D-Day was Feb 28/Mar 01, 2010

[sensei]

pulling out your dick at the grocery store does the trick.

I agree, this is like an ice cold Colt 45.... It Works Every Time.

[DeanTheCoot]

Day 45 -

I still don't feel like my old self, and I may not for a long time. Reading through what others 100s of days ahead of me went through, considering the length of time I used dip, and recollecting a year plus quit in 2005 and early 2006, it will be awhile before I feel "normal" again.

First of all: FANTASTIC work, Alec. Forty-five days is no joke. And yes, quitting is a day-to-day thing (or a minute-to-minute thing for some, like myself), but it's OK to keep in mind that you've done 45+ days; you can do another 45, and then another, and so on. You have it in you to beat this shit into submission.

Secondly: Don't worry about feeling like you used to...what you believe is "normal." The fact is, you are redefining what's normal, pal. Stay quit, and you'll soon feel as "normal" as you once did, plus a fair measure better.

Third: Make the quit easier by making yourself laugh as often as possible. Farting loudly in public and acknowledging it vocally (e.g., "Holy COW!!!) or pulling out your dick at the grocery store does the trick.

[allec]

Just remember, when it comes to quitting there is no "luck"

Good wisdom, Sensei.

The only "luck" involved here will be whether or not 22 years living by the can gives me cancer or contributes to heart disease.

[sensei]

That's a solid plan there, if you take your own advice you will stay quit for the rest of your life.

Just remember, when it comes to quitting there is no "luck"

[allec]

Day 45 -

I still don't feel like my old self, and I may not for a long time. Reading through what others 100s of days ahead of me went through, considering the length of time I used dip, and recollecting a year plus quit in 2005 and early 2006, it will be awhile before I feel "normal" again.

But I feel pretty good about my quit.

I've seen something here that bothers me. And maybe there is always two or three people in each group that don't get it, but what's up with the repeat day 1s?

If you are new and are reading this, here are the basic rules for success here:

1. Post roll. That is your promise for the day not to use nicotine in any way, shape, or form. I'll give you an example.

Allec gets up at 12:30 am to do his business. He posts roll that morning. That means he promised not to dip, smoke, chew gum, or use a patch until 12:01 am the next day. If he does, then he lied and broke his word.

2. If you have a midnight crave, post roll early in the day. You've given your word for the day.

3. Interact with others and get some phone numbers. You might never need them, but if you get to a point where a crave might turn into a cave, you have someone to call.

4. Don't post roll and cave the same day.

5. Make it as hard as possible to cave. Burn your boats - meaning throw out your cans, get some phone numbers, promise to talk to someone if things don't look good, and be accountable. Telling us about a cave is no good - it means you didn't make yourself accountable.

6. Post roll daily.

7. This is the most important. Admit you are an addict to one of the most addictive substances known to man, and that this is a battle for your life. Maybe it would be nicotine induced cancer that gets you or maybe it would be nicotine induced heart disease, but know that you are an addict.

8. This might not be obvious, but the tools here are free and they work when used properly.

Good luck.

[allec]

Enjoy days like this, they will help you pull through the rough days. They start to come more often !

Day 40 -

Based on what I have been reading, I knew this was coming. I've also experienced this in 2005 when I quit for over a year. I seem to have a funk about every 3 weeks. Day 20 or 21, and now Day 40.

I posted the good Day 22 I had. Now I am going to rant about Day 40.

Quite frankly, this bothers the shit out of me. I quit dipping (again and for good, when considered on a day to day basis), but this time, I have been sick off an on for 40 days. I think it is the spring allergies. And my blood pressure has increased for some reason to a disturbing level - probably all of the OTC stuff I am taking to battle the allergies. Because quitting certainly would not increase it.

The best health related decision I have made is to put the can out of my life. I feel better in many ways, but my overall quality of life the past 40 days has been shitty due to allergies and some other issues in my personal and professional life. I cannot seem to catch a break.

