KillTheCan.org – Quit Dipping Today!
Welcome to the first day of the rest of your life!!!
When you’ve made the decision to quit dipping you need support. You’ll get it right here at KillTheCan! This site is dedicated to helping people QUIT dip, smokeless & chewing tobacco! It will be a long & difficult road, but we are confident that you too can be successful and quit dip!
All articles on KillTheCan.org are written by members of our forums. These are people who understand what it means to quit. They write these articles from the perspective of a quitter. Don’t believe the “experts” that you find out there on the web – believe someone that has successfully QUIT DIP.
I mentioned earlier how rough of a start the day was for me, worst night of sleep I’ve had since I quit. Tired, irritable and weak. I found myself in a gas station with no control over myself I could hear myself asking for a can of grizzly wintergreen, I got out to the truck and had my thumb nail breaking the seal…at the last second I pulled myself together and gave myself a slap in the face and threw the can out. Waste of $3 but still tobacco free for 19 days. A good night’s sleep makes all the difference
31 days and I think I am hitting that fog everyone speaks of. I am bored out of my mind. Will stay tough, but damn it’s a hard day today
Cody, stay strong my friend. What I try and think of is…..Am I stronger than this little tin can that’s full of poison or is it stronger than I am. Only you can answer the question……
Day 19. Yesterday was my birthday and a pretty tough day with no dip. The urge to stop at a gas station and buy a can is lingering hard in my head right now. Just don’t wanna start all over again
Day 14, two whole weeks without my pet Grizzly. Not gonna lie, I miss the little guy but it’s getting easier. Best advice I’ve used so far is “one day at a time”. Good luck everyone!
Just balanced my checkbook real quick and noticed two things. 1) Other than getting some sunflower seeds, no stops at the gas station during the past 5 days. 2) There’s a little bit more money in my account than usual. Staying quit.
Maddog, You make a good point. Come to think of it….on an average day of dipping, the first couple dips were enjoyable. After that it was just habit. By the end of the day my mouth was soar, my jaw hurt but I would still stick that worm dirt into my mouth until it was time to go to bed. There was no enjoyment, just habit
same here
Hey I have quit chewing tobacco for past two months. hell still feeling the same. But we wont loose hope brother
Just received a text from a good buddy telling me he’s about to take his last dip! Trying to get him to enroll on here. I told him it’s a huge asset!
Congrats Steve on your decision! I was there a while ago…the fog will lift in a few weeks, but stay quit, post roll, and live on the damn chat room the first three weeks. It helps. We’re all here to help!
DUNDIPPIN,
I do remember the fog, it took me about 3weeks to break through. Hopefully this to shall pass soon. Thanks, it’s good to hear your advice, live well and stay quit my friend!!!
I just signed up and I quit dipping on 2.15.2016 and holy crap, this sucks. I’m dizzy almost numb all the time. I’m super irritable and I can’t stay asleep at night. I haven’t gotten squat for sleep since I quit. I quit cold turkey, other than the Smokey Mountain I’ve been using. I had chewed for 19 years and had wanted to quit for years. I literally woke up last Monday and said I’m done chewing tobacco!! I haven’t had a dip of tobacco since. When will this “fog” end as I feel like I’m losing my mind at times?
I don’t like to think of it as I’m never going to chew again. I just know I’m not going to chew today nor will I ever buy another can again. One day at a time. I’m sure I’ll bum a chew off a buddy again someday at a gold outing or poker game, but I’ll never be a daily dipper again
Chaseman, well said. For 35 years, I enjoyed dipping most of the time too. Actually I loved it, it was me. But you know what it wasn’t always great. I remember worrying every time I got a mouth sore or had a sore throat, was this finally cancer. Seeing articles about how bad it was for me lately and other signs told me it was time and I am done. The Nic Bitch needs to move on. I am no longer her slave. Day 14 and counting. Stay Quit my friends.
Day 7…..Well one week is almost down. Sleeping is a little better and the cravings are diminishing a little. Bad thing is I just miss my old friend, I was so addicted that I would have dipped the rest of my life if it was not bad for me. But I know it is extreamly bad for me and that is why I have quit. But I dooooo miss it. I guess my brain is just trying to re-wire itself and it is not liking the change either. Lord please help me to stay strong in this fight. Can’t wait for the day I can look back at this time of my life and say “Thank heavens I hung in there”
CBAS, short-term memory loss is not unusual. Your brain has been wired to think with tobacco and now you are getting clean. Your memory will come back. Remember the fog and how you got through that. You will get through the short-term memory loss as well. Stay quit my friend.
What’s up fellas, day 44 here and I’m wondering if it’s common to have a certain amount of memory loss while quitting nicotine? My memory seems to have went to shit and my eyes always feel tiered and burn. Does this make sense or is it time to visit a doctor? Stay quit my friends!!!!!!
MATTR,
I went through the same type of mental withdrawal as you did. In fact even now I hear those words even at day 80 something. You will never chew again! come on it cant be that bad if you just have one every now and then can it? What if you liked dipping? Why do you have to just quit and never ever try a can again? You have kicked the habit by now, so what is one can now?
