Introduction

[JRizzle]

Day 7 - Foggy morning, but the sun eventually burned the fog away to reveal a beautiful, clear, nic-free day. Went to Twins game and didn't even think about the dip

Day 8 - Still recovering from pulling an all-nighter, but got up, posted roll and quit.



I also had some issues with the ex on day 7. Didn't even think about reaching for the tin through all the drama. I know there are tough days ahead (just like winter's just around the corner in A Game of Thrones). But today I celebrate in the quit. I celebrate my mouth healing itself. I celebrate having fellowship and people that give a shit in my life. I celebrate my freedom today. I celebrate not being a slave to nicotine and all its ridiculous, suffocating demands. I celebrate and dedicate my quit to you all today.

[alogan1023]

JRizzle; I like the parallels that you draw with lessons in the good book and the lessons learned from those who frequent these pages. In the moments of strong crave (*early days) I leaned on Phillipians 4:13 and Mathew 6:34.

[FuFuTheSnu]

Jrizzle, I want you to know that I am impressed with you. You seem to really get it. I've only been here three weeks but already I've seen people come and go. But then a guy like you steps on the scene and it's exciting! Neither one of us can get ahead of ourselves here but I look forward to reading what you have to say, seeing you offer support and strengthen other people's quit. Many of us wish we had your wisdom at that age. There are some young guys in your group that I've seen in chat. Kaw is brand new.... He's a young guy. Sack is coming back (hopefully with a very humble apology and changed ways) and he's a young guy. I know there are others. I can see you leading that group. I just want to let you know I'm paying attention as I'm sure many with far more days than me.

Also... Join us in chat sometime. :)

I'm also very impressed with your quit brother. It sound like lhg knows what to look for when she's looking for a quitter that means business. You are taking all the necessary steps to make this quit the most important thing in your life. Evil won made a good post on your thread a day or two ago. Read it again,, it takes a while for things like that to sink in.

Keep up the quit and getting involved with other quits. Before you know it the days will add and lies will be revealed. I quit with you today and any day that ends with a y.

Thanks guys. You'll find out that I tend to be a philosophizer sometimes (Dodgeball reference), but this site really resonates because of all the parallels I see between this site and salvation:

- This site offers incredible grace (we don't judge you for your past, you don't need to be ashamed of your addiction here)

- This site offers incredible truth (just as God absolutely cannot tolerate sin, we absolutely do not tolerate nicotine use)

- The offer to joy is constantly extended to us (in this case joy is the cessation of tobacco) but it's up to us to participate and if anyone is lukewarm they get spit out (no pun intended)

- The devil (nicotine) tries to isolate us and separate us from the group just like a wolf would isolate a lamb from the flock, so fellowship is absolutely essential


So this site has allowed me to unload a lot of the shame and fear that I've felt for years while simultaneously giving me a kick in the butt and providing fellowship.


LHG, I agree too that it's important not to get the cart in front of the horse. Take it a day at a time. It reminds me of the parable of the spilled seed:


A man spilled seed as he was carrying a bag.

- Some of it was eaten by the birds (people that never find this, or any, encouragement to quit)

- Some of it fell on shallow soil so that it sprung up quickly but quickly withered away (newbies with a lot of excitement that cave because they can't sustain the energy)

- Some of it grew but was choked out by weeds (people who quit but eventually let a tough crave or stress get the best of them)

- Some of it fell on fertile soil and yielded a tremendous harvest (HOFers and vets that continue quit daily and provide encouragement  accountability to newbies and each other)


Let's have hearts of fertile soil and get our quit on together today

Nice! I'd just like to echo srans and LHG - quite impressed with your grasp of the situation here. And I'm not a Bible-guy, but I can appreciate the good-vs-evil motif. The way I think of it is like a hostage situation. Nicotine has your health and well being held hostage and is starting to make unreasonable demands.

Time for that shit to END. Quit with you today (todizzle?).

