DAY 1

[Reaper]

Day 14

Yesterday I had to repair my porch the steps decided that they wanted to fall through. Normally I would throw a dip in and rage about how am I a gonna get this fixed but this time was way different. this time I drove the 40 miles to the closest Lowes got some supplies and went to work. Now lets get something straight I am a UAV Pilot for the Army and I am not a carpenter at all but what happened next was awesome.

I got back with all the supplies and got my tools and went to work before I knew it I had rebuilt a whole new set of stairs hand rails and added unique touches to it all that I didn't know I could do. All of this was done NIC FREE and I had a lot clearer mind set and I was so busy I didn't have time to crave a dip. Hell I didn't even get frustrated when something didn't look right I just stepped back thought for a second and tried something else until it worked out.

I can feel the clearer thoughts that I haven't felt in years. My mind is not clouded because of if I get frustrated I would do what it took to find a dip and felt that it would make it all better but in reality I am thinking and acting a lot better without it. The first half of my life was nicotine driven and now I am planning on living the rest NIC Free. No screw that not planning I am going to live the rest of my life NIC Free.

Its a awesome feeling being free of that Bitch and able to think for myself for the first time in 17 years with out the aid of nicotine.

[srans]

Day 11

Day 10 wasnt to bad the temper i was able to keep at bay by keeping to myself most of the day.  All in all it was a good day unitl... i went to sleep.  then the vivid dreams kicked in of having a dip at a party.  Even though it was a dream it seemed real.  Today is going ok the cravings have eased up for now.  Rick and Dawg thanks for the advice it is good to know that i might be in a week to where i can recharge but i also know like everything else when things become easy for you the temptation will grow more. 

I will stay true to my word and i will get back on the site more.  i have been in classes all week for the Army and havent been able to talk as much as i would like.  thank you all for the ongoing support and advice in my quit.

Brandon

Yea the dip dreams can be a real bitch, i have woke up pissed off at myself many times in a cold sweat thinking i had caved. But they are a great reminder of how caving would make you feel, horrible. I went back and read your thread, You really seem to get this site and how we quit. Keep adding those +1's ODAAT. I quit with you erussell day 180.

Great job on your quit. Speaking of dip dreams. Me and this guy ^^^ ( the erussell) met during the summer. I found out he was not far from me while vacationing. I highly recommend meeting a fellow quitter anytime it's possible. Meeting this guy was one the highlights in my quit.

The day before our meet I had the craziest dream. We met for breakfast and erussell brought a can. We had are breakfast, eddie pulls out the can. I didn't take much persuading and me and him were dipping our brains out. What a effin dream I tell you!! During the dream we discussed how this would be just between us. WTF!!! Never in a million years would either of us contemplate this!!! This dream was out of the world.

Well of course we met and had great conversation. I Learned a lot about this guy and I can tell you, his integrity, drive and determination was through the roof. There was no can,, only two quitters keeping their word. We talked about our addiction and life. After breakfast both of our quits were stronger than ever. I have a friend for life and there is no way I can ever tell eddie I've caved. He made my quit stronger that day.

Still, to this day that's the craziest dip dream I've ever had. I still have them once in a while, but they just mean I'm still quit. Quit with you today.

[Reaper]

Thanks russell your right ODAAT.

[Erussell]

Day 11

Day 10 wasnt to bad the temper i was able to keep at bay by keeping to myself most of the day. All in all it was a good day unitl... i went to sleep. then the vivid dreams kicked in of having a dip at a party. Even though it was a dream it seemed real. Today is going ok the cravings have eased up for now. Rick and Dawg thanks for the advice it is good to know that i might be in a week to where i can recharge but i also know like everything else when things become easy for you the temptation will grow more.

I will stay true to my word and i will get back on the site more. i have been in classes all week for the Army and havent been able to talk as much as i would like. thank you all for the ongoing support and advice in my quit.

Brandon

Yea the dip dreams can be a real bitch, i have woke up pissed off at myself many times in a cold sweat thinking i had caved. But they are a great reminder of how caving would make you feel, horrible. I went back and read your thread, You really seem to get this site and how we quit. Keep adding those +1's ODAAT. I quit with you erussell day 180.

