10 years dipping

[Scowick65]

Reflection: by posting your nicotine reduction plan here, you are promoting quitting by nicotine reduction. 

Insight: People will argue with you when you do that, because it gives us the opportunity to promote our way instead of yours.   We enjoy arguing this point, and we will not be persuaded to stop.

If you don't like that, you are your own problem. You are responsible for wasting your own time, and YOU are in your OWN way.

But Nine, I need to use nicotine to help me stop using nicotine. Why don't you mean people understand this? My doctor said I should do it this way. No, he's never used tobacco at all, but he read a bunch of studies performed by nicotine gum manufacturers that said buying their product was the way to quit.

If you post roll, I'll be behind you. I've just seen these types of plans fail too many times. The only way to quit is to.....well...QUIT.

Unique......Special....Butterfly....still....not....quit

[G]

Reflection: by posting your nicotine reduction plan here, you are promoting quitting by nicotine reduction. 

Insight: People will argue with you when you do that, because it gives us the opportunity to promote our way instead of yours.  We enjoy arguing this point, and we will not be persuaded to stop.

If you don't like that, you are your own problem. You are responsible for wasting your own time, and YOU are in your OWN way.

But Nine, I need to use nicotine to help me stop using nicotine. Why don't you mean people understand this? My doctor said I should do it this way. No, he's never used tobacco at all, but he read a bunch of studies performed by nicotine gum manufacturers that said buying their product was the way to quit.

If you post roll, I'll be behind you. I've just seen these types of plans fail too many times. The only way to quit is to.....well...QUIT.

[ninereasons]

Reflection: by posting your nicotine reduction plan here, you are promoting quitting by nicotine reduction.

Insight: People will argue with you when you do that, because it gives us the opportunity to promote our way instead of yours. We enjoy arguing this point, and we will not be persuaded to stop.

If you don't like that, you are your own problem. You are responsible for wasting your own time, and YOU are in your OWN way.

[Highwayman1890]

Well I'm still here, and I'm not going anywhere. By the end of the month I'll be ready to post roll. I have dropped from the typical 255 mg nicotine (one can of Copenhagen) to 4, 4mg pieces of gum and plan to work back from that as follows.

8/2 - 8/7 (4 pieces) 16mg
8/8 - 8/14 (3 pieces) 12mg
8/15 - 8/21( 2 pieces) 8mg
8/22 - 8/28 ( 1 piece) 4 mg
8/29 - Post roll

Now I haven't posted this in any "off limits" areas so everyone can just calm the fuck down. I get why I'm addicted, I get that nicotine gum is not a replacement for cope, and I am not advocating or promoting using it in or around your website. In fact I appreciate the candid responses and testimonials contained within this post and within this site. But this is how I'm doing it. For those of you who are of the mindset of "fuck that guy until he totally quits" I understand and will talk with you soon when I'm in the nic-free rooms. For the other, more reflective and introspective group of people reading this please realize that this is to increase my chances of success not to prolong a dangerous addiction. If you take issue with this fine, I'm not trying to start a high school style facebook-esque message board argument, just trying to make the point that I'm not uneducated about this matter, I'm not going into it blind or without experience and I have no fucking ideas of failing, so you can jump on board with me now or get the fuck out of my way.

-I'm quitting with or without you and would prefer to do it with you guys behind me.

[Jtricher]

Highwayman -

The addict side of your brain is trying to trick fuck you. You want to quit. For an addict, that instills fear. The way the addict in you is attempting to overcome this is to say I will quit with a "crutch." Dude, that is not quitting. That is being a pussy because you are still using. You have not quit anything. Why? Because you are not addicted to tobacco. You are addicted to nicotine. Think about it. You are a junkie addicted to nicotine. The addicted part of your brain has rationalized that you can quit by giving it more nicotine, just in a different form. Does this make sense? Of course not. As someone below said, this is no different than giving an alcoholic beer instead of vodka. Same drug, different delivery agent. Until you understand this, there is no need for you to come to these parts. There are other sites on the Internet where quitting with NRT (nicotine replacement therapy) is welcome and even embraced. But here at KTC, we quit extreme, which is cold turkey, because there is really no other way. I speak from experience. 13 years ago I tried to "quit" using Nicorette. While on the gum, I felt great. After 2 months, I figured I would quit the gum because I had conquered my "addiction" to tobacco. I was also tired of paying for the gum, which cost more than dip, at least back then. Dude, within a day or 2 of quitting the gum, I was finger-banging cans again and throwing in 4 finger lippers. And that will be you, trust me. Again, there is only one way to quit. Cold fucking turkey. As someone else said, until you fully embrace this notion, you will not receive much love or support from too many folks on this site, including me. Once you see the light, I will be in your corner, doing everything I can within my power to help you Kill the Can.

[davidc67]

I'm just saying you're not addicted to Copenhagen. You're addicted to nicotine. This would be like saying you're an alcoholic and switching from beer to wine spritzers. Just saying ... understand what your addiction is.