[JRizzle]

Jrizzle, I want you to know that I am impressed with you. You seem to really get it. I've only been here three weeks but already I've seen people come and go. But then a guy like you steps on the scene and it's exciting! Neither one of us can get ahead of ourselves here but I look forward to reading what you have to say, seeing you offer support and strengthen other people's quit. Many of us wish we had your wisdom at that age. There are some young guys in your group that I've seen in chat. Kaw is brand new.... He's a young guy. Sack is coming back (hopefully with a very humble apology and changed ways) and he's a young guy. I know there are others. I can see you leading that group. I just want to let you know I'm paying attention as I'm sure many with far more days than me.

Also... Join us in chat sometime. :)

I'm also very impressed with your quit brother. It sound like lhg knows what to look for when she's looking for a quitter that means business. You are taking all the necessary steps to make this quit the most important thing in your life. Evil won made a good post on your thread a day or two ago. Read it again,, it takes a while for things like that to sink in.

Keep up the quit and getting involved with other quits. Before you know it the days will add and lies will be revealed. I quit with you today and any day that ends with a y.

Thanks guys. You'll find out that I tend to be a philosophizer sometimes (Dodgeball reference), but this site really resonates because of all the parallels I see between this site and salvation:

- This site offers incredible grace (we don't judge you for your past, you don't need to be ashamed of your addiction here)

- This site offers incredible truth (just as God absolutely cannot tolerate sin, we absolutely do not tolerate nicotine use)

- The offer to joy is constantly extended to us (in this case joy is the cessation of tobacco) but it's up to us to participate and if anyone is lukewarm they get spit out (no pun intended)

- The devil (nicotine) tries to isolate us and separate us from the group just like a wolf would isolate a lamb from the flock, so fellowship is absolutely essential


So this site has allowed me to unload a lot of the shame and fear that I've felt for years while simultaneously giving me a kick in the butt and providing fellowship.


LHG, I agree too that it's important not to get the cart in front of the horse. Take it a day at a time. It reminds me of the parable of the spilled seed:


A man spilled seed as he was carrying a bag.

- Some of it was eaten by the birds (people that never find this, or any, encouragement to quit)

- Some of it fell on shallow soil so that it sprung up quickly but quickly withered away (newbies with a lot of excitement that cave because they can't sustain the energy)

- Some of it grew but was choked out by weeds (people who quit but eventually let a tough crave or stress get the best of them)

- Some of it fell on fertile soil and yielded a tremendous harvest (HOFers and vets that continue quit daily and provide encouragement  accountability to newbies and each other)


Let's have hearts of fertile soil and get our quit on together today

[srans]

Jrizzle, I want you to know that I am impressed with you. You seem to really get it. I've only been here three weeks but already I've seen people come and go. But then a guy like you steps on the scene and it's exciting! Neither one of us can get ahead of ourselves here but I look forward to reading what you have to say, seeing you offer support and strengthen other people's quit. Many of us wish we had your wisdom at that age. There are some young guys in your group that I've seen in chat. Kaw is brand new.... He's a young guy. Sack is coming back (hopefully with a very humble apology and changed ways) and he's a young guy. I know there are others. I can see you leading that group. I just want to let you know I'm paying attention as I'm sure many with far more days than me.

Also... Join us in chat sometime. :)

I'm also very impressed with your quit brother. It sound like lhg knows what to look for when she's looking for a quitter that means business. You are taking all the necessary steps to make this quit the most important thing in your life. Evil won made a good post on your thread a day or two ago. Read it again,, it takes a while for things like that to sink in.

Keep up the quit and getting involved with other quits. Before you know it the days will add and lies will be revealed. I quit with you today and any day that ends with a y.

[LionHeartedGirl]

Jrizzle, I want you to know that I am impressed with you. You seem to really get it. I've only been here three weeks but already I've seen people come and go. But then a guy like you steps on the scene and it's exciting! Neither one of us can get ahead of ourselves here but I look forward to reading what you have to say, seeing you offer support and strengthen other people's quit. Many of us wish we had your wisdom at that age. There are some young guys in your group that I've seen in chat. Kaw is brand new.... He's a young guy. Sack is coming back (hopefully with a very humble apology and changed ways) and he's a young guy. I know there are others. I can see you leading that group. I just want to let you know I'm paying attention as I'm sure many with far more days than me.