[Reaper]

Day 11

Day 10 wasnt to bad the temper i was able to keep at bay by keeping to myself most of the day. All in all it was a good day unitl... i went to sleep. then the vivid dreams kicked in of having a dip at a party. Even though it was a dream it seemed real. Today is going ok the cravings have eased up for now. Rick and Dawg thanks for the advice it is good to know that i might be in a week to where i can recharge but i also know like everything else when things become easy for you the temptation will grow more.

I will stay true to my word and i will get back on the site more. i have been in classes all week for the Army and havent been able to talk as much as i would like. thank you all for the ongoing support and advice in my quit.

Brandon

[rickddd]

Nic rages can be tough, Reaper. Every single qutter gets them, I think its your body/mind learning to deal with stress, without being drugged up by nicotine.

Some are just unavoidable, but try to come on this site and take out your rage on us - or get out of the house and go for a run, or the gym lifting weights can really relieve stress and anxiety.

The main thing is that you start recognizing them as they are starting up, so you can catch it before you punch something/somebody, and find a healthy way to let it out or control it.

They do start to decrease as you learn to catch them, and they become less intense and easier to control, the farther you get into your quit. At least for me, thats how it worked.

[ParadigmDawg]

11 days in now. Day 11-30 were my cruise control days and everything got way easier. Hopefully you will get this same break as it is needed to help you recharge your batteries and get ready for a few more fights.

Even though these days were pretty darn easy for me, it's when my temper got way out of control so be careful on that part. I don't have any good advice for the temper issue as I didn't do well on that part. All I really could do was just tell people how sorry I once I got my head screwed back on correctly.

[ParadigmDawg]

****Duplicate post***

[Reaper]

Thanks Jake appreciate the looking out for me and the encouraging words

[jake frawley]

Day 9

i noticed the temper is flaring more than usual.  i had a temper along time ago and it took some interesting events in Iraq to make me loose the temper and calm down.  The only problem with that was i relied on the nicotine to keep me calm when stressed.  I now instead of dipping or smoking i grab a stick of gum and a bottle of water or go beat the shit out of a punching bag.  Either way i will get the temper back under control as well as the loss of nicotine.

I really appreciate all the support and the heads up on what to expect.  Monster thanks for the advice about cutting back on some of the sugar thats a good idea and Dawg thanks for the heads up on what to expect in the days to come. 

This site helps me stay focused on the control of winning the battle.  if there is anything i can do to help you all in return please let me know.  thanks.

Brandon XXX-XXX-XXXX

It can take awhile before you get over the "rage" stage but always remember why you are going through this! You are gaining your freedom and very soon you will open a door ( to quote Srans ) and realize that you are happy again and your new freedom is so much better then self medication with nicotine, and the anger settles down. We have tried to kill our bodies with this poison. It is only natural that the rewiring is uncomfortable. But so worth it! You are doing well and I am glad to see you bringing these thoughts to your intro. Always keep a record to look back on. Well done!

P.S. I love the willingness to put your self out there but try not to post your number on the public intros. It becomes fair game for trollers. I asked an Admin to X it out for you.

[Dougie]

It took the first 70 days for me to figure out how to deal with the flares. Just try to keep it in front and recognize what it is.

[Reaper]

Day 9

i noticed the temper is flaring more than usual. i had a temper along time ago and it took some interesting events in Iraq to make me loose the temper and calm down. The only problem with that was i relied on the nicotine to keep me calm when stressed. I now instead of dipping or smoking i grab a stick of gum and a bottle of water or go beat the shit out of a punching bag. Either way i will get the temper back under control as well as the loss of nicotine.

I really appreciate all the support and the heads up on what to expect. Monster thanks for the advice about cutting back on some of the sugar thats a good idea and Dawg thanks for the heads up on what to expect in the days to come.

This site helps me stay focused on the control of winning the battle. if there is anything i can do to help you all in return please let me know. thanks.

Brandon XXX-XXX-XXXX

[ParadigmDawg]

Day 8

Cravings begin to get stronger and here i thought i was passed the worst of it.  with the help of junk food and water i was able to drive through it.  i might have a few more cavities for the dentist to fix but at least my lip will still be intact.  i get home from work and start looking into the site more to see we had some new members in the group and some that haven't made roll in a while.  i spent the better part of an hour or so sending them all emails and encouraging them.  that helped kill any cravings i had cause i feel i let them down especially the one that decided to leave the site.  Hopefully he will stay in touch but we help all those we can and hope for the best.

