Doing it for real.

[Paddington]

Update-

That was at least 3 hours long. Pacing back and forth, feeling like I was going to shred someone alive. (I am single and live on my own in the middle of nowhere, so socially this quit has been relatively easy as I have pretty much escaped potentially bad contacts.)

Went through a pack of Spitz seeds and have the beat up and sore tongue to prove it!

I totally got blind sided by that crave. It was worse than anything I have had during previous quit attempts, during the first 72 hours (and I have had 2 first 72 hours this month, as prior to my quit date on the 8th I had quit on the 3rd and caved at 72 hours.)

I ended up spending an hour or so watching this. Highly recommend it.

http://youtu.be/wvwrEo3sKAw

I know how nicotine works, I know the effect of Dopamine, the Alpha/Beta effects on the cardiovascular system, the neurological effects, ect. Knowing how it works helps and I think you have to in order to quit. Having said that, the human aspect and the psychological aspect of the quit is not something I think you understand unless you are going through it or have gone through it. That is where you have all helped. Thanks for the replies this evening. Just being able to vent and chat with folks who understand the struggles really does help.

About to start day 25. 1/4 of the way to 100. No nicotine or tobacco.

[Screw Grizzly]

[/QUOTE]
Paddy,
Here's what I found helpful. During every interaction, especially with ones you love, tell yourself as that interaction starts "Slow the fuck down." When I dipped I was always speeding up my interactions because these people were intruding on my dip space...and all I wanted to do was get alone for a minute to put a fresh one in. Now that I'm quit, I've had to re-teach myself that since there is no fresh dip at the end of that interaction, it's not necessary to rush. And since I'm not rushing, I have no jitter and can be calmer. The part that really woke me up was that as a dipper I found myself resenting people because they were in my dip way. Now that there is no dip, there is no reason to resent people. Sit quiet and listen, learn to endure, then enjoy, the interactions. The futility of snapping at people will recede. Slow your world down. That's all I can tell you because that's what worked for me.
ZC
[/QUOTE]

Brilliant and so true! I never have had patience for people who act slow or talk slow. I am always in "what is next mode", not "what is now". Great Oberservations Zillah cowboy!

[srans]

Rdad and slug.go. I appreciate the responses. I know this, and while I may come across as rude or short please accept my apology as you of all people must know how much of an asshole I am right now.

I guess what I want to hear if your going to respond is how you've gotten through these cravings and mood swings and your experiences with them. Or if you can point me in the direction of some other threads that discuss these issues.

It fucking sucks.

You're neither rude nor short, you're honest. I'm a couple weeks behind you, so I can't offer anything other than encouragement. Just stay the course, my friend. To me, you're a giant because you're at 24!

Paddy,
Here's what I found helpful. During every interaction, especially with ones you love, tell yourself as that interaction starts "Slow the fuck down." When I dipped I was always speeding up my interactions because these people were intruding on my dip space...and all I wanted to do was get alone for a minute to put a fresh one in. Now that I'm quit, I've had to re-teach myself that since there is no fresh dip at the end of that interaction, it's not necessary to rush. And since I'm not rushing, I have no jitter and can be calmer. The part that really woke me up was that as a dipper I found myself resenting people because they were in my dip way. Now that there is no dip, there is no reason to resent people. Sit quiet and listen, learn to endure, then enjoy, the interactions. The futility of snapping at people will recede. Slow your world down. That's all I can tell you because that's what worked for me.
ZC

Zc is definitely on the quit highway. One thing I always think about is how much more I enjoy little things better now. Take a night out with the wife and kids for instance. Eating dinner is so much more pleasurable. I get to sit there and actually enjoy the dinner. The wife and kids actually have some pretty interesting stuff to talk about. I wonder if I actually ever really payed them any real attention while using sometimes. While quit I've actually been out with the family and began thinking of all the time wasted because of the poison. Shed a tear or two and the family wonder what in the world is going on with me. Had to go to the rest room and fix myself.

There isn't enough time in my lifetime to make up for my stupidity. I'm going to damn sure give it a try though. It's a whole new world fellows. Start enjoying life without the poison.

