Tired and done. Quitting, Day 1.

[Doofus]

Agree with above, DAY 214 QUIT ON

[Croakenhagen]

I think koba really hits the nail on the head here, about why KTC works...

I had an interesting thought today scrolling through these pages of roll and accountability posts. I donÂ’t understand how I could so easily lie to my wife and parents and friends and family about dipping and so easily break promises to quit when those were people I should have been able to turn to. Then I get on here and I canÂ’t lie to you all here and IÂ’m more scared to break a promise to people I only know via text and internet messages than my own family. Whatever the reason IÂ’m glad it is the way it is because itÂ’s working. Anytime I think about a dip I log on here if I can or even just think about my fellow rawktober quitters and the desire to cave goes away. So to you all I say THANK YOU!!!

I know itÂ’s because we allow ourselves to become vested in each other. You have come to grips with your addiction and realize that only other addicts can see through the bullshit to hold you accountable.

Or we are way cooler than Facebook

I think a big part of it also is that your relationship with your brothers on KTC is formed first and foremost around quitting. You know your family and friends are all probably still going to love you if you cave, because your relationship with them was formed around something else. I think that gives your addict brain a little bit of extra wiggle room to convince itself that it'll be okay if you break your promise, because you know they'll forgive you, even if they get mad at first. But on here? You've got 20+ dudes who are all gonna jump your ass if you fuck up, and you know that your relationship with them is going to suffer serious (if not irreparable) damage, because it all comes from the bond of making that promise and going through this thing together.

There isn't a like button here but this is good stuff! Way cooler than Facebook too!

[FLLipOut]

Some really great reads. Thanks for posting them here, Sam.

[Samrs]

I think koba really hits the nail on the head here, about why KTC works...

I had an interesting thought today scrolling through these pages of roll and accountability posts. I donÂ’t understand how I could so easily lie to my wife and parents and friends and family about dipping and so easily break promises to quit when those were people I should have been able to turn to. Then I get on here and I canÂ’t lie to you all here and IÂ’m more scared to break a promise to people I only know via text and internet messages than my own family. Whatever the reason IÂ’m glad it is the way it is because itÂ’s working. Anytime I think about a dip I log on here if I can or even just think about my fellow rawktober quitters and the desire to cave goes away. So to you all I say THANK YOU!!!

I know itÂ’s because we allow ourselves to become vested in each other. You have come to grips with your addiction and realize that only other addicts can see through the bullshit to hold you accountable.

Or we are way cooler than Facebook

I think a big part of it also is that your relationship with your brothers on KTC is formed first and foremost around quitting. You know your family and friends are all probably still going to love you if you cave, because your relationship with them was formed around something else. I think that gives your addict brain a little bit of extra wiggle room to convince itself that it'll be okay if you break your promise, because you know they'll forgive you, even if they get mad at first. But on here? You've got 20+ dudes who are all gonna jump your ass if you fuck up, and you know that your relationship with them is going to suffer serious (if not irreparable) damage, because it all comes from the bond of making that promise and going through this thing together.

[Samrs]

Some excellent advice on general health and taking care of yourself from BravoZulu:

Hi. Did anyone else notice their desire for booze increasing at a disturbing rate after quitting dip? If so, pm me. I think I may need some support.

Yes. Addictions can be substituted quite easily. When I was quitting dip, I would frequently have insane cravings that weren't real cravings for nicotine. When I stopped for a moment I could recognize that I was actually just hungry, or thirsty, or tired, etc.

In my experience, all of us addicts, whether alcoholics, or nicotine addicts, or sex addicts, or gambling addicts are all chasing a fix of dopamine. We want to light up the reward centers in our brain via shortcut....shortcuts are generally not going to provide the contentment that we are really after.

Sooooo, what are some things to do to combat this? One thing, which you're doing (well done!), is ask for help and establish a support system. Having a therapist or counselor can be hugely helpful. A couple of other things that really helped me included:

-admitting I had an unhealthy relationship with dopamine inducing activities. That does not mean you are weak or are lacking in will power. You are just wired differently. That is OK! Seriously.

-hitting the gym, it is never too late to add some muscle and cut some fat. I'm stronger and more fit now at 40 than I was as a college football player. I highly recommend the "starting strength" app to start slow and track your progress. Spoiler alert: it works.

-Check your nutrition. Are you eating a lot of sugar and/or processed foods? Are you staying hydrated? Eating simple carbs can cause insulin spikes with resultant sugar highs and crashes that do NOT help one trying to abstain from a substance. Eat more leafy greens and cruciferous veggies. Most of us are also chronically dehydrated. Keep your brain nice and moist, it functions better.