Stepping back from all of it, I know four things

1. Dip is not going to change any of this.
2. Every day I post roll, dip is removed from the equation. Therefore, since I post roll or check in daily, dip is removed from the equation.
3. A particularly bad day is usually followed by a longer string of good days each time. So tomorrow or Sunday will be the start of a good string of days.
4. If it gets really bad, I do have some numbers to call.

Carry on, post roll daily, read the board, and no spelunking or other activities involving caves.

[Greg5280]

Day 38

I woke up this morning and went about my business. This morning was a little different. It was about 3 hours before I even thought about dip or, for that matter, checking in and posting roll. I am glad in that I did not wake up with a crave or a thought of a dip.

Once the thought came into my head, I immediately pulled over and checked in via Iphone.

The fact that dip was not even on my radar warms my heart, even if it was only for a few hours.

All of that being said, I have no illusions that I have this beat "forever". I can say with a 100% degree of confidence that I do have this beat today.

For me, posting roll daily or checking in via the iphone is the cornerstone to my quit.

Enjoy days like this, they will help you pull through the rough days. They start to come more often ! Posting roll is vital in my quit too ! I have not missed a single day since I posted my first day and I do not plan on stopping any time soon.

This place has me quit longer than anything I ever did on my own. Posting roll is painless and it works... why quit it !?!?!

Keep fighting.. you are doing a great job

[allec]

Day 38

I woke up this morning and went about my business. This morning was a little different. It was about 3 hours before I even thought about dip or, for that matter, checking in and posting roll. I am glad in that I did not wake up with a crave or a thought of a dip.

Once the thought came into my head, I immediately pulled over and checked in via Iphone.

The fact that dip was not even on my radar warms my heart, even if it was only for a few hours.

All of that being said, I have no illusions that I have this beat "forever". I can say with a 100% degree of confidence that I do have this beat today.

For me, posting roll daily or checking in via the iphone is the cornerstone to my quit.

[Ready]

Day 32

One month in. The sun still rises in the east and sets in the west, I can do all of the things without dip that I used to do with dip, the fog is fading, and life marches on.

I have had a particularly shitty and stressful month at home and at work to top it off, but it's so much damn easier without having schedule my daily activities around when I needed to sneak off for a dip.

What has been key for me is posting roll daily - either the normal way or by iphone.

Exercise is almost a daily part of my life (5 or 6 days out of 7 in a given week), and since the cravings are slowly, slowly abating, my food intake is abating as well.

The most important lesson for me is this - I am an addict, I can never have any sort of nicotine ever again, and actively monitoring my quit is now part of my life.

Freedom is great. You need to keep fighting for it. It will get easier but you still need to fight.

Enjoy the good times. You're earning it every time you crush a crave.

[allec]

Day 32

One month in. The sun still rises in the east and sets in the west, I can do all of the things without dip that I used to do with dip, the fog is fading, and life marches on.

I have had a particularly shitty and stressful month at home and at work to top it off, but it's so much damn easier without having schedule my daily activities around when I needed to sneak off for a dip.

What has been key for me is posting roll daily - either the normal way or by iphone.

Exercise is almost a daily part of my life (5 or 6 days out of 7 in a given week), and since the cravings are slowly, slowly abating, my food intake is abating as well.

The most important lesson for me is this - I am an addict, I can never have any sort of nicotine ever again, and actively monitoring my quit is now part of my life.

[allec]

Day 24

Just a note to remind myself how much the first 20 days or so of this sucked. I need to refer back to this when my mind strays or a particularly intense crave hits.

-Remember the fog and inability to focus on anything for more than 30 seconds?
-Remember the irratibility and overall lack of patience with even trivial stuff?
-Remember the blank stare I gave my wife when I was asked something because my mind was elsewhere?
-Remember the horrible craves that could only be satisfied by with sugar and other empty junk?
-Remember the insomnia?
-Remember the guilt for having been a slave to the can so long?
-Remember the time I quit in 2005 for over 400 days, thought one would not hurt, and took four years to get back to this point?
- Remember every time a sore or white spot showed up wondering whether I had cancer?

I need to note all of this, because the last three or so weeks have been a fog and will likely forgotten.

I never, ever, ever, ever, ever will go through this again.

I may be an addict, but I am bleeping done with this stuff one day at a time!

