I Need To Stop Chewing (Tobacco)!
Help me out guys. I have been chewing tobacco for nearly 20 years. I have quit a time or two and have started up again after some SHTF incident. I chew Copenhagen Pouches when ever I am not sleeping or eating. It is disgusting, unhealthy and expensive. Nicotine is a nasty drug. At times I feel as though it is the only thing that keeps me from choking the life out of stupid people.
I don't exactly have a stress free job or life. My life is ran by this stupid ****ing nicotine crutch. I am curious if any of you have quit and if you have any tips, tricks or advice? My wife is too damned pretty to kiss with a nasty chew mouth. My Son aspires to fly F-22's and my Daughter a Doctor. I would like to be around to see this.
Also, is there anyone here who wants to take the dive with me? Those who chew or have chewed will know that this his huge and it is hell to quit.
I have been looking at the following websites:
KillTheCan.org and MyLastDip.com
Thanks for any support or advice,
O319.
What to expect for the first 100 days
From www.killthecan.org
I registered there; User name 10ninety6.
What To Expect When You Quit Dipping
So you want to quit. And you would like to know what it's like. We're not going to pull any punches around here, it's tough. That's why we're all here.
Days 1 through 3 - Pure hell. You will walk in the fog. Nothing will seem real. You're brain is wondering where the hell its fix is and it is going to punish you until you come up with it. 72 hours, that's all you need to get the nicotine out of your system. This is the only time you will go through physical withdrawal. Drink lots of water. Read, post, read and post. Don't take your anger out on your loved ones. We always tell everyone.........Make this quit about YOU. If you quit for your wife, girlfriend, boyfriend, kids, mommy or daddy, you will resent them during this period. Quit for yourself and come in here to rant. Yell at us. Bitch at us. We can take it. We've been there.
Days 4 through 20 - Here comes the mind games. The nicotine is out of your system now. You will still have some physical things to deal with.
Cravings
Irritability,
Insomnia
Fatigue
Inability to Concentrate
Headache
Sore throat
Constipation, gas, stomach pain
Dry mouth
Sore tongue and/or gums
Yep, you have this to look forward to. Your brain is rewiring itself. It isn't used to being in an oxygen rich environment. Your body is responding in kind. Everything is a mind game now. All the cravings you have are actually due to triggers. Triggers are events where you are in a situtation you would normally dip in. Mowing the grass, playing poker online, playing golf, working on the car.........you get the picture. Keep drinking water, use seeds, the fake stuff, whatever you need to keep the dip out of your mouth. Remember, oral fixation is part of our habit, something you will eventually need to break. For now though, use all the tools you have.
Days 20 - 50 - You're winning. Life isn't great, but you probably had a couple of nights where you actually got some sleep. You might notice you're going to bed earlier than you normally do. Not staying up to get in that last dip. You may notice some sores in your mouth. You're thinking, "great, I quit dipping and now I have cancer." You almost certainly don't. Your mouth is healing itself. Tiny ulcers you've had for a long time are healing. We recommend you visit your dentist around the 30 day mark. Don't be a pansy, just do it. He or she will be very supportive and they can explain the sores much better than we can. Don't let your guard down. Don't go out drinking with the fellas or the girls. We also recommend that you don't drink for at least the first 50 days. Drinking is a huge trigger event and it weakens your resolve.
Days 50 - 70 - Cruise control. Life is really good. You still think about it, but this is good stuff here. Some people may suffer anxiety attacks during or a little before this stage. Some doctors say we dipped to relieve anxiety anyway. Some people can push right through this, others need a little help. Talk to your doctor before you quit or immediately after you quit. They will know what to do. Some give Wellbutrin or Lexapro. Lots of people in the support community take or have taken these medicines and can help you with the affects. Don't wait till you get to this stage of the game to talk to a doctor. You'll cruise through this stage much easier if you know how to take care of the anxiety or at least know it's coming.
Days 70 - 90 - Late term craves, the doldrums, the blahs, the blues. Some people end up feeling like they are right back at day 1. The fog, the haze, the craves. It can be a tough time. You need to let people in your group know this is happening. Time to circle the wagons to get through it. It usually only lasts a few days. Fight through this and make sure your order your Commemorative HOF Knife or Coin.
Days 90 - HOF - Houston, resume the countdown. Enjoy the hell out of these last 10 days. You will be celebrating with your group as you all enter the HOF. It is a great feeling and an accomplishment you should not take lightly. Do something special for yourself and your family. They put up with your sorry ass for the last 90 days and they deserve something too.
100+ Days - Stay vigilant. Use the tools you have, to continue beating back any cravings or urges. You will still experience dip dreams and longings, but you are fully qualified to beat them down. Continue to post roll with your group. Get into the newer groups and help somebody out. Pass it along. Live the dream.