My Addiction – Break Free From the Chains!

Being outdoors is something that has always been in my blood. Up until earlier this year, nicotine ran through my blood as well. See, I was an addict, still am an addict, but a recovering addict none the less. If you found me, most likely I was outside and wherever I was, Nic, my best friend was with me too. See, Nic never said much, matter of fact I don’t ever recall Nic ever saying anything. However, Nic had this calming effect on me, as long as I had Nic, things would be alright. So for 25+ years, me and ol’ Nic developed quite a relationship. We did everything together, you name it, we were together. We were inseparable; the two of us, people knew that wherever I was, Nic would be with me. That friendship ended on March 9th of this year.

I’d tried quitting before, usually a half hearted effort that would last a few days and I’d be back dipping again. I quit for 10 days last year, not because I wanted to, because I pretty much had to. My appendix ruptured last July and life was put on stand still for those 10 days. I had tubes up my nose and into my stomach, another tube going into the side of my stomach to drain the infection that had accumulated in my abdomen. Longest 10 days of my life. All I could eat were ice chips and I was going nuts from not being able to dip. First thing I did when I got out of the hospital was head to convenience store and put in a huge fatty. I remember the feeling of relief when I put that dip in, oh how I’ve missed it, at least that’s what I thought. My friend Nic was there, waiting for me and I welcomed her with open arms. Now that is a serious addiction, and I didn’t even know it. Sound familiar?

Sometimes there comes a time in your life when you’re just fed up, tired of looking like a goon with a lip full of shit, breath that smells like the back end of a garbage truck, and teeth that you’re embarrassed to show when you smile because they’re so yellow. I had reached that moment in my life but really wasn’t sure where to turn or how to go about it. Every can I bought, I’d tell myself: “This is my last can, then I’ll quit.” Hence the Last Can Syndrome was born. I must’ve had 2 or 3 years worth of “Last Cans”, until finally I got serious.

Surfing around the web I typed in “Quit chewing tobacco” in the search bar of Google, and up popped a link for KTC. I clicked on it and have been here ever since. The site has been the sole reason I’ve stayed quit for this amount of time, and for each and every quit day forward, KTC will owed another day of gratitude for helping me in my quit. The community atmosphere here has helped me tremendously in attaining a quit that has lasted this long. Today I’m Quit and will stay that way for the entire day because I’ve posted roll already. I’m not going to let myself or my fellow quitters down because I’ve already given my word today. I’ll deal with tomorrow when tomorrow comes, but for today, I’m Quit!

It wouldn’t be right if I didn’t acknowledge some folks that were instrumental in my quit:

My June 09’ BMF-NGASMF Group: We are quiet but together we’re a strong group of quitters that I’m proud to be associated with – it was an honor Quitting with all of you.

Slug: First one that chewed my ass when I went into chat, I had a fatty in and he reamed me up on side and down the other. Thank you for that, I needed it.

Kid: Offered encouragement after my initial shock from Slug wore off. Was instrumental in my quit. Has been there for me every step of the way. Thank you for everything!

Bhfive: My quit brother and had my back on more that 1 occasion. Developed a great relationship with him. I owe a great deal of my quit to you, thanks bro!

DanTheMan: Another of my quit brothers from my June group. Offered tons of support no matter the situation. Always an encouraging word when I needed one. Thank you!

Chewless Jim: Was the first one to text me, at first it kinda freaked me out but he still texts me to this day. Thanks CJ, you have helped more than you know by just being there.

bubblehed668: I appreciate all the work you put into the site with you and the train. I’ve looked forward to boarding it since day 1. Thank you for helping me strive for riding that train.

ScooterScum: You’ve supported us all along and I got a little agitated with you a couple times, but you’ve helped me become a stronger quitter than I thought I could be, thank you.

iuchewie: Thank you for this site, the forum, the chat, the blog, all of it. Giving us these countless tools to use has been instrumental in my quit and I will continue to use them throughout my quit. You are a rock solid quitter and perhaps we’ll cross paths one day and I’ll get to shake your hand. Thank you my friend, you’ve helped save me from this ugly addiction.

There are plenty of others that deserve to be on here because each of you have helped me stay strong with my quit: Jpine, Jrod, justquit, Cubs, Glenn, Dean, Livin’, and countless others. I thank all of you for your support and your guidance, without all of you, staying quit would be like all my past attempts and that just isn’t acceptable any longer.

Quitting an addiction as powerful as this is tough, it really is. Putting yourself at risk for all sorts of cancer and other ailments seems like a no brainer. Take stock in yourself, become a quitter and see what this side of the fence is all about. Being and staying quit isn’t a cake walk, but it is very satisfying and rewarding. When you start adding one day at a time to your quit, you’ll be amazed how quickly those days add up. 100 days is only a beginning. It’s a starting point to the rest of a dip free lifestyle and I would like some company.

If you’re seeking guidance, need a helping hand or an encouraging word, send me a PM and I’ll do my best to help. That’s called “Paying it Forward”, I believe in that and will do my best to pass the torch on to new quitters that seek help. Even if you only help one person quit, you’ve been a success! As you can see, a lot of people spent their time helping me with my quit and I respect them for that. That’s what the site is all about, helping people in need kicking this ugly addiction to the curb and staying quit. You can do this!

Fighting an addiction by yourself is hard enough, but fighting it with others who know what you’re going through and will fight side by side with you makes that battle a hell of a lot easier.

I’m quit today and I’m Moving Forward….please join me!

Move Forward

NOTE: This piece written by KillTheCan.org forum member Move Forward