What To Expect When You Quit Dipping
So you want to quit dipping and you would like to know what to expect when you do. We’re not going to pull any punches around here, it’s tough. That’s why we’re all here. This timeline has been put together over the years with the input of THOUSANDS of quitters. It has been shown to be remarkably accurate from the time you STOP USING NICOTINE.
Days 1 through 3 – Pure hell. You will walk in the fog. Nothing will seem real. Your brain is wondering where the hell its fix is and it is going to punish you until you come up with it. 72 hours, that’s all you need to get the nicotine out of your system. This is where you start to deal with the physical withdrawal associated with quitting dip. Drink lots of water. Read, post, read and post. Don’t take your anger out on your loved ones. We always tell everyone………Make this quit about YOU. If you quit for your wife, girlfriend, boyfriend, kids, mommy or daddy, you will resent them during this period. Quit for yourself and come in here to rant. Yell at us. Bitch at us. We can take it. We’ve been there.
Days 4 through 20 – Here comes the mind games. The nicotine is out of your system now. You will still have some physical things to deal with.
- Cravings
- Irritability
- Insomnia
- Fatigue
- Inability to Concentrate
- Headache
- Sore throat
- Constipation, gas, stomach pain
- Dry mouth
- Sore tongue and/or gums
Yep, you have this to look forward to. Your brain is rewiring itself. It isn’t used to being in an oxygen rich environment. Your body is responding in kind. Everything is a mind game now. All the cravings you have are actually due to triggers. Triggers are events where you are in a situation you would normally dip in. Mowing the grass, playing poker online, playing golf, working on the car………you get the picture. Keep drinking water, use seeds, the fake stuff, whatever you need to keep the dip out of your mouth. Remember, oral fixation is part of our habit, something you will eventually need to break. For now though, use all the tools you have.
Days 20 – 50 – You’re winning. Life isn’t great, but you probably had a couple of nights where you actually got some sleep. You might notice you’re going to bed earlier than you normally do. Not staying up to get in that last dip. You may notice some sores in your mouth. You’re thinking, “great, I quit dipping and now I have cancer.” You almost certainly don’t. Your mouth is healing itself. Tiny ulcers you’ve had for a long time are healing. We recommend you visit your dentist around the 30 day mark. Don’t be a pansy, just do it. He or she will be very supportive and they can explain the sores much better than we can. Don’t let your guard down. Don’t go out drinking with the fellas or the girls. We also recommend that you don’t drink for at least the first 50 days. Drinking is a huge trigger event and it weakens your resolve.
Days 50 – 70 – Cruise control. Life is really good. You still think about it, but this is good stuff here. Some people may suffer anxiety attacks during or a little before this stage. Some doctors say we dipped to relieve anxiety anyway. Some people can push right through this, others need a little help. Talk to your doctor before you quit or immediately after you quit. They will know what to do. Some give Wellbutrin or Lexapro. Lots of people in the support community take or have taken these medicines and can help you with the affects. Don’t wait till you get to this stage of the game to talk to a doctor. You’ll cruise through this stage much easier if you know how to take care of the anxiety or at least know it’s coming.
Days 70 – 90 – Late term craves, the doldrums, the blahs, the blues. Some people end up feeling like they are right back at day 1. The fog, the haze, the craves. It can be a tough time. You need to let people in your group know this is happening. Time to circle the wagons to get through it. It usually only lasts a few days. Fight through this and make sure your order your HOF Knife or Coin. Here are a couple of articles about this time period which we refer to as “The Funk”
Days 90 – HOF – Houston, resume the countdown. Enjoy the hell out of these last 10 days. You will be celebrating with your group as you all enter the HOF. It is a great feeling and an accomplishment you should not take lightly. Do something special for yourself and your family. They put up with your sorry ass for the last 90 days and they deserve something too.
100+ Days – Stay vigilant. Use the tools you have, to continue beating back any cravings or urges. You will still experience dip dreams and longings, but you are fully qualified to beat them down. Continue to post roll with your group. Get into the newer groups and help somebody out. Pass it along. Live the dream.
I havent quit yet…been thinking about it forever, like everyone I guess. Recntly though, the desire to quit has been stronger…The comments definitely help..I need to pick a date, within next 3 days for example and just buck up.
Day 2. Skoal straight 5-6 cans a week. Chewing or smoking since 16, 36 now. Just staring at the computer and can’t motivate to do any work. Quit for 9 months once when I graduated college. Right back in. Can always seems to get the first week or two under the belt then always seem to bum a smoke here and there, don’t even like smoking so I figure might as well buy the can, that’s what I want anyways. So here we go again…. Day 2 now. Major symptoms are foggy and haven’t crapped without my morning chew since.
