Quitting Tobacco

[Tim_T]

Glad you started this thread. have been chewing two packs of Red Man a day for over 20 years and am going to try and quit.

[MLTSPCS]

Thanks for the thread. I have been dipping for over 20 years now and have 'quit' countless times. Went about 6 months the first time and did the same 'I can just have one while I fish' that turned into the normal 2 can a week habit. On another attempt it was a little over a year when I made the mistake of bumming one from a friend at work. Once again right back to doing it regularly. Several failed attempts later and I have slowed down to about a can a week, but I have to QUIT for real this time. Had my first child back in April and work went tobacco free recently. Starting next year they are going to test for nicotine as well. Anyone with it in their system automatically pays $40 more a month for insurance. These reasons plus the fact that I know I really need to quit will hopefully make this the time I do it for real. Hopefully years from now I will be able to respond to a similar post with what has worked for me. Thanks to everyone for their inputs and suggestions.
Btw, 40x12=480 and 3x52=156. $636/yr is another good benefit of quitting now.

[HydraBlade]

What worked for me when I quit was to set a goal to not take a chew for the next 15 minutes. When that 15 minutes was up, another goal for the next 15 minutes. After 2 weeks, the goal was to get through the day. I have been quit for 5+ years now, it is the best thing you can do for yourself.

Consider yourself a recovering addict. And if you relent just one time by thinking you can have just one chew, then more than likely you will be back chewing full time. And after a few months, you will be able to go fishing and not even think about chewing!

You can do it!

[00SKEETER]

Not sure. I think it's all in your head. I have been a "casual" smoker and enjoy a chew ever now and then but have never been addicted to it. I will go out to the lake or whatever and have a pack of cigs over the weekend and probably not pick them back up again for a month or two. never had the urge to be addicted to them plus I would be too cheap to buy them all the time. That would be my #1 aid in quitting (money). You can buy a lot of boat gas with that money.

[Fishin is life]

Thanks guys....I was just wondering for you guys who used to Chantix to quit, were any of you dippers or chewers....I know it's designed to help you quit smoking and was wondering if it would work with dip

[Big Gills]

Its good to have threads like this dealing with a very tough addiction to beat. I smoked also for 14 years before I quit cold turkey. That was a very tough way to go and my temper was bad and I gained 30lbs cuz food tasted so much better. I also had several attempts at quiting. Its true you really have to want to quit smoking or chewing tobacco for it to work but it also helps to know that by just taking one cigerette or one mouthful of tobacco that it puts you right back where you started. I just kept saying its like an alcoholic with one drink. Dont take it and it worked for me. Good to all trying to quit!

[Tim_T]

Good points brought up about the addiction aspect, it is similar. I am going to use a lot of what I learned through AA to quit chewing, but I am waiting until after January 27th. That will be my one year sober date and by then I am hoping my nervous system has recovered enough to make quitting the chew a little easier.

[Fishin is life]

Congrats on the sobriety Tim....now if we can just kick the nicotine

[Big Gills]

Congradulations Tim on quitting drinking and for your one year of soberity coming up in the new year. You are a strong fellow and I know how hard it is cuz my father and ex were alcoholics but never were able to quit or should I say never wanted to quit. Pat on the back to you for your strength and dedication to yourself your health and your family in achieving this. Good for you!

[kyfanatic]

Good points brought up about the addiction aspect, it is similar. I am going to use a lot of what I learned through AA to quit chewing, but I am waiting until after January 27th. That will be my one year sober date and by then I am hoping my nervous system has recovered enough to make quitting the chew a little easier.

Tim, I usually don't break my anonymity,but I had 16 years of sobriety on May 31st this year.I wouldn't rush the tobacco thing too soon,It it is better to take care of one thing at a time. It took me several years before I felt like I had recovered from the damage I had done to my mind and body.
The same steps and principles work well for any addiction when you are ready.