[rdad]

Rdad and slug.go. I appreciate the responses. I know this, and while I may come across as rude or short please accept my apology as you of all people must know how much of an asshole I am right now.

I guess what I want to hear if your going to respond is how you've gotten through these cravings and mood swings and your experiences with them. Or if you can point me in the direction of some other threads that discuss these issues.

It fucking sucks.

You're neither rude nor short, you're honest. I'm a couple weeks behind you, so I can't offer anything other than encouragement. Just stay the course, my friend. To me, you're a giant because you're at 24!

Paddington, all I can do is tell you what I did a week ago when I was at 24 and you are already doing it. I posted roll every morning and promised not to use nicotine today. I kept this forum open all day at work and browsed the introductions and posted my thoughts. When I got a craving, I looked at my clock and ensured that they really do last less than 3 minutes even though it seems like an eternity.

In other words, keep doing what you're doing and it will get better and then it will get worse and then it will get better again etc etc.

Why did you quit in the first place? Remind yourself of that! You have made it 24 days, tomorrow is a new day and I'll be quitting with you! cowboy

Paddington
I will tell you what is working for me. I truly believe that knowledge is power. So when I decided to quit I read everything I could find on nicotine addiction. I have read these 2 books 3 times each in the past 70 days. Freedom from Nicotine, the Journey Home by John R. Polito, and the Easy Way to Quit Smoking, by Allen Carr. They both removed the fear I had of quitting and helped me learn the truth about this poison. Knowledge and the brotherhood of this site have literally and unequivocally saved my life. No bullshit. With me it came down to knowing I wanted to really quit and admitting to myself I didn't know how. I quit 12 days at first by myself on knowledge only and knew I wasn't going to make it alone. We humans are brains and hearts. This place strengthens my heart. I don't know how else to say it.

[ZillahCowboy]

Rdad and slug.go. I appreciate the responses. I know this, and while I may come across as rude or short please accept my apology as you of all people must know how much of an asshole I am right now.

I guess what I want to hear if your going to respond is how you've gotten through these cravings and mood swings and your experiences with them. Or if you can point me in the direction of some other threads that discuss these issues.

It fucking sucks.

You're neither rude nor short, you're honest. I'm a couple weeks behind you, so I can't offer anything other than encouragement. Just stay the course, my friend. To me, you're a giant because you're at 24!

Paddy,
Here's what I found helpful. During every interaction, especially with ones you love, tell yourself as that interaction starts "Slow the fuck down." When I dipped I was always speeding up my interactions because these people were intruding on my dip space...and all I wanted to do was get alone for a minute to put a fresh one in. Now that I'm quit, I've had to re-teach myself that since there is no fresh dip at the end of that interaction, it's not necessary to rush. And since I'm not rushing, I have no jitter and can be calmer. The part that really woke me up was that as a dipper I found myself resenting people because they were in my dip way. Now that there is no dip, there is no reason to resent people. Sit quiet and listen, learn to endure, then enjoy, the interactions. The futility of snapping at people will recede. Slow your world down. That's all I can tell you because that's what worked for me.
ZC

[srans]

I didn't think 24 days into it I would feel this way.

You will do this one day at at a time. You screwed your brain for years,, I say again YEARS!! I'll let you add the days up on your own. You'll probably need a calculator. I say that to say this,,, 24 days is just the beginning. I didn't begin feeling better until about 40 days in. That don't mean I was healed in 40 days. Maybe you will be different though,, you never no. In time you will start to feel better and begin feeling somewhat normal. What is normal exactly!?!? Your guess is as good as mine.

There is a door you need to get to. This door is hard to get to and open. Sharpen your tools, settle in and make your way to the door. I can't tell you how far the door is or how long it will be before you get to this door. You WILL get there one day at a time. I make you one promise and you can take it to the bank. You stay the course, and live by this rule (nafar) you will love where this quit takes you. Life is so much better without the poison.

At this point your going to have some bad days mixed with some good days. Enjoy the good, prepare for the bad. I went through some crap i've never experienced until quitting. It's been an experience and I wouldn't take back one day of it. My worse day quit is better than my best day using. Quit with you today.

Srans thanks for the response.

