My Fellow Quit Brothers and Sisters, and those who are thinking about it:
Confession: I never "wanted" to quit dipping. And you know what? I still don't "want" to be quit. If I could pick up the can and have no consequences I'd still be dipping. But there are consequences....big time consequences. And I am quit.
I'm 40 years old and have been dipping since I was about 13. The first dip I had was Hawken. I loved it. I soon migrated on to Skoal Finecut. That first dip of Skoal left me dizzy, puking, and promising everyone at my Uncle's cookout that no way would I ever put that shit in my mouth again. But I kept the can, and kept dipping. For a long, long, time.
If I was sleeping or eating or "with" my wife, I didn't have a dip in. Other than that, just about every waking moment the last 27'ish years have included having a dip in.
I've quit off and on before, but always came back to it when "times got tough."
I found this site and decided to give it a try. Why? Because I'm sick of being owned by UST (do you really think they give a F--- about you while they take all your money and kill you at the same time?). I'm sick of paying so much money. I'm sick of being that hamster on the wheel, always trying to stuff in more dip, and more dip, and trying to find that perfect dip of the day. The more I dipped, the more rare that perfect, calming, screw the world, dip became. I'm sick of throwing in a big lipper and explaining to my boys that tobacco is very, very, bad for you. I don't want my wife and kids to see me die over something that I could have prevented.
All these things outweigh my selfish reasons for not wanting to put down the can. I'm a grown man and I understand that there are consequences for all of my actions.......
So, I partied like a rockstar during the holidays and quit on 02 Jan. I'd like to tell you that it's been easy, no problem. But you know what, it's not easy. It sucks. The first few days are uncomfortable as hell. My friends on this site got me through it though. They were there when I called and talked me down off the ledge.
I'm having to re-learn my entire life without dip. It's weird and interesting at the same time. I didn't even know who I was without dip. Dip defined me. Period. Dip was my security blanket for everything in my life.
No more. I'm on day 133 today and you know what, it's getting easier every day. I am putting together a normal life again and continuing to learn about myself. There are some rough patches occasionally, but no big deal, and if it is a big deal, I've got my phone numbers all set to go.
So if you're one of my brothers or sisters that helped me through.....Thank You. I owe you my life. And I hope to return the favor to all of you.
If you're a new quitter and new to this site, suck it up and drive on. Get your phone numbers and lean on your buddies. You won't make it without them.
If you're "lurking" and thinking about quitting, just pick a date and do it. Reach down, grab hold, throw out your can, suck it up, drive on. Re-learn your life without dip. Hold yourself accountable for what YOU can control in your life and stop blaming everything else in your life for making you dip. You have the power, you have the control, your new buddies on this site will see you through.
Now throw out that can and sign roll call.