[CalNotKodiakBears]

Craves - check, but manageable.
Fog - check, but not as much as I expected.
Blood pressure - down.
Resting pulse - way down.

I'm glad I read this. One of my main "justifications" for continuing to dip after being diagnosed with high blood pressure was that articles online wouldn't tie it to long-term high blood pressure... only short-term.

I"m only on day 3, but the change in my BP is absolutely noticable.

This is one of many reasons for my quit, and I'm pleased to see results like this so immediately.

[mordecai]

Day 22 - It gets better

For me, the fog started to lift a couple of days ago. I actually no longer have the "don't give a shits." The past three weeks have been a blur. I feel good, have kept my weight stable, and have smooth gums and mouth lining.

Some things I have learned that may help you are as follows:

1. The words of wisdom section of this site has some nice articles that tell one what to expect next. Out of the blue craves or a "funk" at a certain point in time should not be unexpected.

2. Daily exercise in the mornings has helped me.

3. Posting roll and knowing someone has to sign off on a cave has kept me on the straight and narrow. Get some numbers.

4. It's all a mind game now.

5. I will always be an addict. It will be, for the rest of my life, a one day at a time battle. I will never, never, never, never give up, I will succeed, and my fight might become as second nature as brushing my teeth, but the minute I think I am not longer an addict is the minute I have the potential to make a poor decision.

6. There is a wealth of information on this site. Read, read, read.

7. The key to success is to always say no to a crave. Conceptually, it is as simple as a yes/no decision and nothing else.

8. Alcohol is not my friend right now. Maybe down the road, but two beers is about what it would take to send me down the road of dumbassery at this point in my quit.

Wise, wise words. You, my friend, get it! Congrats on Day 22.
I'd say get ready for the funks but it sounds like you are ready.

[allec]

Day 22 - It gets better

For me, the fog started to lift a couple of days ago. I actually no longer have the "don't give a shits." The past three weeks have been a blur. I feel good, have kept my weight stable, and have smooth gums and mouth lining.

Some things I have learned that may help you are as follows:

1. The words of wisdom section of this site has some nice articles that tell one what to expect next. Out of the blue craves or a "funk" at a certain point in time should not be unexpected.

2. Daily exercise in the mornings has helped me.

3. Posting roll and knowing someone has to sign off on a cave has kept me on the straight and narrow. Get some numbers.

4. It's all a mind game now.

5. I will always be an addict. It will be, for the rest of my life, a one day at a time battle. I will never, never, never, never give up, I will succeed, and my fight might become as second nature as brushing my teeth, but the minute I think I am not longer an addict is the minute I have the potential to make a poor decision.

6. There is a wealth of information on this site. Read, read, read.

7. The key to success is to always say no to a crave. Conceptually, it is as simple as a yes/no decision and nothing else.

8. Alcohol is not my friend right now. Maybe down the road, but two beers is about what it would take to send me down the road of dumbassery at this point in my quit.

[Dr. Bruce Banner]

Day 16 - Celebrate the small successes and fight one battle at a time

Yesterday was hard. If one reads this board and mines it for every scrap of information available, it should be no surprise that at two weeks the nic bitch comes back and comes back hard.

For me, that was Day 15. The craves, all less than five minutes, came early and came often. I posted roll call, which ensured that I was quit for the day. And then I spent almost all day here, in a fog, reading, participating, and reminding myself that I am quit and gave my word for the day.

A couple of sessions of chat, some well timed PMs, and the positive energy from this board got me through this. I also ate like there was no tomorrow.

Thankfully, I have exercised almost every day of my new life without nicotine. Conditioning drills and calisthenics are ugly and hard, but (i) exercise helps with the craves and (ii) I need to burn some calories to offset the increased caloric intake I have had recently.

I need to focus on the quit and deal with the food issue later when my quit is stronger.

My successes -

1. I made it through the worst cravings I have had to date
2. Sixteen days in, my weight has held steady.

Well done.

It is very nice to see when people read the infomation on the site. For me knowing what was coming helped a lot.

Great work Allec... Keep fighting !!

Brudda, that kicks Ass!!!! Well done!