're ready, give it up.

Let the flaming begin...

you are not quit here until you stop ingesting nicotine in any form. no flaming, that is just how KTC works.

rdb, do you know on what date you stopped the Nicorette because that would be your actual quit date?

[southgafarmer]

day 1 for me today - about 4 hours to go and it will be onto day 2... if I can sleep tonight!

The sleep will come back eventually. Post roll first thing every day, keep your promise, and repeat. One day at a time, you can and will do this!

[Biologist42]

day 1 for me today - about 4 hours to go and it will be onto day 2... if I can sleep tonight!

[mcsnapper1]

I just had a horrible panic attack! I was sitting here at work on my computer, going through emails, and I ran my tongue between my lip and gums like I've done a billion times before. But, this time there was nothing there! I calmed down and am fine now, but it was a scary moment. Damn you bitch! Beat it. I AM DONE WITH YOU! Pack your shit and get out. Or don't pack your shit. I don't really care either way. I just need you gone.The free ride is over. As the mighty Led Zeppelin said "I should have quit you babe, a long time ago."

[KingNothing]

Been on and off with Copenhagen for the last 30 years. Tried several times and came back. Dumped my last can down the toilet tonight and starting off a Nicorette regime tomorrow. Planning on using the 12-week plan and then dropping the gum. For the first time I'm actually excited about my quit date rather than dreading it. This is a great site. Really feels like home just after reading a couple of the threads.

I'm on a roll of burning bridges, so I'll just keep on going...

I started my quit with Nicorette. I started with 40-4mg pieces, then bought a 110 piece 2mg box. I chewed something like 78 of those, and decided to quit all forms of nicotine.

I've been off Grizzly for more than a month, and I've been off Nicorette for more than a week. I look at is as a tapering off. It seems to be working for me.

As you have certainly picked up, the group here is very intolerant toward nicotine replacement, and I can certainly see their point. If you chew the gum, you're not giving up nicotine, you're giving up dip, and continuing the addiction.

This is how I approached it - I was very aware that GlaxoSmithKline were hoping that I would replace my loyalty to Grizzly with a loyalty to Nicorette. I approached my use of Nicorette with a high level of distrust. I was committed to not replacing one nicotine delivery system with another. But at least I was dosing myself in very measured amounts, and extending the period between pieces each week. In the middle of the fourth week, I decided I was done with the Nicorette, and decided to go nicotine free. And, so far so good.

Here you go - one guy in support of your plan. Just one work of caution - approach Nicorette with a great deal of skepticism. Don't trust her. Know that she has ulterior motives. She wants you every bit as badly as Cope did. Don't trust the 12 week recommendation. When you're ready, give it up.

Let the flaming begin...

No flaming here, RDB, but I think you've missed the point. I have never seen anywhere on these forums where someone said cold turkey is the only way to quit. Rather, cold turkey is the only way to quit HERE. I'm sure there are hundreds of thousands of people that have quit tobacco by using NRT. I'm also sure there are support groups out there somewhere that advocate it.

You won't find that here. We advocate cold turkey, because you aren't QUIT until you have stopped putting this stuff in your bloodstream. There are no "safe" forms of nicotine. Further, you aren't addicted to the dip, you are addicted to the nicotine. I know this because "fake" or tobacco-free dip is not nearly as hot of a seller as poison-laced dip.

I've seen it many times on here, and it rings true to me: You don't quit drinking alcohol by swapping beer for liquor. If it has alcohol, you're feeding the addiction.

Biro, if you're deadset on tapering, find somewhere that will support you while you taper and then if you still want to join us when you're actually quit, feel free. My unsolicited advice is to just rip that bandaid off young man. Don't taper and slowly pull on that bandaid until it pulls every hair off your arm, rip it off and get to healing. It truly works.

[RDB]

Been on and off with Copenhagen for the last 30 years. Tried several times and came back. Dumped my last can down the toilet tonight and starting off a Nicorette regime tomorrow. Planning on using the 12-week plan and then dropping the gum. For the first time I'm actually excited about my quit date rather than dreading it. This is a great site. Really feels like home just after reading a couple of the threads.