There is good news MATTR. That voice is diminishing. the volume is going away each time I resist. It will with you do and you will be glad you resisted.
Sorry to hear that Mike. I remember years ago I quit for 3 weeks and my family went bowling. The bowling alley was so filled with smokers, by the time I got finished bowling, the second hand smoke got me hooked all over again. The second time I quit, I went on a cruise ship and forgot my dip. so I was forced to quit for an entire month. That was brutal and it killed the first week of the cruise. However the day I got off the boat, guess where I went? This is my third time. I am getting close to day 100. Hang in there buddy. I am rooting for you. You can do it.
I’ve been a tobacco user for over 15 years. Being in the military dipping and smoking was just always part of the job. In 2012 I finally managed to quit smoking but now I want to finally quit chewing. The only way I was able to kick smoking was with Chantex. Any and all tips are needed guys. I love chewing. I don’t see myself quitting cold turkey.
Day 27….I got more aches and pains then I have ever felt before. 42 year habit and feeling every bit of it today. Enough sniveling need to more on.
Starting day 16 here, 10 year can a day habit. The cravings have gotten a lot fewer and farther between. I do however still get a nice headache everyday around midday which I assume is from quitting, as for the anxiety you guys are talking about i was experiencing that, vigorous exercise seemed to help me out
Terry, have tried that before and failed miserably. Glad it works for you, interesting approach. I am on day 2, and it’s just as brutal as last time I quit–made it about 40 days last time then a pointless my girlfriend brought me right back to the can.
I dont know if this would be good for most trying to quit or not. However, I actually still have a full can I have saved that is now 86 days old. When I get the especially tough urges, I have even opened the can for a good smell of it. Believe it or not, that has actually helped me. Not sure if anyone else has done this, but keeping that full can available and even opening the can for a smell of my old habit from time to time has definitely helped me not give in.
Getting a puppy to help you through the tough times will probably be a good idea. When you get moody, and stressful, there is nothing like a good curious friend that bends his or her head at you wondering what is wrong.
I definitely agree! This website was a Godsend!
So, I am on day 80. I just played in my first out of town softball tournament of the season so I was around chewers all weekend and I was fine the entire weekend. For some reason today of all days I have been thinking about how I am never going to chew again and for some reason this is creating a lot of anxiety? Is that normal? I was actually in really good shape from about day 65-79 where I was thinking “I am going to never chew again and this is getting really easy.” What is going on?!!! Why am I suddenly scared and stressed out by the fact I am never going to chew again?
You’re smack dab in the middle of what we refer to as “The Funk”. Here’s a couple of links you may find helpful. Hang in there!!!
Explaining ‘The Funk’ Part 1
https://www.killthecan.org/facts-figures/explaining-the-funk-part-1/
Explaining ‘The Funk’ Part 2
https://www.killthecan.org/facts-figures/explaining-the-funk-part-2/
Dealing With Craves & The Concept Of Forever
https://www.killthecan.org/facts-figures/dealing-with-craves-the-concept-of-forever/
Wow! I was under the impression that I was the only one still having anxiety! I am on day 98. This is, by far, the hardest thing I have ever done; I have been chewing for 25 years. I hope this anxiety and mood swings end soon!
I guess everyones quit is different but i dont understand the fog following quitting? I didnt experience that. For me the fog was like the decades i was using, like an alcoholic getting sober for the first time i was almost instantly noticing i was thinking more clearly without nicotine?
Please no laughing: this is actually a serious question, and I really need feedback, please! I’m on day 22. Things have been getting better, but anxiety has been a big issue still. The question: my wife wants to get a puppy. I’ve only had one experience with owning a dog, and it was a disaster. So, although I think it’ll be a major stressor (house training and the like), my wife thinks it’ll help create new habits/focus. What does everyone think?
Hi Robert – never hesitate to ask. That’s why we’re here!
It’ll be stressful to be sure, but that added focus may very well help. I’m not sure I’d suggest getting a pup JUST as a way to help with your quit, but if it was something you were already considering I’d say go for it.
CRAIGSELK66, I am on day 192 and still have anxiety, depression, and the fog. I was going through a can a day and this amount of nicotine can really do a number on your central nervous system and completely rewire your brain into relying on an outside source for dopamine (reward system). I also have been having to find new ways to handle anxiety. I also even have trouble running due to running stimulating the flight or fight response in your brain. Not having the artificial domaine support from the nicotine really starts to make me panic when my heart rate goes up… etc. Hang in there.