Ok so been dipping for 35 years recently got gastric sleeve surgery and DR is making me quit , in fear of me getting ulcers, I have read all your stuff I cant eat nothing and now there taking the only thing I truly enjoy any advice thanks Hillbilly
Day 72 here. I dipped since my freshman year in HS. I’m 28 now. 1 can a day eventually led to two cans a day. I put one in when I woke up, after every meal, every time I drove, played video games, worked out, watched tv, at sporting events, etc.
It’s been extremely tough but I’m not ever looking back. I’ve tried to quit a hundred times. I was always trying to quit for the wrong reasons though. I imagine I’ll fight these mind game demons the rest of my life. You know, the ones that tell you that it’s okay to put just one in. The ones that say, “you’ve already quit, one can’t hurt.” Yeah those demons suck! Anyways, good luck everybody.
-Cody Cook
Btw… Eff you Copenhagen. I win š
Day 8 for me Cody, yours is the 2nd and last I’ll respond to, Hope you’re still cope clean. I made a poster with your eff you thing, Ty good buddy
Day two without Cope. I’ve quit before, but this time the physical withdrawals suck!
Day 3 without my trusty Skoal Mint. All and all not the worst I’ve experienced. My brain is still trying to rationalize caving in but I’m doing my best. I quit before for 4 months, but relapsed after working a particularly bad car wreck and my Lt. handing me his can after. I’m on the roll call for September 2014 and the Sultans are a tough group. I can do it this time.
Today is the day, when this tin is gone, I am done. Sick of hiding it from my girlfriend of almost 4 years.
So sick of the nicotine dependency.
Up here in Ontario, Canada, a 34g tin costs $21. At just over a tin a day it’s pretty much $8,000 a year on mint Skoal! Eff that!
Oh, and been dippin for 7 years now.
Just finished my last chew, I had my last one in my mouth as I wrote that first comment. I had just put it in…It’s down the toilet now!….
I AM DONE!
I’ve been free from snuff for 3 months. It was a battle and still is every great now and them but it’s totally doable. Good luck and God bless you guys!!
HAPPY FATHERS DAY!
Day 5 here.. Hope all on here stay strong, and kick that bitch nic in her face!!
I am going on 15 days without dip. Started at 15 and I will be 40 this year. My main problem is the panic attacks. The come on so fast and with no warning. Praying for everyone here on their journey.
BigNate – Panic attacks are actually a pretty common occurance. https://www.killthecan.org/your-quit/what-to-expect-when-you-quit-dipping/ Personally I took myself to the ER twice early in my quit cause I thought I was having a heart attack. Turned out it was anxiety / panic. Hang in there and keep pushing through. It gets better!
i am on my day 29 from quitting. this is a second time i came across this website. and i wanna write something for those who wanna quit and can’t make decision. first thing u need to do at the beginning, before u quit but don’t quit for atleast 2 weeks. i mean keep dipping but don’t dip after your meals, tea, coffee etc. for atleast 30 minutes in the starting and then increase the time. think about just hold ur can/pouch amd wait, its not running away. find something to do which will make u busy. i gurantee you, after 2 weeks u will be alot stronger. it is not going to help u for your whole quitting process. it is only going to give u kick start for the first 3 to 4 days, which are the hardest of all, when ur whole system freezes. good luck i wished tobacco never existed in this world.
I just started dipping I know that’s ironic. But I started off finding a can of kayak apple I bought a two pack afterwards and now I switched to skoal apple because the main reason is my uncle used to use the apple pouches and as a kid I loved the smell I love the taste and the dipping part but I am a smoker and quit smoking not with dipping on my own but decided to dip just a week ago for the f of it…I’m thinking I won’t get addicted to it because I don’t crave dips I go days without and get bored its like popcorn for a movie I dont have triggers and such and I dip for so long like hours I get sick then I stop but I’m thinking its not the nicotine why I am dipping and is there a type of dip with zero nicotine how there is zero nictoine for vape
I THINK what you’re asking is “Are there dip products out there that don’t contain nicotine?” The answer is absolutely “yes” https://www.killthecan.org/your-quit/smokeless-alternatives/
I can’t speak to vaping products as I’m not a smoker.
I have chewed pouch tobacco for twenty years and Snus spitless tobacco for 7 years. Today is my third day without any tobacco. My second day seemed harder than the third day.
Seeds and toothpicks have been taking the place of tobacco. Day by day, my fiancƩ has been a good support system for me.
Hey everybody again day 10 last few days have been rough not gonna lie. Just want to chew then I look at my kids and push through another urge one more day down. Keep pushin everyone.
Hey all. Day 1 was today and had last dip around 3 hours ago. I had no idea that such a strong and encouraging website like this even existed. All of you are very inspirational to me. I am 24 years old and have finally caught my self imprisoned by that nasty S**T. It literally makes me sick that anything can have that much control over me. It all started when I was about 15-taking dips in the football locker room with your boys was always the cool thing to do. Haha yeah right.