-Many folks seeking easy hits of dopamine are lacking appropriate levels of serotonin. Serotonin makes us feel content instead of the happy euphoria of dopamine. Contentment feels better. Try grabbing a couple of supplements that might help with boosting serotonin including magnesium and 5-HTP. (As always, consult your doctor before starting any supplements.)

-Meditation is awesome. It may sound new-agey or make your eyes roll thinking about it, but being mindful and quieting your mind feels incredible. Like any new habit you hope to establish, start slow. Even 1 minute a day will help. I recommend the "insight timer" app. It is free and has thousands of excellent guided meditations.

-Sleep! Make sure you're getting adequate sleep. Not getting enough sleep is terrible for your health, both physical and mental. 7-8 hrs a night is the sweet spot.

-If you're a reader, I found the Russell Brand book "Recovery" to be very helpful and insightful with the added bonus of being funny and relatable. Also, if meetings aren't your thing, check out the "stop drinking" group on reddit. It's like having a support group in your pocket. You are NOT alone.

Overall, be kind to yourself. Be gentle. Change is not easy but it doesn't have to be hard either. Show yourself that you are worth it and deserve to be treated well. Just take everything ONE DAY AT A TIME. You've got this.

If you have any other questions or want to chat, hit me up with a PM!

[Doofus]

Double WUPP time for 200, proud to be quit wit u

[FLLipOut]

Some thoughts on why we are so hard on cavers.

Good stuff, Sam.

[Samrs]

Some thoughts on why we are so hard on cavers.

[Tjschu]

Congrats on 500 Sam!! Thanks for all that you do. You make this place better. Very much appreciated!!

Congratulations on 500! You inspire me (and so many around here)! Proud to quit with you!

Congrats on 5th Floor Sam!!! Keep doing what you do!!! Thanks for being a big part of my quit!

'party' Woot! 'party' So proud of you, Sam! Half Dangle!!! Thank you for everything you do here - and for helping to fortify my own quit through your leadership and wisdom and humor and kindness!

Vibrates on your 1/2 dangle Sam!!

Congrats on that half dangle man!

[ChickDip]

Congrats on 500 Sam!! Thanks for all that you do. You make this place better. Very much appreciated!!

Congratulations on 500! You inspire me (and so many around here)! Proud to quit with you!

Congrats on 5th Floor Sam!!! Keep doing what you do!!! Thanks for being a big part of my quit!

'party' Woot! 'party' So proud of you, Sam! Half Dangle!!! Thank you for everything you do here - and for helping to fortify my own quit through your leadership and wisdom and humor and kindness!

Vibrates on your 1/2 dangle Sam!!

[FLLipOut]

Congrats on 500 Sam!! Thanks for all that you do. You make this place better. Very much appreciated!!

Congratulations on 500! You inspire me (and so many around here)! Proud to quit with you!

Congrats on 5th Floor Sam!!! Keep doing what you do!!! Thanks for being a big part of my quit!

'party' Woot! 'party' So proud of you, Sam! Half Dangle!!! Thank you for everything you do here - and for helping to fortify my own quit through your leadership and wisdom and humor and kindness!

[SRains918]

Congrats on 500 Sam!! Thanks for all that you do. You make this place better. Very much appreciated!!

Congratulations on 500! You inspire me (and so many around here)! Proud to quit with you!

Congrats on 5th Floor Sam!!! Keep doing what you do!!! Thanks for being a big part of my quit!

[4TheWin]

Congrats on 500 Sam!! Thanks for all that you do. You make this place better. Very much appreciated!!

Congratulations on 500! You inspire me (and so many around here)! Proud to quit with you!

[BrianG]

Congrats on 500 Sam!! Thanks for all that you do. You make this place better. Very much appreciated!!

[Samrs]

Holy cow. 500. Half dangle. Never thought I'd get here, and you know what I love the most?

Today is just a day.

I mean - I'm going to celebrate, I like the milestone and all. That's just icing on the cake, though.

The real celebration is that today's just another day. Dad's still sick, but getting better. Oldest daughter got her driver's license yesterday. The two youngest are finishing up school in a few weeks. The sun is shining, so I'll get a nice walk in today. I'll make some progress at work, hang out and punch some friends at Hapkido tonight, then come home and snuggle the kids and the wife and write a bit.

All without nicotine.

It feels great, and I couldn't have done it without you all.

Thank you, whoever you are reading this. You're part of my quit, and part of the reason I've stayed free these last 500 days.

Thank you for helping me be a better me.