Also... Join us in chat sometime. :)

[JRizzle]

Good to have you join up! Congrats on the 1st 24 hour period; the key is breaking the initial inertia to quitting. Come join roll call in the Sep group tomorrow and open up a thread giving us your introduction so we can provide support, encouragement, accountability, etc. The more involved you get in your 1st couple weeks on this site the more likely you are to have success in your quit. So come join us so we can quit a day at a time together.

[aromatea17]

So proud of you! I'm trying to quit smoking myself. I just broke my first 24 hour period! I'm happy, but it's hard considering my work has a lot of smokers. :) I'm sure we're stronger, so we'll get through this JR!

[Evil_Won]

1) People struggle and even cave with this even YEARS after they originally quit
2) I'm missing out on all the things that I enjoy, or better put I'm not enjoying them as much as I would if I had access to tobacco

I'm familiar with these 2 lies. They've come and gone more times than I can count during my quit. My grandfather was 89 when he passed, and he dipped and smoked. During bad craves, I would actually fantasize about making it to my 80's just so I could cave and not care at all. Like having a final victory cigar (no nic pun intended) while riding off into the sunset. That's fucking morbid and wierd.

The second lie, about things being less enjoyable without dip, plagues everyone early in their quit. I dipped for about the same amount of time as you, 11 years, from 14 to 25. It's pretty damn hard to remember how things were when you were a young teen, so essentially all you know is life with dip. What you'll realize is, dip doesn't make anything better. Actually, not only have the things I did with dip been better, I now do more things because I don't dip.

It's crazy how many more things I can do now that my blood pressure isn't always high, I'm not always anxious, and I'm not hiding alone somewhere because I'm embarrassed about having shit in my mouth. It's a beautiful moment in your quit when you realize that the world is a gigantic place with so many opportunities you've been missing out on because of this addiction. That's when the phrase "the world is your oyster" starts to not seem so cheesy. Go out and live life to the fullest man! Leave the poison behind.

He is right. The bitch is whispering in your ear. DON'T Listen!!!

I had these come to mind when I first started my quit dont listen.... you can do this just one day at a time keep on quiting.
dkite

Sin = Bad
Prayers = Good
Nicotine = Bad
Post roll early in your a.m. = Good
Keep your word all day = Good
Wake and Repeat = Good
ODAAT = One day at a time
NAFAR = Never again for any reason
This is hard work and well worth it, if you value your tongue and jaw.
ODAAT and NAFAR
Welcome addict, to taking your life back.

Regarding the lie, looking back, I don’t think I “enjoyed” the hours of dipping as much as I thought early on in my quit. I think everything I did while dipping just became normal, a habit, that I imagined was enjoyable. It’s sort of like wiping your ass. You do it front to back. Why? First, so you don’t shitty-up your balls. Second, because that’s how you were taught and it has become the normal thing to do after years and years of daily implementation. We dipped (or other Nic delivery vehicle) for so long while doing certain things that were enjoyable that our brains now mistakenly think that dip was a key part of that enjoyment. It’s jJust another lie. Keep quitting one day at a time and your brain will slowly rewire itself back to how it was before you had that first taste. In the meantime, enjoy the suck.

[B-loMatt]

Awesome! You are doing this! Almost through week 1 stay strong.

[JRizzle]

Day 6 = a little better. Still foggy. But better.

Probably the biggest thing I fight is fatigue. And per the suggestions of vets, I'm going to go into a bit of detail here so I remember what the quit begins like :


Days -4,380 - 0 Dip dip dip, addiction, slavery, dip dip dip, cancer scare, gum disease, yuck yuck yuck, lost lots of $$$

Day 1 Really not too bad, amazed I was able to just kind of quit

Day 2 Maybe a bit of a crave, but still going strong

Day 3 Started to get a little foggy; that night I had my 1st dip dream

Day 4 Terrible day. I honestly have a hard time remembering it now. Head in the clouds, throat got sore, almost caved for the 1st time, brutal

Day 5 Still very foggy, very hazy. My mouth started going numb. Dip dream #2, insomnia, just really feel like you're almost not living your own life; however, I did have a brief reprieve which provided some hope!

