Anybody Dip/Chew?

[CT_Tree_Guy]

Hiya Duckbuster -

Good job on starting this thread, it might just help some people to escape the clutches of nicotine.

I don't think I'll do the Roll Call thing, but this thread can serve another very useful purpose. If I ever have another puff on a cigarette (or use tobacco in any other form), I will post here that "I haved caved in, and I am weak". There, how's that for incentive? (as if I needed more than I already have).

I know many, many people who have quit for life. It is do-able, and it is necessary. Almost anything is possible once you decide to do it, and this particular thing gets easier every day. Some things don't. And it's a lot like alcoholism; you can't "dabble". One leads to too many.

As I said in a previous post, I think it helps to concentrate on all that you're gaining, not on what you think you're losing. That's the monkey on your back talking. Nicotine is pleasurable because we're addicted to it. Break the addiction and you're no longer giving anything up, you're just gaining.

I always found it very depressing to be doing something that I knew was so harmful. I often referred to it as "living a nightmare". IF I hadn't bummed a cigarette from someone in 1994, thinking I'd just smoke "for a little while, just for fun", it would have been 20 years now since I smoked, instead of 20 days. That kind of thinking will make you crazy, but it's crazier to just keep going down the wrong path, when you know it doesn't lead to where you want to go.

But hey, 20 days is 20 days, and I do feel better already. And I know it can be done, by anyone, once you decide to.

I'd close by saying "good luck", but luck has just a small part in it. Instead, I'll just wish you all "good health".

John

 

[bmaxwell]

okay going on day five of my quit from Copenhagen, I picked up some Bacc Off yesterday to help me thru those tough times, because I really thought I would cave yesterday, next couple of weeks will be a real test, good luck to everyone else going thru this, non tobacco users e.g. my wife have no clue how difficult this really is to do, anyways, thanks again

 

[DuckBuster]

Hang in there bmax, you can do it. Also, try to pick up some Smokey Mountain Chew. I think they sell it at most Wal-Marts or you can get a few free samples online. I haven't tried the Bacc-off, but the SMC ain't bad.
After 5 days the nicotine is out of your system. It's all mental now. Just keep your eyes on the goal.
Also, whenever you start to think about getting a dip or how much you miss it, just turn the page in your mind. Think about something else. ANYTHING else. Sounds tricky but if you can learn to use it, you can get through anything.

 

[DuckBuster]

Hey John
Yeah, I don't think the rollcall deal will work out. But if you feel like you're going to cave, get on here and let us know before you do. Of course, I don't think that's going to happen. You are officially a non-smoker. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[Varmintmist]

First, the nicotine gum is still nicotine. Re: Rox (3 years with nicotine gum?? You didnt quit, you just changed monkeys) Get rid of all of it NOW. The blister pack gum like Eclipse that is pretty harsh and holds its flavor works.

Second, If you look at your finger and thumb, they are still brown from nicotine. If it isnt out of your fingers in 2 weeks, it is still in your system.

Third, I didnt tell anyone. They have no need to know. That way the only person I could let down was me. Made it harder that way.

You are dead on right about associated things, the only problem is I associated everything except eating and woopie with a dip. I was a equipment operator so if I spent a bunch of time on the tractor, I could feel it. Hunting, cutting wood, reloading, just going into the woods, sitting down reading a book, whatever.

I have found single malt scotch though /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif I'm becoming fond of Laphroiag 1/4 cask. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Dip is mostly longer cut stuff in the round cans (Skoal, T wolf), chewing tobacco is long leaf (Redman, Mail Pouch), true snuff is real fine so that you can snuff it up your nose, most folks dip it (Copenhagen).

 

[DuckBuster]

Don't give anybody crap about their quit method. If you need the nicotine gum/patch/whatever then do what you know is best. But make a plan to give that up (taper off) too.

What happened to everybody else?

Everybody doing well?

 

[rox]

DuckBuster,
well you are right about individules using what they need to get over their addiction, and face it, that is what we all have, as varmit(and I can't remeber the rest of his name) said, we all have a monkey on our back. He is right, I do need to get off the gum. Now could he have said it in a nicer way, well sure. But did it bother me, no not really. Here on TBN I try not to take the **way** people say things too personally. Instead I look at what they are saying and the content, in other words I kind of ignore tone. There are all dfferent kinds of people, some loud and lively others low key and others quite formal. I do think you are right and also varmit.

I figure I spent over 35 years smoking, I spent 2 1/2 years on the 4mg gum, I am finally down to the 2mg gum, and for me this is what I need, for now.

I don't think I have seen the word "addict" mentioned but really what we are all trying to voercome is an addiction, an addiction to nicotine. Just as any junkie with a jones for his or her crack, we got it for nicotine. I am not over it, I have merely changed my delivery method, but I am way way way way much less dependent than when I was smoking almost 2 packs a day. I actually don't think it is going to be that bad to quit the gum either. I think I'll ahve a rough couple of days, the time it takes for the nicotine to be eliminated and then that will be it. For me I have gotten over the hand to mouth cigarrette in hand motion, I really am over that. And to be honest the 2mg gum isn't giving me all that much nicotine, I don't get near the buzz off of it as the 4mg gum or the cigs. So for me this is progress. It has taken me longer than probably everybody else, but I am still making progress. I heard that Rationalization is one the greatest human needs and in this case I am guilty in the first degree /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[3RRL]

Talk about an addiction...
In my younger days I used to drink and smoke heavy. Addicted bad. I also had an addiction for golf and still can't break that habit.

Her's an old joke about addiction.
One day my wife was expecting me home for dinner but I got tied up with this other woman and came home pretty late. Well I knew she was going to catch me for sure. So before I got home I put some grass clippings in my shoes. When she asked me where the heck I'd been all this time I told her I was with another woman and that's the truth. She took one look at my shoes and said "You liar! You've been out on the golf course again!" ha ha. So I don't do THAT anymore.

The moral of the story is to quit all your bad habits before they hurt you or anyone else. Just because you THINK what you're doing doesn't affect anyone else doesn't mean it's not.

 

[gsganzer]

How's everyone doing on kicking the tobacco habit?? Need any words of encouragement?? I haven't seen anyone post in a few days, I hope that's because they're busy doing other things with their improved health and savings.

 

[CT_Tree_Guy]

gsganzer -

Thanks for asking. I haven't had a puff since 1/31, and it's been surprisingly easy. No nicotine patch or gum for about 2 weeks now, so my brain is slowly rewiring itself so it will function without nicotine. I feel much better already, am enjoying food a lot more, and don't smell like an ashtray. And my friends, dentist and cardiologist are very happy to hear I've quit.

Looks like I quit just in time, too. After 2 weeks I was still feeling a lot shorter of breath than I expected. I went to see my GP, then my cardiologist, who told me that my congenitally bicuspid (2 flaps instead of three) aortic valve is finally shot, and will be replaced with a mechanical valve on 3/31/06, along with the ascending part of my aorta. My coronary arteries are clear as a bell so I won't need a bypass procedure, and the prognosis is excellent. By around June 1 I should be feeling better than ever before, and will have been off cigarettes for 4 months. A little regular cardio exercise and I'll be right back in the game.

Good luck to all on getting off nicotine. I almost caved a couple of weeks ago, but the thought of having to post here that "I am weak and have caved in" got me through it. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Again, when quitting or contemplating quitting, just think of all you're gaining, not what you think you're giving up. Once you break the addiction, you're not giving up much of anything - just one bad, nasty and deadly habit.

To life, John