Anyways, Here I am – 9 years later & have been dipping approximately 1-2 cans a day for the last 7-8 years (Cope Longcut).
Thank you all for your support and let’s kick this shits ass!
Day 40, 3 year grizzly wintergreen almost a can a day habit I turn 18 in 4 days good to quit before I can buy it, I’m stilling going strong when in need of support I come here an read stories, I’m still extremely foggy have had panic attacks anxiety been smoking weed a little it helps relax me but makes anxiety worse, but I think I’ll make it I’m determined thanks everyone love to see people quitting just 40 days ago I was a boy looking at this wanting to quit you guys have gave me that power to my addiction free life. Can’t wait to make it to 100!
I’m on day 82 of being quit. Not gonna lie I miss my Skoal Straight, but this website has helped me push through every trigger/craving. I chewed for almost 15 years/1 can per day. I have gone completely cold turkey and been through a pretty severe bout of depression. I’m sure anyone who has quit chewing, especially after doing it for a long time, realized that life was boring without chew. For the first 50 days or so, everything I did sucked, nothing was fun, and I did not have anything to look forward to because I didn’t have a dip in. At day 82, I can assure you it is much better. I do regret not seeing my doctor to get on some anti-depressants (i.e. Wellbutrin), but I just want everyone to know that quitting is hard, but if you REALLY want to do it for yourself, it gets a little bit better every day. I pretty much get through every day now and maybe think about dip 1-2 times a day. I am completely off the fake chew (no tobacco/nicotine) now and feel great. I am a nicotine addict and will always be. I am looking forward to the day I never think about it again. Those who are thinking of quitting, it will be tough, but I can assure you, every day gets easier. Anyone who has been through days 1-5 of the quit and continued to stay quit will tell you that its not worth starting again (even 1 dip), because the no one wants to go through that hell again. Stay quit!
I am on 21st of day of leaving it. I some time feel that something is stuck in my throat and my neck muscles sometimes have a light pain. Is it something serious ? I don’t have any sores in my mouth, but yeah yesterday my dry lips bled. It’s changing weather here in New Delhi India with temperature hovering around 35C.
42 years old, my old roommate gave me my first can when I was 23. I was a can per day of Skoal Apple or Kodiak. 12 days with the aid of nicotine lozenges (way more effective than gum). My sleep is completely messed up but hope to be sleeping through the night soon.
Dipping since 18 and now just turned 34. I’m a helicopter pilot, and use at work, while flying, anytime outside, and definitely when drinking. Monday thru Friday I averaged a can a day, and usually one can would last the whole weekend. I stopped 27 days ago, and today was surprisingly the most difficult. I drove 30 mins to the only store that sells fake tobacco. Hated it, threw it away, but didnt buy the real thing. I also have noticed that I drink coffee more, not just mornings. However, been keeping the water intake up as well. Good luck to everyone here!
I don’t find quitting that hard, then again I haven’t dipped for 4-5 years like most of you but I just got to the point where it didn’t taste good anymore and always made me sick. What really made me quit was when my buddy put a bunch of tequila in my can of Kodak on New Years and I took a huge chaw to celebrate the new year and my whole bottom gums turned white. From that day on I haven’t dipped at all.
I Quit the can because I was afraid of killing myself, which I was doing all day long – at least 8-10 hours a day with lip shit in. On day 7 now, and keeping some sort of oral fixation going (toothpicks, seeds, gum, airheads, coffee). The toughest part so far is keeping calm and staying patient in stressful situations, now that you dont have your go-to, to take the edge-off. Staying very conscious of that and studying up on how to re-build / re-learn patience. Everyday I make it through, the more pride I feel, and don’t want to back to the shame of having toilet mouth. Stay committed everyone, you as a human being are worth way more than a can of lip poop.
I have only one problem ‘nothing seems real’ and it usually last for 1 or 2 days. The last time that nothing seemed real was today on day 48 since I quit. im really upset about it and want to start dipping again.
Dumped my cans in the sink day one start right now.
Blair, I’m sure the addiction has already taken you by the balls, but 3 years and a can every two days sounds a whole lot better than 10 years and two cans a day. Quit now, I hope you don’t look back on this some day and wish you did while you were ahead.
That said, I have been chewing for 10 years and yeah, 2 can a day habit for a long time now. Went to the dentist for a massive tooth ache and I may have a cancerous cyst. After looking through the pictures on here of what could come of this I’m ready to end this today. April fools? I think not. No more slavery. No more. Good luck to all of you in the same boat as myself, I hope you too set yourselves free..
By the way, I am 26. Never too young for cancer. I hope it is only a wake up call.