I'm on a roll of burning bridges, so I'll just keep on going...

I started my quit with Nicorette. I started with 40-4mg pieces, then bought a 110 piece 2mg box. I chewed something like 78 of those, and decided to quit all forms of nicotine.

I've been off Grizzly for more than a month, and I've been off Nicorette for more than a week. I look at is as a tapering off. It seems to be working for me.

As you have certainly picked up, the group here is very intolerant toward nicotine replacement, and I can certainly see their point. If you chew the gum, you're not giving up nicotine, you're giving up dip, and continuing the addiction.

This is how I approached it - I was very aware that GlaxoSmithKline were hoping that I would replace my loyalty to Grizzly with a loyalty to Nicorette. I approached my use of Nicorette with a high level of distrust. I was committed to not replacing one nicotine delivery system with another. But at least I was dosing myself in very measured amounts, and extending the period between pieces each week. In the middle of the fourth week, I decided I was done with the Nicorette, and decided to go nicotine free. And, so far so good.

Here you go - one guy in support of your plan. Just one work of caution - approach Nicorette with a great deal of skepticism. Don't trust her. Know that she has ulterior motives. She wants you every bit as badly as Cope did. Don't trust the 12 week recommendation. When you're ready, give it up.

Let the flaming begin...

[KingNothing]

Been on and off with Copenhagen for the last 30 years. Tried several times and came back. Dumped my last can down the toilet tonight and starting off a Nicorette regime tomorrow. Planning on using the 12-week plan and then dropping the gum. For the first time I'm actually excited about my quit date rather than dreading it. This is a great site. Really feels like home just after reading a couple of the threads.

Biro, our problem is nicotine addiction. Swapping forms of nicotine intake from dip to gum solves nothing. A planned quit is an excuse to delay later... "Oh, the gum doesn't work". Plus a ramp down likely extends the suck and fog instead of reducing it. This site is based on cold turkey nicotine cessation for those reasons.

It takes roughly 72 hours for nicotine to wash out of your system, during that time you experience physical withdrawal. Why extend that for 12 weeks (84 days)? It is a recipe for a cave. Dump the gum as well, quit cold turkey and in 12 weeks you will be enjoying freedom instead of starting the suck (well maybe starting the suck, planned quits rarely happen).

I dipped a can a day of Copenhagen for over 30 years. I survived a cold turkey quit and am on day 262. You can too. Man up and do it.

Can't say it any better than this ^^^ Biro. It's scary as hell at first, but jump in with both feet. This site is a testament that it works.

[Nomore1959]

Been on and off with Copenhagen for the last 30 years. Tried several times and came back. Dumped my last can down the toilet tonight and starting off a Nicorette regime tomorrow. Planning on using the 12-week plan and then dropping the gum. For the first time I'm actually excited about my quit date rather than dreading it. This is a great site. Really feels like home just after reading a couple of the threads.

Biro, our problem is nicotine addiction. Swapping forms of nicotine intake from dip to gum solves nothing. A planned quit is an excuse to delay later... "Oh, the gum doesn't work". Plus a ramp down likely extends the suck and fog instead of reducing it. This site is based on cold turkey nicotine cessation for those reasons.

It takes roughly 72 hours for nicotine to wash out of your system, during that time you experience physical withdrawal. Why extend that for 12 weeks (84 days)? It is a recipe for a cave. Dump the gum as well, quit cold turkey and in 12 weeks you will be enjoying freedom instead of starting the suck (well maybe starting the suck, planned quits rarely happen).

I dipped a can a day of Copenhagen for over 30 years. I survived a cold turkey quit and am on day 262. You can too. Man up and do it.

[Biro]

Been on and off with Copenhagen for the last 30 years. Tried several times and came back. Dumped my last can down the toilet tonight and starting off a Nicorette regime tomorrow. Planning on using the 12-week plan and then dropping the gum. For the first time I'm actually excited about my quit date rather than dreading it. This is a great site. Really feels like home just after reading a couple of the threads.