I get where you are coming from. There is no going back. I don't have any desire to go buy tobacco. Like I said, I saw the wall littered with it today. I have seen that wall nearly daily as I purchased smokey mountain, gum, seeds, candy over the last few weeks. Doing chew is not an option. At the same time though I feel like shit. I don't know where I am going with this, but I know where the door is, I am walking towards it, I am just being a baby and complaining I suppose.

Your 24 days quit on one of the most addictive drugs known to man. Nothing baby about that bro. Your one bad dude. I remember sitting there one night early on and telling my wife I didn't know how in the world I was going to get through it.

After using her, determination, drive, this site and shedding a few tears I made it. That was the turning point in my quit. Quitting comes from deep my friend. Your heart is all in, just going to take a little while for the brain to buy in. You got this bro.

This is what we're here for. To help each other get through it. This is what it's all about. Proud to be quit with you on this friday.

[apogeeammo]

Rdad and slug.go. I appreciate the responses. I know this, and while I may come across as rude or short please accept my apology as you of all people must know how much of an asshole I am right now.

I guess what I want to hear if your going to respond is how you've gotten through these cravings and mood swings and your experiences with them. Or if you can point me in the direction of some other threads that discuss these issues.

It fucking sucks.

You're neither rude nor short, you're honest. I'm a couple weeks behind you, so I can't offer anything other than encouragement. Just stay the course, my friend. To me, you're a giant because you're at 24!

Paddington, all I can do is tell you what I did a week ago when I was at 24 and you are already doing it. I posted roll every morning and promised not to use nicotine today. I kept this forum open all day at work and browsed the introductions and posted my thoughts. When I got a craving, I looked at my clock and ensured that they really do last less than 3 minutes even though it seems like an eternity.

In other words, keep doing what you're doing and it will get better and then it will get worse and then it will get better again etc etc.

Why did you quit in the first place? Remind yourself of that! You have made it 24 days, tomorrow is a new day and I'll be quitting with you! cowboy

[slug.go]

Rdad and slug.go. I appreciate the responses. I know this, and while I may come across as rude or short please accept my apology as you of all people must know how much of an asshole I am right now.

I guess what I want to hear if your going to respond is how you've gotten through these cravings and mood swings and your experiences with them. Or if you can point me in the direction of some other threads that discuss these issues.

It fucking sucks.

You're neither rude nor short, you're honest. I'm a couple weeks behind you, so I can't offer anything other than encouragement. Just stay the course, my friend. To me, you're a giant because you're at 24!

[Paddington]

I didn't think 24 days into it I would feel this way.

You will do this one day at at a time. You screwed your brain for years,, I say again YEARS!! I'll let you add the days up on your own. You'll probably need a calculator. I say that to say this,,, 24 days is just the beginning. I didn't begin feeling better until about 40 days in. That don't mean I was healed in 40 days. Maybe you will be different though,, you never no. In time you will start to feel better and begin feeling somewhat normal. What is normal exactly!?!? Your guess is as good as mine.

There is a door you need to get to. This door is hard to get to and open. Sharpen your tools, settle in and make your way to the door. I can't tell you how far the door is or how long it will be before you get to this door. You WILL get there one day at a time. I make you one promise and you can take it to the bank. You stay the course, and live by this rule (nafar) you will love where this quit takes you. Life is so much better without the poison.

At this point your going to have some bad days mixed with some good days. Enjoy the good, prepare for the bad. I went through some crap i've never experienced until quitting. It's been an experience and I wouldn't take back one day of it. My worse day quit is better than my best day using. Quit with you today.

Srans thanks for the response.

I get where you are coming from. There is no going back. I don't have any desire to go buy tobacco. Like I said, I saw the wall littered with it today. I have seen that wall nearly daily as I purchased smokey mountain, gum, seeds, candy over the last few weeks. Doing chew is not an option. At the same time though I feel like shit. I don't know where I am going with this, but I know where the door is, I am walking towards it, I am just being a baby and complaining I suppose.

[Paddington]

Rdad and slug.go. I appreciate the responses. I know this, and while I may come across as rude or short please accept my apology as you of all people must know how much of an asshole I am right now.

I guess what I want to hear if your going to respond is how you've gotten through these cravings and mood swings and your experiences with them. Or if you can point me in the direction of some other threads that discuss these issues.

