Diagnosed Bipolar II - Doing very good - but my snuff habit has steadily increased.

[Lone_Wolf]

It's not news to me that I'm addicted to it and I know this is a site that's only about cold turkey no nicotine flowing your veins type of quitting, but I don't think you understand what real depression is like my friend. I've started nicotine replacement today. Took one dip this morning for about 20 min, and I've used one lozenge. My plan is to use the lozenge's to get off the snuff and then taper the lozenges. That's how I'm going to do it. That's my plan. If I don't belong here that's fine. For the life of me, I can't understand why your still hanging around tobacco forums if you've quit for almost a year. I've quit before, and I just didn't think about it anymore after I stopped.....I just didn't. It was out of my life. It was not part of my life. I understand the desire to help others, but I think for me, I would just have to remove myself from anything associated with tobacco once I was completely quit. I've done it before I quit, for a good while, and it wasn't until a friend offered me a tiny pinch that made me dizzy as heck that I started on "occasion" taking a small dip. And the habit, slowly over years crept back. I also don't understand, maybe it's a northern thing, why do alot of yall call dipping snuff chewing. You don't chew on it. You chew on chewing tobacco. You dip snuff. IDK I just see alot of folks using the terminology of using stuff and calling it chewing....weird to me. Anyways I guess I'm done here.

[Idaho Spuds]

Lone_Wolf
Here are a couple of my thoughts:
1. Have you told your doctor you chew, I bet not? Ask him about how if effects your meds.
2. Nicotine is a drug, you are an addict!! Your addict brain is trying to tell you, that it is too hard to quit and insert excuse __________
3. I used to almost be ready to quit, next week, father's day, kids bday, etc. I would always put it off. Quit now, and you will be quit for your first Father's day in years?
4. It will be hard to quit with some of the other issues you have but better than dealing with cancer and/or jaw removal
5. This isn't a site to talk about potentially quitting, we quit here every damn day, I am 305 days quit.

[Lone_Wolf]

Yup got it. Well I work in an office, so it's not like I do it all day long, it's just the size dips I started taking are large, I've got a spot stretched out on my right side, I guess were I've kept taking bigger and bigger dips. I kind of indulge in the evenings. But, It's been a pretty quick escalation of usage for me, so I need to stop before it gets out of hand. For all I know, my meds may help me handle cravings and withdrawals better already. I just know what I'm taking now, is not like wellbutrin/Zyban. When I took that, I had no enjoyment from nicotine. It was like you could still dip, but the pleasure was just taken away, it was weird, so I just naturally stopped using it, think it made me have headaches too when I used it while taking Wellbutrin. I'll check back in when I'm 100% all in. Right now in my heart I"m not ready to quit. I'm to afraid to fall back into the darkness. I think I'll just work on slowing down and self control right now. Thanks for the response.

[gadawg3]

I think that nicotine effects the neurotransmitter concentrations in the brain, as do many of the antidepressants and other psychiatric medications. So once you stop nicotine, you will experience change in neurotransmitter concentrations, and this may impact your mood. I suggest that you first talk with your physician about a plan for stopping nicotine so that your physician can make adjustments to your medication as needed. I haven't witnessed any belittling of mental health problems at KTC. But if you participate in KTC and then cave, it is unlikely that people here will let your mental health issues be an acceptable excuse for caving. We can provide the support if you are committed to quit no matter what comes your way, but we can't provide the medical care.

Well said quark. ADs and nicotine both affect neurotransmitters. I'm sure your doctor would advise quitting but check with him/her first (I seen my Dr for the first time since quitting a couple days ago..he was ecstatic that I quit). Once you are ready to quit nicotine 100% we will all be here for you. This is a nicotine free program so no small dips, gum, or anything with nicotine. Cold turkey only here! As far as the mental health issues go...I'm sure no one here would belittle that. I have had issues with ADs mostly for anxiety in the past and they are no fun. Hang in there and PM me if you need to talk about anything.

[Lone_Wolf]

Yeah, I believe nicotine gives you a boost of dopamine. It's a little more complicated for me if you know what I mean, and I'm not looking for excuses. I think talking to the doc is probably the best idea. Delicate balance we play with meds.... alot of folks who struggle with depression are smokers and tobacco users. Anyway, maybe this sight isn't the best fit for me. I can be all gung ho about quitting, and then I'm at home or fishing or playing golf or whatever, and it's like, the can is just an extension of who I am and I don't even consider quitting. Think I need to talk to doc before I quit cold turkey or anything like that, and maybe have a little better self control over how much I'm stuffing in my mouth for now. Thanks for the response.

