Hello Everyone,
I'm 30 years old and I've been chewing Grizzly Wintergreen since I was 17. I usually burn through a can in 1.5 - 3 days. I wasn't fully addicted until I went to college where I could buy it on my own and not have to worry about hiding it. I played football and, unlike high school, the coaches chewed during practice. Chew was always there to get me through the long hours of studying...and playing video game football.
I've abstained for up to 3 months many times in the past. I've worked on commercial fishing boats since I was 23 and I've rarely used chew at work. When I would go offshore for a two week trip I would simply not bring any chew with me, leaving myself no choice but to abstain for an extended break. This is a commonly used technique in the fishing business referred to as "Sea-hab"; but usually for illicit substances, not nicotine as many fishermen smoke like chimneys offshore.
I always revert back in the same way. I tell myself, 'that wasn't so bad - I actually am capable of quitting' and I use this as an excuse to buy a can for a long car ride. "From now on, I will chew in moderation" or "I will only chew when I am going for a long drive, because it will help me stay more alert". I've also done the "I will only take very small dips so a can will last for weeks". I think you know the rest of that story.
The fishing season closed and I was laid off mid-November. With no work I spent my whole day bowhunting, then gun hunting with a chew in my mouth the whole day. I had big plans for all the things I wanted to do with my time off of work, but quitting chew wasn't one of them. My excuse was that the hardest possible time to quit is while I'm laid off with nothing but free time. I thought I would wait until I was back at work where my mind would be distracted from cravings and where a relapse can wasn't just a 5 minute walk away.
But you know what? Fuck that. Fuck all the excuses. There will never be a better time than now. No more waiting for times when it is convenient to quit or trapping myself into temporary abstinence and calling it good enough. This is for real, I promise.
For the past 2 days I have gone 24 hours between dips to mentally prepare and it has been tough. I have been chewing on toothpicks to keep my mouth distracted and when I get that daunting feeling that I will be going the rest of my life without the pleasure of nicotine I think of how the pleasure of sex is much better and still on the menu.
I really want to get in touch with others on here, especially folks who are beginning their quit right now. The support will be greatly appreciated.
