100 Days – Accountability Between Virtual Strangers

I’m sure that the story of my journey to 100 days quit has been told hundreds of times. Oddly enough, I made it through about 200 high school and American Legion baseball games, plus two years of college baseball dip free. Why start after all of that? I don’t know. Had I been smart enough to answer that question at the right time, I suppose I wouldn’t be here.

My previous attempts at quitting basically involved throwing a half a can out the truck window, only to stop at the store a half hour later to buy a new one. Eventually, I figured that I may never quit, that this was just the way it was going to be. Then one day in February, not really intending to quit, I searched “quit dip”, and found this website.

I spent the first day reading everything I could get my hands on. As I read, I couldn’t help but notice so many situations similar to my own. Thirty something’s looking for a new lease on life, people beginning to realize they needed a change. I knew I needed a change and the more I read the more I realized the shell of invincibility that I wrapped myself in for so many years would eventually crack. I finally started to realize that time was approaching sooner rather than later. With that, I made my decision to sign up.

That first night I spent in chat getting knocked around by a couple of guys that eventually helped me post my first roll call. At that moment I had just given my word to a bunch of complete strangers that I would no longer dip. Not fully understanding what I had just done, somewhat frightened as to what might lie ahead, I began to post roll everyday and plowed through some difficult times.

As the fog lifted and the days passed, I began to see success in the small steps I was taking. Simple things like eating breakfast in the morning and going to bed early at night became realities that I had not known in many years. Not having to worry about “ninja spitting” while playing with my kids was as freeing of an experience as I have ever felt. As the days turned to weeks, I could slowly but surely feel the cycle of addiction finally breaking.

Sitting here at 100 days, my life routine is returning to normal, or at least what seems to be normal. The training process still continues but things that were difficult for me 90 days ago, I can now do much easier. Daily stresses that used to make me reach for the can, now pass without much thought or effort. With that being said, even I am smart enough to know that this is not the end of the road, but only the beginning. Knowing my personality as I do, I don’t think I will ever be able to quit quitting. However, I can say with all confidence that this is my one and only quit.

First, I would like to thank Ready and wyo4life, they were the first to reach out to a new quitter with a helping hand. Mahum, thank you for making that reassuring phone call and letting me know I was doing the right thing. Thank you to the May 08 quit group. I take great pride in posting everyday with such a strong group of quitters. Loot, thank you for challenging me to post in Sept. ’05 quit group. Whether you know it or not, that challenge has been the single biggest influence in my quit and, without a doubt, has saved my life.

Finally, I would like to thank each and every member of this community. It amazes me what the accountability between virtual strangers, bonded by a common issue, can accomplish. Whether you know it or not, whether we have had contact or not, your presence here has kept me dip free, and for that, I am truly grateful.

NOTE: This piece written by KillTheCan.org forum member redtrain14