The worse thing u can do when quitting nicotine is prolong those first 3 days. That is just torturing yourself. Get by those 3 days and then nicotine is out of your system. Dave -152 days free-

[per034]

I'm just saying you're not addicted to Copenhagen. You're addicted to nicotine. This would be like saying you're an alcoholic and switching from beer to wine spritzers. Just saying ... understand what your addiction is.

[ninereasons]

Anyway, what kind of crutch is that? If you want your broken leg to heal, stop injuring it by putting weight on it, it seems to me. Is that a lame analogy? How can you lean on your addiction? It's counter-intuitive - and having tried it in the past, as many others here have, I have reason to believe it's a waste of time and gives false hope.

I won't say that ours is the only way. But it's no secret what OUR way is. Choose whatever way you please and good luck to you. But the love in the room will grow cold if you promote nicotine as an aid to quitting nicotine here, in a no-nicotine community.

[Scowick65]

Hey Highwayman,

I am glad you are here. I am not going to judge you, I get where your head is at. Here are two links for you to read and consider. The first is a link on cessation aids. http://www.killthecan.org/robs/nrt.asp You may conclude they are not all that great anyhooo.

The second link is called "The Law of Addiction". It is as true as the law of gravity. http://www.killthecan.org/robs/law.asp

I cite this because it is a scientific explanation to the concept of quitting cold turkey. Or as others have rightly stated, one is not addicted to a nicotine delivery method, one is addicted to nicotine. Your doppamines or however you spell it have no clue how they got the nic, the are just damn glad you gave it to them. They are hooked on it.

There is a reason we are tying to sell you in quitting now and cold turkey. (1) We know it works. (2) Statistics have demonstrated that a potential quitters only give it a go every 2 to 5 years. You are so close to quitting and dammit we have a plan that works. Quitting one day at a time. That makes it easier. Not for ever, just today. If you want to chat shoot me an PM. I am happy to chat on the phone.

You can do this. Flush, post and quit. You will have my support.

[Souliman]

If I need a crutch to help initially isn't it better than going at it alone to "beat it with my mind"?

NO. It is not. You don't see the fight yet. The actual battle that you will face daily. That battle is within you. Sure I sound like I ate a little too much paper during the 90s but its true. The crutch does nothing to help you fight this. All it does is provide a door for you to knock on to get to your enemy. Once its gone, you face your enemy. The battle is you and the addict and both of them live in your mind. If you have the ability to quit at all, you have the ability now regardless of whether there is a crutch involved or not.

[MikeA]

We have heard your story before hundreds of times. What makes you so much different that the rest of us?
If I can go cold turkey, any one can. Your not special so quit treating yourself that way. Jump on our wagon and let's ride!!

[G]

Alright everyone let's not get to carried away on the "You're still addicted" posts. I get it--I'm not done, I haven't even started, hell it's been four hours since my first post. The decision is one of the hardest parts. To put behind you what has essentially been the constant in all of your life experiences up until this point. Every happiness there was Copenhagen, every sadness, every vacation, every workday, everything involved a little tin capped can of addiction. And now it won't. Is it better to believe that "you're one of the select few who hold no chemical dependencies"? Or realize addiction is based in habit and chemical reactions and allow for a period of acceptance and weaning? I mean really. Sure after "578 days without nicotine" you become ideologically self righteous and want everyone to realize that nicotine is the problem and the gum, or the patches, or lozenges isn't the answer so I do thank you for the words of support and the general sentiment that "I haven't quit anything yet", but quite frankly I'm not sure support should come in the form of "What I'm not doing". If I had quit 2 months ago and was still on the patches, on the gum, sure--let me have it. But it's not. It's been close to 4 total hours since the post, on the first day. Allow for some damn breathing room to accept and control my decision and beat this addiction, instead of basically saying that I'm not doing anything. You know what I'm not doing? Dipping. And in whatever way I choose to get off not only dipping, but nicotine so be it. If I need a crutch to help initially isn't it better than going at it alone to "beat it with my mind"? Having a setback and failing and adding the feeling of failure to an addiction makes things worse. At least I'm able to rationally realize that maybe I just can't do it cold turkey instead of being another statistic with an introductory post on a website claiming "I'm quitting today" then falling into the black masses of your archives? Because I'm sure there are countless "accounts" set up for one or two days of people who want to quit cold turkey and then caving. So again, while I appreciate those who have complimented my decision I ask those who believe that the only way to go is cutting your addicted self-medicating nicotine riddled brain off completely to please just respect the decision and think of ways to step yourself down off Nicotine gum instead of clamoring that I'm not even participating.

you asked us for help. it was offered. choose to do what you see fit.

just understand that we know the way out. you got to decide if you want to follow.

you feel free to hang around here as long as you want post in the intro section and quit cafe...quit groups and wildcard section are reserved only for members who are nicotine free.