[quark]

I think that nicotine effects the neurotransmitter concentrations in the brain, as do many of the antidepressants and other psychiatric medications. So once you stop nicotine, you will experience change in neurotransmitter concentrations, and this may impact your mood. I suggest that you first talk with your physician about a plan for stopping nicotine so that your physician can make adjustments to your medication as needed. I haven't witnessed any belittling of mental health problems at KTC. But if you participate in KTC and then cave, it is unlikely that people here will let your mental health issues be an acceptable excuse for caving. We can provide the support if you are committed to quit no matter what comes your way, but we can't provide the medical care.

[Lone_Wolf]

I don't know if I'm ready to quit yet. I'm feeling good. My mouth is a little sore in spots, but I don't feel like crap....you know. And it's a Friday. I look forward to my weekends. I love my weekends, and the US Open is on this weekend. Part of me wants to go out and buy some more gum, and part believes it's only prolonging the problem. What's the difference in using the gum vs. putting smaller dips in, and just cutting back. That would prevent you from having withdrawal. You don't have to put a massive dip in. You could cut back and stop the withdrawl symtoms, it jusn't wouldn't be as enjoyable. I don't know. Don't let my first post scare you from commenting.

[Lone_Wolf]

So my story is, I've been on many many antidepressants and they would work for awhile and then basically stop working. Eventually I was diagnosed Bipolar II and finally got my meds straighted out. It's been a battle and I've been in some very dark places. I am married and have 3 little boys, and I work full time with an office job. It has been diffucult in the past being fully functional and making it to work, but I am in a good place now, the only problem is my snuff use has increased from one dip a night after supper for many years, to almost a can a day. I am not allowed to use tobacco at work, and have just recently started taking dips out at my car during the day and on my lunch hour. I have a history of being a rapid cycler an there have been times when I've fealt so bad that snuff was the last thing on my mind. Well I have fealt well since my most recent med change and I guess that's been roughly around 3 weeks, but my tobacco usage has increased. When I feel good I have more cravings. I am 33 yrs old. I started in highschool and dipped about a can every 3 days in college, but I"m using almost a can a day now. I have taken Wellbutrin in the past and it takes away all enjoyment of nicotine, and I quit during this period, but this was probably 10 years ago. I also was in a deep deep depression and I fealt so sick that snuff made me feel worse, so I quit using without even trying really. I had scary bad side effects from the Wellbutrin and had to get off, and then it was just a roller coaster for me for quite awhile, and for many years I just took a small dip once a day after meals at night. Well I've been more stable which is great for me, and trust me my mental health is the biggest health issue I have. Snuff helps me battle my depression. When I feel good, I dip. I don't like the idea of my bottom lip on both sides being sore from my tobacco use, so I know I need to quit, or at least cut back. In all likely hood I will eventually cycle back into a depression, and my tobacco use will go down. I have a professional position at work. No one would ever guess that I'm bipolar if they met me, and only close family and my boss know I have mental health issues. Please do not belittle the seriousness of bipolar II disorder. It is a serious health problem, and I won't get into what I've battled with in my life, but I am currently stable, and I am being the best father and husband I can be. I quit for 3 + weeks about 2 months ago because I was tired of the cotton mouth and soar lip.

I guess I'm looking for anyone who might have mental health issues to offer any advice on quiting tobacco. It's hard to understand unless you're someone who's been in my shoes. I know I need to quit or cut back, or do something. I tried the gum, and it gives me stomach issues, but it did help me quit for 3 weeks. Now my stomach can't handle the gum. So I'm not sure I even belong on this sight, and I'm not sure quitting tobacco is even worth doing if it will possibly trigger a depressive episode. I just know I've increased my usage of it, and I know it's not a good thing. Any advice would be much appreciated. If this isn't the website for me, maybe a moderator can remove my account, I've been honest about who I am and what I"ve been through, and am just looking for others who can provide support and advice, but please do not belittle mental health. I know there is a stigma with mental health issues, but I can assure Bipolar II disorder is a hereditary disorder, with an unknown cause, and I take medication for legitamite reasons. I am not a weak person, I just haven't been dealt the best hand as far as genes go in the mental health dept. Again for all intents and purposes you would never know it you met me that I have the disorder. Just know I need to do something about my tobacco use, and I'm not sure this is the right place to come for support, cause I've noticed there's alot of tough guy attitudes about quitting cold turkey, and I'm don't think I need someone to tell me to pull up my boot straps and me and man and just quit. One thing I do know is Everyone on this website can identify with how tobacco can become such a big part of your life, and I know I use it to feel better when I'm down. I use it to for the buzz to feel even better when I feel good. I use it when I'm bored. I use it as a mood booster, as an energizer. I mean nicotine effects your brain chemistry, and maybe it even effects mine more than some of you. I don't know. Is there anyone out there that can Identify with me. I'm open to any and all advice. You don't have to have mental health issues to offer support. I'm healthy in the mental health dept currently, just my snuff usage has gotten worse, and that is why I am here. Sorry for such a long write-up. Just wanted to paint the full picture. THanks for your support and good luck to all who are trying to kick this bad habit.