It fucking sucks.

[srans]

I didn't think 24 days into it I would feel this way.

You will do this one day at at a time. You screwed your brain for years,, I say again YEARS!! I'll let you add the days up on your own. You'll probably need a calculator. I say that to say this,,, 24 days is just the beginning. I didn't begin feeling better until about 40 days in. That don't mean I was healed in 40 days. Maybe you will be different though,, you never no. In time you will start to feel better and begin feeling somewhat normal. What is normal exactly!?!? Your guess is as good as mine.

There is a door you need to get to. This door is hard to get to and open. Sharpen your tools, settle in and make your way to the door. I can't tell you how far the door is or how long it will be before you get to this door. You WILL get there one day at a time. I make you one promise and you can take it to the bank. You stay the course, and live by this rule (nafar) you will love where this quit takes you. Life is so much better without the poison.

At this point your going to have some bad days mixed with some good days. Enjoy the good, prepare for the bad. I went through some crap i've never experienced until quitting. It's been an experience and I wouldn't take back one day of it. My worse day quit is better than my best day using. Quit with you today.

[slug.go]

Yea so today has gotten pretty bad. I am actually jonesing worse than I did during the first 72 hours. I feel pretty shitty and upset. I didn't think 24 days into it I would feel this way.

Paddington, you have to have faith that you are on the right path and that things will get better. This is all mental for you now. Your brain needs time to heal itself. Our bodies are miraculous machines. Give it a chance. Great things are over the horizon if you tuff it out and believe. You've got to come to the realization that dip did NOTHING for you.

Paddington,
Life is a struggle sometimes, dipper or non-dipper. You know this. You've been offered an opportunity to excel, accept it. You've been through tougher challenges and triumphed. You got this, amigo. YOU GOT THIS! IT"S YOURS, OWN IT!!

[rdad]

Yea so today has gotten pretty bad. I am actually jonesing worse than I did during the first 72 hours. I feel pretty shitty and upset. I didn't think 24 days into it I would feel this way.

Paddington, you have to have faith that you are on the right path and that things will get better. This is all mental for you now. Your brain needs time to heal itself. Our bodies are miraculous machines. Give it a chance. Great things are over the horizon if you tuff it out and believe. You've got to come to the realization that dip did NOTHING for you.

[Paddington]

Yea so today has gotten pretty bad. I am actually jonesing worse than I did during the first 72 hours. I feel pretty shitty and upset. I didn't think 24 days into it I would feel this way.

[Derk40]

Day 24. Been pretty stress free last few days. Went to work and came home. Been hiking, playing video games, being a homebody. Going through a can or two of smokey mountain and chewing a bag of seeds a day. Today went into town to visit the PO BOX. Nothing good ever comes in the mail. Always a bill, someone wanting something, or some bullshit I have to deal with.

Ended up being all three this morning.

I am not going to chew, I already signed today's roll call. That is a promise I will not break. I ended up going to a gas station and purchased seeds and fake chew. Cleaned them completely out. I saw the chew on the wall but I did not actually have an urge to buy it. It is strange. I don't think I ever liked chew, I just liked the action of doing it and the reaction I got from the nicotine. Since I have figured out ways to trick myself, I am fine using the seeds and smokey mountain, although it still does not satisfy me like chew did.

I hope that rant was coherent. Regardless of its clarity it made me feel better just typing it up.

So here is my question. You know that feeling of doom that we fixed with tobacco? I have obviously replaced it with seeds and fake snuff. While better I don't think it is appropriate. I should be able to handle situations like opening the mail without the world coming to an end. How long did it take all of you to fight these little stresses. That is if you even had them to begin with.

End rant.

24 days is great. Don't worry about how many seeds or how much smoky mountain you are using right now. All you need to worry about is staying quit TODAY. That is all you need to worry about.

Both those products are totally safe. Use them at will! The can of death will kill you!

In time you will begin to feel better. At some point the need to use seeds and smokey will likely go away. Try other things like candy, gum to change it up.

You have to believe us that it will get better. But you also have to believe that you need to focus ODAAT. You got to focus today and staying quit. I know it is hard but this fight is worth it.

I'm quit with you all day long.