J-Heff HOF Statement – Thanks For Saving My Life!
I AM a nicotine addict, and always will be. I can’t do this on my own, I need support.
100 days quit, man I never thought I could do it but I have. Now that I’ve reached this milestone it doesn’t seem as important as it did before I got here. It’s not that I am not appreciative of how I got here or what it took; it’s just that perhaps I’m beginning to see a bigger picture. I’m still seeing that picture ODAAT, but I understand more about myself than I did on May 5th, 2016. I like what I see but still know there is a lot of work ahead as this fight will never be over for me.
I’m 56 years old and have chewed Copenhagen long cut since I was about 21 or 22 years old. Hell, I can’t even remember being quit since I started but am sure I had numerous short breaks from my addition. But that doesn’t surprise me, because back then I considered the effort “kicking a habit”. Wow, was that fucking wrong. After I became engaged in KTC the blazing Light of Realization went off when I realized that I was an addict in the true sense of the word.
Our job as HOF quitters is to give back while at the same time protecting and nurturing our own quit. Give back by supporting new quitters and guiding them to use the proven tools and program that has worked for us. I remember those who reached out to me on my first initial days on KTC. It was a little spooky for me to have a bunch of dudes wanting to share their phone numbers with me. Of course I really didn’t understand it at the time but this was just one of the critical tools that I needed to stay quit. Hell, I have never met anyone in person from my August 2016 group or KTC, and I’ve only spoken to one and that was just so he could tell me a joke!!!! Funniest shit!!
I hesitate to acknowledge anyone by name because I can usually be sure that I will screw up and forget someone. Everyone is important to me! But how cannot I not publicly (?) thank those who have a made a positive impression on not only my quit, but on me as well?
PKY1520, you were the first to contact me, and that was when you were only on your day 6. Thanks for helping me out along the way and always providing us with more tools and common-sense to strengthen our quit. MNxEngineer314, you have also helped me more than you will ever know. Some of your text messages have been received at times I really needed it or was experiencing a crave. Impeccable timing! FISHFLORIDA, you have become a constant reminder that there is victory in this fight, and there can also be humor to keep us vigilant and in happy spirits.
Then there were a few vets that got ahold of me and made sure I understood the KTC tools and program, where to go, what to do, and what NOT to fucking do! Rewire made a big impression and from day one I was honored to have him in my arsenal of quit ammo when I needed it. Thanks Rewire, you are a strong supporter of many and I’m grateful to be in contact. JB65 also checked in with me during my first couple weeks. A simple, “How’s the quit going”. You will never know how timely that question was and how much I needed that. Thanks for supporting new quitters and know that you do make positive impacts in others.
My August brothers, you are the reason that I am now controlling my addiction. Without your support and holding me accountable for my word I do not believe I could do this. I’ve said this before but I’m saying it again, we all here brothers in quit and the vets talk about “KTC saved my life”. BUT WE ALL BETTER BELIEVE THIS AND TAKE IT LITERALLY! Life is the ultimate gift; don’t fuck it up by putting poison in your mouth.
If any of you really know me you would know that it would be no problem to write 20+ pages here for my HOF statement. But I will end here by saying, thank you to everyone reading this and to all who my come in contact with me. I will offer my support to anyone if it will help them stay quit or get them through a tough time in their life. You have my word on that.
Brothers and sisters of quit, Thanks for saving my life! ODAAT.
NOTE: This piece written by KillTheCan.org forum member J-Heff
