Hey folks,
First time poster and I've read some of the information on this website, but plan on to dig deeper to learn more. I thought I would go ahead and introduce myself since I will hopefully be here more often than not.
My story is one of starting with cigarettes and then replacing it with dip:
I'm now 27 years old and I started smoking cigarettes around the age of 19. I had a few cigarettes/cans of chew in my high school years, but didn't start smoking on a consistent basis until I got into college. The stimulating properties of nicoteine boosted my focus and allowed me to study longer and harder while in school. I aced alll of my classes and graduated at the top of business school. I justified my habit with the successes I had in my studies and advancements in my career.
After graduation, I began the workforce in a professional context, where smoking was frowned upon. All of the young professionals in my age range who worked at the same company did not smoke. Smoking was limited to the few old geezers who made regular trips outside and were seen as non-productive. To circumvent this I began to start dipping. I began taking "restroom breaks (i.e. #2)" frequently so I could throw in a chew. The schedule was basically to dip on the way to work, "rest-room break" between start and lunch, dip after lunch, "rest-room break" midway to end of day, and dip to my heart's content after work was over. I traveled often with my job, and all of my work was international. I would load up on cans of grizzly before a 2-3 week trip to Beijing, Tokyo, Sao Paulo, wherever because you sure as heck couldn't find that stuff down there! All of my travel was with a team of between 3-4 other people, and I didn't want them to catch onto my consistent "rest-room breaks" so I would take nicoteine gum with me to help me get through the day until I could get to the hotel room and dip freely.
I hide my habit from ALMOST everybody. I never wanted to disappoint my family as they brought me up to not start smoking (even though my dad does in hiding as well) so I hid it from them. At this point, I'm sure they have caught on, but don't say anything to me about it. I never told co-workers because to me I would come off as ignorant...but I think some of them caught on as well. My close friends and drinking buddies knew, but I didn't mind as my relationship with them was more to socialize and have fun. I'm a single guy and live on my own now, so there are no wife/kids to speak of.
I spent most of my life in Tennessee where I went to school and began my professional career. About 7 months ago, I moved to Miami for a new job - same position, same travel, new location, higher pay. Dip is a lot harder to find here and is a lot more expensive. I usually chew grizzly because I honestly prefer it to the more expensive stuff....and, well, it is cheaper. I often find myself having to resort to purchasing skoal here as the Miami market (mostly Hispanic) does not consume dip/chewing tobacco as much. At many gas stations, you are limited to a few cans of skoal which are valued around 7-8 bucks a can. I go through a can a day on average.
For the past few months I have been trying patches. I would have a dip in the morning, wear the patch until work was over, then dip as much as I want after work.
Yesterday, I had a dip in the morning. Wore a patch until the end of the workday. Changed the patch for a new one and wore it all throughout the night.
Today I have not dipped. I am planning to wear the patch, switch it out with a new one at the end of the workday, and then wear it throughout the night.
I don't think I am capable of quitting cold turkey. I have to deal with a lot of personalities and a lot of moods in other people at work and I don't think a cold turkey quit would work for me.
A couple of questions:
Has anyone had success with patches? Any advice? I have found that the effectiveness wears off throughout the day (sweat maybe?) and changing the patch is the only thing that works for me. I am using the highest level right now, but would ideally like to slowly drop down. One thing I noticed last night was the vivid dreams I had throughout the night. I also tossed and turned all night long and woke up in the night in a trance a few times....
Anyway, that's my story. Any advice or words of encouragement are appreciated. Sorry if I overdid the writing!