CRAIGSELK66 you are still getting anxiety? Is it from not using or just every day life. Obviously the life stress isnt going to go away( i know im one to talk after the other week). The dizzyness not sure on either. I got dizzyness early on but it was more of a rush as the bloodflow increased so i almost miss it. Not to push you but how much of a lifestyle change have you made? I actually have lost alot of weight since quitting but thats part of why i quit, i am on a limited budget and have had to cut way back on food. Eat canned beans for bfast and 2 hotdogs for dinner. I also find i enjoy things now and want to get out and do things. When using i didnt have motivation to do anything but hang out and chew. Ive been awake for 4 hours and have already curled 11,000 pounds lifting weights. Last week i hiked up to my old camping spot. About 1 more month im hoping it will be warm enough i can go camping, i cant wait. If i was still chewing i doubt i would even want to go let alone have the energy to hike miles up hill carrying all my gear, food and water for me and my dog. Anyway kinda like you said, i check the site to check on you because we have the same quit date. What is Craig experiencing on his quit the same number of days as me? i think what if Craig cracks and screws up? Cant do that with more than 4 months. I havnt gone this long without nicotine since i started when i was 13 years old. The craziest thing is whenever i go by a store and theres crowds hanging out on the side of the building smoking. It reminds me of how glad i am i dont need nicotine anymore and it does not control my life. I feel pity Those poor suckers will probably never know how much better they would feel if they quit. My biggest regret now is i wish i had quit years or decades ago. Anyway Craig dont snap and give in. We are kinda in this together brother.
I am a new quitter too. I quit cold turkey back on the first week of December. The toughest was the three weeks for me. I researched how Nicotine and Dipping High Jacks your dopamine receptors in the brain which actually explains why Nicotine is so addictive. Reading the process of how Nicotine takes over when your brain emits dopamine really helped me understand what this drug was doing and why it had a huge hold on me for 30 years. Reading the effects of how Nicotine kept me hooked really helped me stay dedicated on my quit commitment. Hope this helps others.
Day 6… Feeling a little better but I am still having trouble sleeping. I am proud of myself for making it thru the weekend. I had a few week moments but I held the course. Dipping is still on my mind every waking moment though, I hope the craving ease up some soon. Hope everyone has a great Nic free day
Grats to everyone just starting and early in their quit. It gets easier just tough it out. Its crazy reading these posts remembering early in my quit how the days seemed to drag forever, now the days fly by. Seems like yesterday i had 120 days tomarrow will have 131. I hate to say it but i think my next step is to quit visiting this site Atleast for awhile. I wonder if i would even think about chew if i wasnt coming on this site every day to check my days and read new stories?
I went to the quit group but all of that cut and paste crud confused the crap out of me. I’m here to quit dipping tobacco and to kick my nicotine habit. The group seems to do a lot of great stuff, so I’ll just continue to lurk around and post in a couple of spots. One day I might figure out the whole cut and past mess, but I doubt it.
Go to forum.killthecan.org and select Quit Groups. Select the May 2016 group pre-HOF. I believe that is your group. Inside there you will see a list of things to help newcomers so click on No. 6 how to post roll for newbies. Hope I got that right. Remember I am a newbie too and say 12! lol. Hope that helps I was very confused too so don’t feel alone
Grizzly, you’re doing it right now buddy. Feel yourself getting tested to go back to the Nic, come here & vent. No hand holding but a bunch of good guys that will talk you off that ledge. I have not been roll call posting like I used to, life stuff going on. But without KTC, I would have never made it. 1 yr quit on Feb 27th. Not easy but man it feels good.
Thanks for the encouragement Maddog. I have some Smokey Mountain coming tomorrow, hard to find it around here, had to order online. I’ve messaged on roll call both days. Looking forward to day 3! 🙂
How do you do roll call and what exactly is it?
Mike, 11 days ago I was in your same place. I used Skoal for 35 years. I made my mind up that I was done. Sounds like you are there too. I found the cravings got worse a few days into it so I finally got some fake dip (Smokey Mountain) and that has helped a lot. The support on KTC is awesome. Try the live chat too if you need immediate help. Hey do the Roll too each morning.
This is day 4 clean for me. I did cold turkey Thursday morning. It was very tough for me yesterday, I think I chewed like 8 packs of gum. Today I haven’t had cravings or imagined dipping.. Woke up early this morning and haven’t needed to have any chewing gum or cough drops. I’m feeling stronger day by day. Good luck to anyone who is thinking about quitting like I was. Reading other peoples experiences has helped wrap my head around it. You can do it one day at a time.
Mike,
I have 14 years of Grizz. On day 10 now. Dude hang in there man.
I did also last summer 2015 also dipped forever
Been doing Smokey mountain to help but I’m done w dip yay u got this STR
Good luck man! I’m on day 10 myselfz still sucks at times but getting easier! Lean on this site as much as possible. Read all the stories. It helps when you read the success stories of others. Helps me anyway. God speed!
Good job Mike. I used Skoal Straight for 24 years and quit 12/02/2015. Coming up on 12 weeks now. Still having some tough days but it is worth it. Hang in there.
So today is Day 1 for me. I’ve been dipping Skoal for about 30 years or so. I know this is going to be very, very hard, but I’m so ready to kick this nasty habit. I’m tired of it controlling my life.
Congrads Nick,
I’m a few days behind you and still in the fog. Its good to here that better day could be just around the corner. Hang in there
I posted on here on monday stating i had just began my quit. I was a can and a half a day dipper. Grizzly. For 6 years. I have now gone 5 days with nothing. Just some gum and seeds. And tootsie rolls. And i now feel great. Not perfect but great. I am sleeping normal now. And headaches are gone. Cold turkey. IF I CAN DO IT YOU GUYS CAN TOO. im so proud of myself. I cant beleive ive done it. Never going back.