Day 6 Foggy, but a little less intense. But my gum which had literally worn away to expose the root of one of my teeth is beginning to heal!! Not sure if it will completely heal on its own or not but it's certainly headed in the right direction


And I'm still quit. Honestly, when you look at how much abuse I put my body through it's amazing that I can heal at all. I was absolutely destroying my body with the crap. The fog sucks. I'm tired of it. But having my body heal is worth it. Not being a slave today to nicotine is worth it. Having the opportunity to challenge other men and women while they challenge me just as iron sharpens iron is worth it.

[srans]

Day 4 was tough and day 5 has been tougher

But all of a sudden, out of nowhere, the fog lifts!!

It's no longer "put your head down, fight through the pain"; it feels natural, good, preferable

Who knows how long it lasts? Maybe only 10 minutes. But it gives hope; and I have to be honest, I really feel that emotions are exaggerated without a nicotine buffer. When I get excited now I really FEEL it!

If there's anyone reading this who's either going through a fog, fight through it, even embrace it. It lifts. And when it does the sun is bright and shiny and warm, almost like a beautiful June day that you're about to go out and enjoy, discover, soak in.

I'm glad to see you keep on keepin on. Brother, I looked down through your thread getting caught up. Make this quit about you brother. Stink on the people that go back to this addiction after years,, IDIOTS!! You don't need their approval to quit. Life is so much better without this poison.

5 days feels good, you know why!! For 5 days you have been taking your life back. For 5 days you haven't spent your hard earned money on something that's taking your freedom, money, integrity and slowly killing you.

You are now nicotine free bother, 5 days it's gone. Go outside, take a look around, your a free man. See the world the way it was intended. Don't let this crap lie to you anymore. Why would you need it to enjoy life? LIFE WASN'T MEANT TO BE LEAD AROUND BY A CAN OF DIRT!! Go Enjoy yourself, screw the poison.

Your brain will believe what you tell it. Quitting comes from deep brother. Billions of people live and enjoy themselves without it everyday, why can't you. My worst day without the can is better than my best day with it and I quit with you today. Pm me if you need anything.

[30yraddict]

Day 4 was tough and day 5 has been tougher

But all of a sudden, out of nowhere, the fog lifts!!

It's no longer "put your head down, fight through the pain"; it feels natural, good, preferable

Who knows how long it lasts? Maybe only 10 minutes. But it gives hope; and I have to be honest, I really feel that emotions are exaggerated without a nicotine buffer. When I get excited now I really FEEL it!

If there's anyone reading this who's either going through a fog, fight through it, even embrace it. It lifts. And when it does the sun is bright and shiny and warm, almost like a beautiful June day that you're about to go out and enjoy, discover, soak in.

Fantastic Job JR! It is only going to get better, friend.

Holler if you need anything,

30

[JRizzle]

Day 4 was tough and day 5 has been tougher

But all of a sudden, out of nowhere, the fog lifts!!

It's no longer "put your head down, fight through the pain"; it feels natural, good, preferable

Who knows how long it lasts? Maybe only 10 minutes. But it gives hope; and I have to be honest, I really feel that emotions are exaggerated without a nicotine buffer. When I get excited now I really FEEL it!

If there's anyone reading this who's either going through a fog, fight through it, even embrace it. It lifts. And when it does the sun is bright and shiny and warm, almost like a beautiful June day that you're about to go out and enjoy, discover, soak in.

[Jason Raiford]

Welcome JR! I am glad you decided to save your life and quit that shit. I have been using for 34 years! Started in grade school. So I know what you are saying about the want a dip when doing certain things. I fight it each day....but the fight is a little easier. Think about it this way. It is morbid....but it worked for me.


You have a demon in your grasp and he is very very strong the first days. He will say he loves you. He will tell you have to have him. He will be in your dreams and make you doubt you decisions. He even will make you sick and hateful. His scream is the loudest the first days of your quit. So loud you cant think! As time passes he loses some of his strength. You are getting the upper hand now. He is still there and he still screams and gets in your face. You now have control and can deal with triggers.
Eventually as more time goes he is weaker, but still very alive. Now he has to save up his energy to scream at you! Now you can slap the shit out of him and take your life back.
The demon will live as long as your alive. He will never go away! When you have finally weakened him....never give him the power to scream like he did in the beginning...never!


Stay in control! post everyday! Reach out to others!