Another day done and ready to move onto Day 9 and put a good old fashion ass woopin on it.

Hey buddy,

I have become pretty good about telling who will make it and who won't. You my friend, will beat this thing.

You have some good fight in you and you stay really active on this board and those two things will lead to success.

I can't wait to see you in a few more weeks as you start having more good days and way less bad ones.

It freaks me out how much better I was after just 60 short days.

Day 61-73: The best days by far. Seldom think about dip, temper is way better, sleeping like a normal person and just feeling pretty darn good. I am stacking up these good days to recharge my batteries and prepare for the next round of fights".

Day 74- 85: Really good days. Strong cravings when I have too many drinks so I have been careful with drinking. Normal days are now 0-1 crave. My temper has been completely under control for 2 weeks now.

Day 86-94: Zero craves, zero dip dreams and temper under control. The strong craves when I drink are also gone. I am disgusted when I see someone dip. Proudly watching my group hit HOF one at a time; which is just how we quit, one day at a time. My guard is still held high as I know the fight is far from over.

[Skoal Monster]

Day 8

Cravings begin to get stronger and here i thought i was passed the worst of it.  with the help of junk food and water i was able to drive through it.  i might have a few more cavities for the dentist to fix but at least my lip will still be intact.  i get home from work and start looking into the site more to see we had some new members in the group and some that haven't made roll in a while.  i spent the better part of an hour or so sending them all emails and encouraging them.  that helped kill any cravings i had cause i feel i let them down especially the one that decided to leave the site.  Hopefully he will stay in touch but we help all those we can and hope for the best.

Another day done and ready to move onto Day 9 and put a good old fashion ass woopin on it.

Great work, Reaper!!! thats how its done, bro. Whatever it takes. And believe me, the tough times will be fewer and farther between, the more days you stay quit.

This looks like the beginning of a badass quit. Keep on doing what you are doing.
I had a similar experience when I first started reaching out to newer folks. Some of them vanished. Just know that you were trying to help, and they weren't ready for it. (I wrote about it in my intro if you care to see another take on it, and the responses I got.)

Reaper, lay off the honey glazed bacon wrapped sugar bombs.

When you spike and crash your blood sugar you get craves. You need to maintain an even blood sugar, try sipping on pineapple juice or orange juice. Eat some protein for breakfast.

8 days of quit is awesome, but it doesn't undo years of damage, be patient. Your going to have up days and down days, it's gonna suck until it doesn't.

Exercise has been clinical proven to reduce both the intensity of craves and the frequency. Take a walk a few times a day, it will help.

Order some fake if you need it, my preference was oregon mint because it didn't really taste like dip but the cinnamon flavor had a little burn to it. Some guys like seeds better.

The only thing you need to worry about is how to keep yourself quit today. Whats your plan?

This is a link to a pdf of a book that I have reccommended to numerous others. It is called The easy way to quit smoking by Alan Carr. It is a pretty easy read and has some things in it that will help you tremendously.

http://media.wix.com/ugd/74fa87_2010cc5 ... 34a829.pdf

[CaliforniaSlim]

Day 8

Cravings begin to get stronger and here i thought i was passed the worst of it.  with the help of junk food and water i was able to drive through it.  i might have a few more cavities for the dentist to fix but at least my lip will still be intact.  i get home from work and start looking into the site more to see we had some new members in the group and some that haven't made roll in a while.  i spent the better part of an hour or so sending them all emails and encouraging them.  that helped kill any cravings i had cause i feel i let them down especially the one that decided to leave the site.  Hopefully he will stay in touch but we help all those we can and hope for the best.

Another day done and ready to move onto Day 9 and put a good old fashion ass woopin on it.

Great work, Reaper!!! thats how its done, bro. Whatever it takes. And believe me, the tough times will be fewer and farther between, the more days you stay quit.

This looks like the beginning of a badass quit. Keep on doing what you are doing.
I had a similar experience when I first started reaching out to newer folks. Some of them vanished. Just know that you were trying to help, and they weren't ready for it. (I wrote about it in my intro if you care to see another take on it, and the responses I got.)