I started dipping 20+ years ago at age 15, progressed to about a can/day of cope snuff. I did everything with a dip in, and before I knew it it was a part of who I was or thought I was. I felt like superman with a dip in my lip there was nothing I couldn't do with my old friend Cope Snuff along with me. My days usually started about 5:30am with coffee dip before I even showered, most days I'd skip breakfast and throw in another dip on the way to the office or one of my jobsites. 9-10 am I'd usually would throw in another dip way in the back so no one in the office could tell, dipped at work for 15+ years at all times and not once did anyone notice. Once I finished my lunch, it was time for one my favorite dips of the day the "afterlunch dip". Depending on the day, I may have 1-3 dips before 4pm came and it was time to go sit in traffic with my buddy Cope always riding shotgun. I'd get home spit that one out play with the kids a bit, have a small pre dinner dip followed by a proper after dinner dip. Shortly after that, I'd hit the gym or the trails and streets to get my workout or miles in. As soon as I was done working out, I threw in another dip and headed home. Once home, it was time for once last bite to eat and my other favorite dip of the day the "nightcap". Progressively over the years I began to forget to take the nightcap out and found often I'd rather fall asleep on the couch with the damn dip in my face than go to bed at a reasonable time with my smoking hot wife.
I had the world by the tail or so I thought, had no real desire to quit.....In February of this year lost a good friend and mentor to a sudden heart attack. He was a little over 40 in near perfect health and a non tobacco user, woke up in the middle of the night told his wife his arm hurt and was dead within minutes. Went to the funeral and it was there that I heard the swirlings of whispers that everyone hates to hear at funeral. This young healthy man had given very little thought to his own mortality and the possibility that he may go before he was ready. He had 3 children and a beautiful wife and no life insurance.His family was left to navigate a world without their main breadwinner. This moment provided a clear picture of a place I never wanted to end up. I did some soul searching that weekend and the following Monday made a call to get a quote for life insurance. I found out that I could get $1 milllion 20 year term policy for $55-60/mo. I was honest and said I had used tobacco in the past and was told I still may be able to get a better rate if I could abstain for 15 days before my physical. Day 1-5 were a living hell for me, my body did not know how to react. I drank coffee and water like crazy and worked out multiple times per day, but somehow I made it through. I made it to day 15 and had my blood drawn and am proud to say that if I should die tomorrow by kids will have college paid for, the wife can pay off the house and have some security in that she will financially be ok. You see I added up the totals and found I've spent a bit over $20,000 on Copenhagen and at least $4,000 in dental work to mitigate the effects of the copenhagen and I finally realized my buddy copenhagen was never going to positively contribute to my life. It truly was a moment of clarity where I just realized this habit is FUCKING STUPID, AND CAN ONLY CAUSE ME HARM. So I traded it in, and for literally about 1/3 of what I spent monthly on chew, I now have the piece of mind of knowing that my family is covered if my number gets called early.
I'm now on day 51, yesterday was the first day I posted roll. I came to this site about 3 weeks ago and watched from the sidelines. When I would have a difficult time I would come here and read the stories of inspiration and it truly helped to keep the quit going. I have such a sense of freedom and better health now, as you could tell from my first paragraph, I was a prisoner to nicotine and vow everyday to stay free............Lastly the fake chew worked wonders and still does occasionally for me. I used Smokey Mountain from time to time and truthfully they all taste pretty much like shit and they are not really the same. But it does give you just enough of that familiar feeling to get you through a crave and keep you clean which at the end of the day is all that matters.
Good luck to all and thanks to all that have already reached out and to those that continually help their brothers beat this demon though this site
