Today is day 4 of my quit. It's like a rebirth. Day 4 of the rest of my life.
In the last 2 days, I've had such a difficult time with physical Mental and emotional withdrawal that I've spent more time at KTC and in the fog than I have doing pretty much anything else. Others' stories inspire me. my wife has been very supportive so I'm very thankful for that.
One thing I've noticed that helps is telling people, even people who have known me for some time and have no clue. I think it is helpful because it makes me accountable to myself and it pulls the cat right out of the bag. I work in corporate America so for years I've had to hide the habit and chew in my upper lip at work. No more hiding. Time to face the fact that I'm an addict and whether I'm ashamed or not really doesn't matter.
I can feel myself having to relearn how to deal with situations. For example, I slept 4 hours last night. Normally to get me through a light sleeping day, I'd use dip thinking it would boost my energy. Not today. Not ever again. I posted roll this morning. Time to learn some other way. Not sure what that will be, exercise or what, but it'll be something.
If any of you have suggestions for how to handle the stress of a sleeplessness night and keep alert throughout the day- note that I do not drink coffee - I'm all ears. Thanks and make it a great November 3!
Lots of MN people here to help you out including myself. Couple of things:
1. You mentioned it below that you are an addict and that is step one. We all are...so train your mind that what you did was not a "habit" because habits are something we form over time and then they can go away. Addiction is always going to be there today, tomorrow, 100, 1,000, 10,000, etc. I'm telling you because I was told the same when I first quit that this isn't a habit but that I'm an addict and will never be cured.
2. To help you get through these first few days/weeks with all of the crap you are going through, drink lots of water...LOTS of water! Every time you think about getting a dip, get up and get some water. Have it be as if you are always constantly peeing all day...better than having that poison in you mouth, right? Your body is cleansing itself and also freaking out because it wants its fix. Come here, go for walks, get up and move around, the sleep thing will eventually come but you just need to get through this first part. The fog is the fog but believe me and the many others on here that it is absolutely the best thing in the world to be free from this poisonous drug and living life.
Just keep coming here each day as many times as you want to read up, chat, talk, etc. just to get through these weeks. Get to know your group and tell them what you are going through. All of you are likely experiencing the same things and it helps when you have the company of others to go through this and how they made the small wins each day/each hour/each walk into the gas station without buying a tin/etc.
Keep it up! You got this and many of us will help you along.
It's great to see you already re-learning life and reflecting here! keep it up! MN_Ben is in my Jan 14 quit group, and a great quitter to link up with. I think he's in chat a lot.
My recommendations:
1. learn all you can about the battle you are in- knowledge center here, and read other quitters' intros. This addiction has lots of nasty tricks but knowing what is going on helps you make it through the ones that come your way.
2. log your quit here- as a record for you later, and to let others know how you're doing and how to help, and as a resource/model for other future quitters when you do it right.
3. build a network for support and accountability, with other quitters here. This is a key piece.
Keep it rolling, loving how you're doing it. When it gets tough, get through minute by minute if needed. The bad stuff always fades. We're all proof of that here.
Emperor Palp and B-Lees, thanks for the advice fellas. It is greatly appreciated and will do my best to follow it.
For anyone out there reading this, about 5 days ago I saw this site and it helped inspire me to quit on my 36th birthday. My ego got in the way of me signing up until day 3 even though I was taking in all of the resources this site has to offer. I was especially inspired by the story of the Kerns, picturing my daughter saying to me, Please don't go daddy! I lost it. NOW it is time. If that's my daughter someday, it won't be because of Skoal.
Before Day 3, even though I was reading the site and taking in the site, I thought, oh, I'm a little pussy, bitch that needs group therapy instead of good ole macho will-power. Just 5 days ago I was a complete fucking idiot. The man puffing his chest out is the man that admits he needs the help and isn't ashamed to admit it. It's the man that truly wants this for his life. It is infinitely harder to kick the can without these brothers and sisters. Because this site is here and full of all of these amazing and supportive people, I don't even feel slightly tempted to buy chew, even though at times I feel like the anxiety is so bad I'm going to pull my hair out. Thank you KTC brothers and sisters. I believe you are saving my life.
I'm proud to admit I'm a part of this site and looking forward to being a part of this family when I can look back at many days of posting roll. I flat out need all of you fellas and ladies, along with my family, as support to help me through. For now, today is Day 4. Let's get through that and worry about Day 5 tomorrow.
I don't care if people think I'm weak. I am. So what. At least I won't die from chewing tobacco and I won't be a slave to the power of chew.
Thanks folks. You have all inspired me. Eyehatecope, Palpatine, JPET, Brettlees, Maverick, TLJent (is this your homework, Larry?), Bokie, PMILS, the Kerns, some guy from Minot named Todd, Pabs, Bert (the Dude Abides). Only been here 24 hours, haven't met any of you, and all of you have helped me get my shit together. Thanks, bros.
