NO NICOTINE (Cope)since 2/19/09

[foggy1111]

In an effort to quit smoking some 20 years ago....I began the chewing habit (Skoal Key and then Cope)....which is difficult to want to give up. But....it finally occurred to me.....if not now (I'm 62)....when? So....I quit chewing on 4/1/09....just a bit over 3 weeks ago. When the gov't raised the taxes again...and I was outtta chew. The first few days I was ready to bite my arm off....but it has subsided some since then....and I get a bit better each day.

One thing that has helped overcome the need to put something in my mouth.....is...that I put some coffee grounds and little mints in an old chew box to carry with me. The coffee grounds give me something to do when the urge hits...they aint real tastey...but it is something to chew on. I am chewing less coffee grounds ever day now.....and about to give them up too.....lol. It's funny how addicting that nicotine can be. ....but I am NOT going to start this habit again.....and that's final.

 

[CDsdad]

Now I feel guilty.

I just took my first dip since Easter about 30 minutes ago. I have also dipped for 25 years.

I did quit smoking in 2001 after about 8 years of that.

I won't be able to keep dipping though, I had to bum this one off a guy here on the rig. Quitting is easier when you're offshore and don't bring any out.

My main reason for quitting is my 4 year old. He spits every time I do, and I want to totally quit before he's big enough to start. My father chews 2 packs of Red Man a day, so I guess I got it honest. Hopefully this will wind it up for me.

I take the money I would've spent on snuff and put it in my sock drawer. It's starting to add up and that makes it easier when I'm home.

 

[foggy1111]

If you start again....Quit Again! Don't wait...it doesn't get easier. At some point quitting is final.

 

[JB4310]

Excellent stories about quitting addictions, that's what it is just like any street drug, probably worse.

JB.

 

[rox]

hunteridge- PROPS to YOU! You have come a long way, don't go back, just don't go back. What helped me when I was quitting smoking was excercize. When I was thinking about it wanting it, I wuld take a little run. In a previous time I quit it was winter in Wisconsin so I had one of those mini trampolines and would jsut jog on it till I was tired. The combination of the endorphins you get during excercize and the fact that whe you are done you are tired (well I was tired), jsut eliminated that immediate urge. Instead of running you could do jumping jacks or any other excercize that strikes your fancy. You just stop what you are doing and go do some excercize. Even at work a couple times I had to leave a meeting to go run behind a neighboring building to kind of "run out" the urge. Hang in their my friend we are all so proud of you. Don't give these nicotine free days back to your addiction.

I had gone thorugh a smoking cestation class also on one of my earlier attemps. One thing I learned form those classes is that the craving is really a longing to have your friend back. Smoking was my friend. I was happy so I would light up to celebrate, if sad I would light up to feel better. Whenever I needed some emotional support my friend smoking was there for me. While quitting I would say over and over, "Smoking you are not my friend" Sounds kind of kookie now as I write it but saying it outloud did help me to know it really isn't your friend at all, it's your enemy. You have my very very best support and encouragement.

 

[LBrown59]

I did quit smoking, but really haven't tried to quit dipping have.

How you holding up with the non smoking?
I Quit on 4/18/9.
Glad I don't have to face quitting any other tobaco habits.

 

[JohnDeere4300]

How you holding up with the non smoking?

I don't even think about it anymore.

And the way i quit was a promise to my 12 year old son....I told him that i promise that i will quit...and if i started back, i promise that i will give you $25 dollars for each cig. that i smoke.

I couldn't break a promise to him, and if i did i would be broke.

 

[RedMahindra]

Never took up none of those habits! Although I worked in a cigarette factory for 20 years.

 

[hunterridgefarm]

foggy,

Good luck I am still clean but the cravings are still there.

Rox,

Thanks for the words of encouragement. The exercise thing won't work for me. I have a fairly extensive exercise program now and have had for 29 years. I use to love taking a relaxing dip after a hard workout.

Maybe I need to use more olive oil!!!

 

[EddieWalker]

foggy,

Good luck I am still clean but the cravings are still there.

Congrats!!!!! The cravings will last for years. It did for me. Eventually, you'll just forget about them and the association that you have with chewing and what you would normally do with a dip in your mouth. It's a slow process, but well worth it.

Eddie