On May 2, 2016 I spit out my last dip. The action was entirely anti-climactic. A movement of my hand, a swish with some water and a spit into a bottle. I'd done the same maneuver thousands of times, over many years - more than a third of the years in my life.
At the time, I didn't really believe that this would truly be my last dip. It hadn't even been a particularly good one. Just a standard, mid-morning pinch. But it was the last left in the can, and I had told myself that I wouldn't be buying another. But again, I had been here many times before and didn't really believe it.
As per usual, I was able to go a few days, white-knuckling through the pain and tension. But on day 5 or so, I broke down. Got in my truck and turned the key. However, I did not take the truck out of park. I sat there for a few minutes on the verge of panic. This was it, this was the moment where I either stood my ground or remained a stinking addict for the rest of my life - a life destroyed by my own actions.
This time, I turned the key again, removed it from the ignition and went back inside. I had remembered finding KTC one time several years back, during some brief stoppage. At that time, I dismissed it out of hand and went on to repeated failure. This time however, I swallowed my pride and posted this intro.
The rest is already here. Go back a few pages and see how it's turned out. In the last year, I've gotten married, bought a business and bought a house. I've done it all dip free. There were certainly some extreme struggles, but nothing unique or special to me. Everyone here has gone through the same or worse.
I've been on roll before breakfast every single day since finding KTC. It's a part of my day. If I'm not on roll by 10am, I damn sure will be getting some texts. I welcome that, I need that.
I owe everything to my friends, brothers and sisters on this site. I would not have succeeded on my own. Thank you for making this possible. Thank you for fighting with me.
To anyone reading this from the other side, this can be your story too. Post your promise, keep it, dig in.
I will see you all on roll tomorrow.