Howdy, Folks.
I have lurked here off and on over the years, thinking about stopping but never fully pulling the trigger like I should have.
Well, Three days ago, March 7th, 2015 I started my quit.
It all started about 13 years ago when I was 18 years old and joined our local fire department. EVERYONE there chewed and I wanted to fit in with the big boys, who doesn't, right? Well after many times of trying and getting sick (clue?) it finally stuck and I chewed from them until three days ago. Some failed attempts in between to stop using nic replacement but it never worked. Felt like i was just swapping dip for gum or patches, so I just started dipping again.
Anyway, this is killing me. I'm sure all of you have been through this same thing. My job, involves driving and heading to some pretty tense stuff sometimes, and, I work nights...so, for the past 8 years of my career I have stepped in the car, and put a dip in. Get a call, dip, clear a call, dip, you can see where my biggest challenge will probably be, work.
I have been blasting through bags of sunflower seeds like they are my life blood. Chewing gum? I'm gonna own stock at the end of this. My jaw is KILLING me from chewing so much gum. I find myself sweating, then being cold, feeling dizzy then suddenly being all better, being pissed off as all hell over the rattle on the dash of my rig, being TIRED. Did anyone else face extreme exhaustion? I'm tired, just flat tired. I work 12 hours shifts and by hour 8 I'm toast. This has never been a problem for me before. I'm getting plenty of "sleep" if you wanna call it that. I find I lay down and..kinda sleep? I lay there, it feels like I'm asleep but I don't think my mind actually stops...again, never a problem before I threw that can away..
I started my quit the afternoon I woke up for work this week. Two things happened, we have a kid on the way and I promised the wife, secondly, work has banned all use of tobacco products on the property, in vehicles, in view of the public, while in uniform, etc. So, pretty much, ain't happening on the clock unless you hide good. The boss pulled me in the office last week and said, "Heads up, this is coming, and I know it's going to effect you."
So, I have been wanting to quit for some time, I guess I just needed the push?
Anyway, gonna work on figuring out this roll call thing...and, here we go..I'm ready.