Let me add to what bama said by using this story told by Leo to Josh on the west wing:

"This guy's walking down the street when he falls in a hole. The walls are so steep he can't get out.
"A doctor passes by and the guy shouts up, 'Hey you. Can you help me out?' The doctor writes a prescription, throws it down in the hole and moves on.
"Then a priest comes along and the guy shouts up, 'Father, I'm down in this hole can you help me out?' The priest writes out a prayer, throws it down in the hole and moves on
"Then a friend walks by, 'Hey, Joe, it's me can you help me out?' And the friend jumps in the hole. Our guy says, 'Are you stupid? Now we're both down here.' The friend says, 'Yeah, but I've been down here before and I know the way out.'"

[Highwayman1890]

Well said. Much appreciated.

[bigbamadan]

Alright everyone let's not get to carried away on the "You're still addicted" posts. I get it--I'm not done, I haven't even started, hell it's been four hours since my first post. The decision is one of the hardest parts. To put behind you what has essentially been the constant in all of your life experiences up until this point. Every happiness there was Copenhagen, every sadness, every vacation, every workday, everything involved a little tin capped can of addiction. And now it won't. Is it better to believe that "you're one of the select few who hold no chemical dependencies"? Or realize addiction is based in habit and chemical reactions and allow for a period of acceptance and weaning? I mean really. Sure after "578 days without nicotine" you become ideologically self righteous and want everyone to realize that nicotine is the problem and the gum, or the patches, or lozenges isn't the answer so I do thank you for the words of support and the general sentiment that "I haven't quit anything yet", but quite frankly I'm not sure support should come in the form of "What I'm not doing". If I had quit 2 months ago and was still on the patches, on the gum, sure--let me have it. But it's not. It's been close to 4 total hours since the post, on the first day. Allow for some damn breathing room to accept and control my decision and beat this addiction, instead of basically saying that I'm not doing anything. You know what I'm not doing? Dipping. And in whatever way I choose to get off not only dipping, but nicotine so be it. If I need a crutch to help initially isn't it better than going at it alone to "beat it with my mind"? Having a setback and failing and adding the feeling of failure to an addiction makes things worse. At least I'm able to rationally realize that maybe I just can't do it cold turkey instead of being another statistic with an introductory post on a website claiming "I'm quitting today" then falling into the black masses of your archives? Because I'm sure there are countless "accounts" set up for one or two days of people who want to quit cold turkey and then caving. So again, while I appreciate those who have complimented my decision I ask those who believe that the only way to go is cutting your addicted self-medicating nicotine riddled brain off completely to please just respect the decision and think of ways to step yourself down off Nicotine gum instead of clamoring that I'm not even participating.

you asked us for help. it was offered. choose to do what you see fit.

just understand that we know the way out. you got to decide if you want to follow.

you feel free to hang around here as long as you want post in the intro section and quit cafe...quit groups and wildcard section are reserved only for members who are nicotine free.

[Highwayman1890]

Alright everyone let's not get to carried away on the "You're still addicted" posts. I get it--I'm not done, I haven't even started, hell it's been four hours since my first post. The decision is one of the hardest parts. To put behind you what has essentially been the constant in all of your life experiences up until this point. Every happiness there was Copenhagen, every sadness, every vacation, every workday, everything involved a little tin capped can of addiction. And now it won't. Is it better to believe that "you're one of the select few who hold no chemical dependencies"? Or realize addiction is based in habit and chemical reactions and allow for a period of acceptance and weaning? I mean really. Sure after "578 days without nicotine" you become ideologically self righteous and want everyone to realize that nicotine is the problem and the gum, or the patches, or lozenges isn't the answer so I do thank you for the words of support and the general sentiment that "I haven't quit anything yet", but quite frankly I'm not sure support should come in the form of "What I'm not doing". If I had quit 2 months ago and was still on the patches, on the gum, sure--let me have it. But it's not. It's been close to 4 total hours since the post, on the first day. Allow for some damn breathing room to accept and control my decision and beat this addiction, instead of basically saying that I'm not doing anything. You know what I'm not doing? Dipping. And in whatever way I choose to get off not only dipping, but nicotine so be it. If I need a crutch to help initially isn't it better than going at it alone to "beat it with my mind"? Having a setback and failing and adding the feeling of failure to an addiction makes things worse. At least I'm able to rationally realize that maybe I just can't do it cold turkey instead of being another statistic with an introductory post on a website claiming "I'm quitting today" then falling into the black masses of your archives? Because I'm sure there are countless "accounts" set up for one or two days of people who want to quit cold turkey and then caving. So again, while I appreciate those who have complimented my decision I ask those who believe that the only way to go is cutting your addicted self-medicating nicotine riddled brain off completely to please just respect the decision and think of ways to step yourself down off Nicotine gum instead of clamoring that I'm not even participating.