[Idaho Spuds]

I just wanted to introduce myself, I just joined the site and am beginning my battle with quitting Grizzly Long Cut Straight! I have used chewing tobacco since I was 17 and have since then switched to snuff. It is my pleasure to say that today is my first day without any tobacco!

I hope that I can lean on someone in time of need! I know this is going to be very hard.

Congratulations on your decision.
First post roll in your quit group:
topic/11505241/69/
This is the backbone of the site. Help others, support others, learn and be supported.
Idaho Spuds 530

[Forester]

I just wanted to introduce myself, I just joined the site and am beginning my battle with quitting Grizzly Long Cut Straight! I have used chewing tobacco since I was 17 and have since then switched to snuff. It is my pleasure to say that today is my first day without any tobacco!

I hope that I can lean on someone in time of need! I know this is going to be very hard.

[drstober]

Question on weight gain.

Clearly it's difficult to snack when you have a mouthful of shit between your cheek and gum.

Now that my mouth is empty, I find myself snacking. A lot. I also justify it by the money I'm saving not buying the dip. I have at least three dollars a day I can throw to junk food now, and be money even. I'm guessing this isn't uncommon.

I was clicking around on this site yesterday, and found something that said that I'd have to gain 75 pounds before weight gain would be more dangerous to my health than to continue dipping. Fine. I don't see myself gaining 75 pounds, so I'm better off eating junk than dipping junk.

I know that eating healthfully takes the same kind of control and will power that quitting the dip takes. It's just that I'm kind of tapped out on control and will power at the moment.

It looks like I've gained about five pounds in the last month - that would be the month that I've been dip free, not nicotine free.

How many have struggled with weight gain while giving up the nic bitch? What did you do to turn it around?

Thanks

First, you're absolutely right that it's way more important to focus on quitting than to fuss over moderate weight gain. It happens and it's ok. You can fix that down the road when you don't have your hands full with the nic bitch.

Now, there are ways limit the weight gain. First, exercise helps with the quit. Don't go from couch potato to doing Insanity right away, but keeping active helps. Some folks liked to deal with craves by knocking out pushups or heading to the gym. General weight management tips like planning ahead by packing healthy snacks so you don't have to face the vending machine at all help too.

Me, I use gum instead of candy as my oral fix when I crave. I also find that now that I'm not buying nicotine, I don't spend hardly any time in convenience stores. That has significantly reduced my junk intake.

Bottom line though, focus on quit. That's what matters.

[RDB]

Question on weight gain.

Clearly it's difficult to snack when you have a mouthful of shit between your cheek and gum.

Now that my mouth is empty, I find myself snacking. A lot. I also justify it by the money I'm saving not buying the dip. I have at least three dollars a day I can throw to junk food now, and be money even. I'm guessing this isn't uncommon.

I was clicking around on this site yesterday, and found something that said that I'd have to gain 75 pounds before weight gain would be more dangerous to my health than to continue dipping. Fine. I don't see myself gaining 75 pounds, so I'm better off eating junk than dipping junk.

I know that eating healthfully takes the same kind of control and will power that quitting the dip takes. It's just that I'm kind of tapped out on control and will power at the moment.

It looks like I've gained about five pounds in the last month - that would be the month that I've been dip free, not nicotine free.

How many have struggled with weight gain while giving up the nic bitch? What did you do to turn it around?

Thanks

[Nomore1959]

Not really sure if this is the right place to post but I just joined and I am officially 24 hours without any dip. I never realized how much of a hold it had on me until this very moment.

Slayer, anywhere is good. Welcome! Great decision to quit and free yourself from nicotine!

You should also head to the May 2016 quit group and post roll, your daily promise to use no nicotine. Introduce yourself to the quitters there, get to know them, exchange digits and build a support network.

Also exercise, drink lots of water, and read this site.

You can do this just like the rest of us: quit today. Wake up tomorrow and quit again. Simple -- yet hard because nicotine fights back. That hold is addiction. You are on day 2, keep winning.

[Slayerp]

Not really sure if this is the right place to post but I just joined and I am officially 24 hours without any dip. I never realized how much of a hold it had on me until this very moment.