100 Days… WOW! – WildWildBil Hits the Hall of Fame

25 summers ago, an 11 year old kid took a pinch of Hawken from an older friend. This was the start of an addiction. Through the years I lied, cheated and stole to feed the demon living within me.

The beginning of the end came when my wife kicked me out of the house in May. While it was not said, I believe that a large part of our issues were caused by my addiction. Nicotine caused me to spend money I did not have on a product that would kill me and to lie about it. I would then blame my wife for the money problems, causing her much consternation she didn’t deserve because I was in denial. I also made her listen to my health concerns, never truly blaming it on the dip. While there were other issues in our marriage, on both sides, I truly believe that I would have been a much more open and caring husband and father if it were not for the tobacco.

Now, I didn’t come to that conclusion right away, mind you. This was a time to celebrate dipping. I could now dip more openly. The wife and kids weren’t there to see it. Good stuff, eh? The Copenhagen was flowin’ like water. I increased my usage by 50% between May and September. My lip was rawer than ever. My gums were hurting all the time. I started to think about what I was doing. I thought about the money I was spending, especially since there was less money to spend, and I started putting two and two together. This habit had a huge hand in ruining my life.

On September 26, 2007, I searched the web for quit dip and found this bunch of loser… er I mean quitters, and I posted day 1. I haven’t looked back yet. Joining in the fun here was the best decision I have ever made. While I have met only one of you, I feel like I am closer to you guys than almost anyone else. We have walked through Hell together and survived. We are stronger people, not just physically, but mentally and spiritually also.

These 100 days were the hardest of my life. Never have I faced a challenge of this magnitude and stuck to it. But here I am. I am a better person today because of this. After several months of hiding in my apartment, I have started living life again. Living it in a way I haven’t lived it in years, and in many ways I am enjoying it more. But this one thing I know, without this bunch of quitters I would have had a 3 day quit and dove right back into the can.

I am grateful for each and every one of you. I am going to single out a few people here, but please don’t feel slighted if you are not on this list. It does not mean you are not important, it just means I don’t have infinite time and to thank everyone individually.

Penguin – Dinner that night meant more to me than you could ever know. You the feathered, but flightless vet taking an evening out of your busy schedule to have dinner with this noob quitter. You solidified my quit that night and for that I will always be grateful.

Lawen4cer/Larry/Kid – All one person, very instrumental to my quit. Thank you for all those hours spent in chat, talking, bitching, laughing, and leading new quitters to the light. You got me through some of the worst nights of my quit. When I had no one else to turn to, you were there. I will never forget that. One of these days I’m going to find you and give you the hug you deserve.

Loot – For setting a young quitter straight on more than one occasion, for embedding that positive, can do attitude in me, and for making me realize that my word means more to me than anything else in this world. Thank you. You are truly a friend.

Chewie – You have given me my plan. Every week, you post that plan and it sunk in. Caving would be too much work. Too many people to call. Thank you.

Finally WhoDey. Thanks for the outlet brother. Every once in a while I go back to one of our “battles” and get a great laugh out of it. It was good to know I could send out an FU40 when the rage was goin, and you’d be there. While your choice in football teams sucks, you are truly a great guy. So thanks and FU40.

There are so many others who have done so much for me. I can’t name you all, but this still applies to yinz. 

To anyone who is considering quitting, my advice to you is to do it today. And when you make that decision, do more than just toss the tin. Here is Bill’s Guide to a successful quit:

• Register and join the current quit group
• Post roll EVERY day. This is your promise to not use today.
• Be a man and keep your promise! (My apologies to the ladies out there)
• Get involved. It is harder to cave if you are invested in the quits of others.
• Have a plan! Things are going to get rough at times. Having a plan in advance will help keep things on track.

So there you go. 100 days! I never thought I would make it, and I wouldn’t have if it wasn’t for each one of the quitters on this site. Thanks again to everyone.

Bill

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