well, here I am and hoping this speech helps at least one person quit nicotine. At the time of this speech, I have gone 108 days with no dip or other form of nicotine.
Brief history first. I started dipping my freshman year in college during a mandatory study hall for freshman athletes. very strict environment so me and two of my roommates started bumming dips off a teammate because it gave us us buzz and passed the time. before you know it, I am buying my own can, getting pissed if someone bums off me too much and then it happened, I became a nicotine addict and remain one to this day.
I played baseball and continued dipping through college. Began with Skoal Long Cut Wintergreen and graduated to Cope a couple years later. Talk about a ninja dipper, I dated the same girl for 5 years in college and she did not know i dipped.
Anyway, I graduated in 1993 and actually quit dipping in 1995 after seeing some cancer pics. You note I mentioned quit dipping, not nicotine. I then became a ninja smoker and never really got the nicotine out of my system. I thought i was doing great because I didn't dip but it took this site for me to realize it is the nicotine stupid and it doesn't matter how you get it in your system. I started back dipping in 97 or so and didn't stop dipping my skoal fine cut until about 108 days ago. I hid my dipping from my wife for about 8 years; yea she'd catch me every once in a while but she did not know i was an addict until about three years ago. it took this place for me to realize what a fraud I was. I let dip control my life.
Sure I'd try to quit every now and then and it would last three hours or so and i'd be digging around in the trash can for the dip i threw out. think about that. I even got to where i'd pour coffee or an old spit cup on the snuff I dumped in the trash only to find myself still fishing it out until i could get a fresh can.
Now most of us probably have a similar story about our addiction but now to the good part. Getting that nic bitch out of my life! What made me quit? I can't really tell you for sure except I finally wanted to quit. it wasn't my wife on my ass or a sore in my mouth, i just one day said i'm tired of letting something like nicotine control my life. If it were not for this site, i probably would have had a cigarette with buddy or a cigar over drinks and been real proud of my quit dipping. but this site educated me about the NICOTINE! it is the nicotine we are addicted to. i've been 108 days without nicotine which the is longest in 20 years.
Just remember this. I am a nicotine addict who chooses not to use nicotine and if you are reading this, you are probably a nicotine addict. Remember that word, you are an ADDICT. I used to think of an addict as someone hooked on coke, herion, meth or crack but we are just as much an addict except our drug is nicotine. Once I realzed i am an addict, i was able to deal with the addiction more effectively. This is not a game,
Is the quit easy in the beginning? no. but you know what, you work through it with your quit group and know that everyone else is dealing with the same or similar issues. If all these other studs are keeping their quit going, why can't me and you? Caving is not an option. Does it get better? hell yes and soon. with every day of quit you have on your side, the easier it will be to say no to the nic bitch. Stay on this site and in touch with your support groups. if you need help, ask for it because there are a bunch of bad ass quitters in here that will hold the rope for you if you need it. do it for yourself and you too will be writing a speech like this soon. I still battle my addiction like everyone but I post roll and promise my brothers that I will not use nicotine today. stay strong and enjoy your nicotine free life like I am. Mike, June 2009