Hi everyone congrats to those who are still quit have been trying to quit since December I slipped after 2 weeks trying to get back that initial day one start I am 37 and have been chewing since 13. It really helps reading everybody’s encouragement because I am tired of this shit it just feels like u fail before u start gonna keep trying.
Brian, I certainly hope you don’t have cancer! Results yet? Either way, I hope you’re done chewing! I had a few scares myself years ago. Don’t do what I did and go straight back to the can once you find out it’s not cancerous.
Day 5 here. I’ve been dipping for over 30 years. At least for the last decade, I’ve had a dip in my mouth every waking minute of the day unless I’m eating or at church. I have been gutting it for the last decade as well. You’d be amazed how often you can have a dip when you’re not married to a spittoon!
So far so good. Been using Bacc-off for the oral fixation. It’s been a lifesaver. I can’t sleep at all though. Toss and turn. 3-4 hours of sleep a night and I toss and turn the whole time. I’m taking sleep aids as well but they’re not helping. (Melatonin and unisom)
The “fog” is lifting though. The densest fog was on days 2-3. Been lifting ever since. Still a bit foggy now bit NOTHING like the first few days. Fog is still there but if I don’t think about it, it’s not really noticeable.
I’m cranky/irritable still but gets easier every day to handle. I think that my crankiness is more due to sleep deprivation than anything else. The first few days I was like a jittery tweaker gone straight. It was amazing.
I’ve really had zero temptation to chew. I can’t foresee anything that will change my mind and make me go back to the can.
Best of luck to you and let me know your biopsy results!
Any word? I pray for you brother. Good luck
20 years old and i have tried multiple times to quit. I seem to always buy another can after Ive thrown away the last one saying that it is the last one. Been dipping since I was 17. I never really knew a site like this existed. It is hard to refuse a dip due to the fact that I am a college athlete with multiple majors. This is a big step for me since I was going through a can every two days. Reading all these posts is definitely a morale boost. Good Luck to all trying to quit!
at 39 today, starting to get some dead skin peeling away in my “dippers pocket”, is this normal?
My name is Austin I’m 16 been chewed for about 3 years… my 21 year old brother in law got me started 3 years ago.. I used to be a can and a half a day chewer… Been clean for about 5 months now… my girl wanted me to quit cut she looked up pictures of what chew does to your mouth and she made me quit at first it was hard for the first week… my parents got me an E-cig that is SKOAL flavor with low nicotine doesn’t help that all my friend’s chew and they offer me a dip I wanna say yes but I still refuse… now that I’m clean I feel better and I’m a lot more active I play sports (football) and I don’t think about it as much anymore… life is much easier now that I quit
I am going to start my quit journey tomorrow as I bought a tin yesterday gonna throw the rest down the toilet tonight before bed wish me luck i have tried many times before but never had success longest time without it was about 4 months before i got lured back in … i notice my throat always hurting and gum are down to almost nothing I am only 25 and have so much more to live for dip has been strangle holding me for about 10 years time to get it done any advice or encouragement is always appreciated
Good luck vinnie, you got this! Maybe you can share what lured you in to start dipping again last time. What ever it is maybe try and avoid it this time thru if possible. What we all have to remember is that we all have to quit at some point, lets make the decision to do it before its to late! Good luck vinnie and keep us posted so we can follow your success!
Day 3 and I feel great! Dipped a can a day for the last 15 years, never skipped a beat- sick, hungover, dental appointment, work, did not matter, somehow always found a way thru a full can every day. For the last 3 years I have really wanted to quit and frequently visited this site for support, never tried though. I finally did 3 days ago and to my disbeleive dont hardy have any cravings or side effects. I was a little foggy on day one but good after. I even had a few drinks last night with some buddys who dip and wasnt even tempted. So I wanted to drop back by and say that anyone who is questioning quitting but scared to at least try- GO FOR IT. Nothing to loose, only gains. I know that I will never touch that stuff again, it feels way better to be a non-dipper than that stuff tastes on its best day! Good luck guys and remember, you may not even struggle with quiting but if you do its an easier struggle than struggling with cancer, we have the choice now, lets make the right one!
Feeling a little edgy right now…chewing gums…life savers…i know i ant just quit a little at a time becuase then I will be chewing regularly again…has to be all or nothing
Like Tiffany at 10:00 am I poured a full can into toilet and flushed it…I want to do cold turkey and thats it
a can and a half a day
its been 4 hours….dont know if my mind is playing tricks on me….but my body feels weird…have chewed for 25 years…I want to quit
Day 26. Still having chest pain and a sore stomach, and sometimes shortness of breath. This totally sucks I don’t feel good and still waking up in the middle of the night. Thanks for the posts it really helps.
Working on day 13 hour 10. I feel better than I have in a long time. Everybody that quits needs to set up a counter online as a constant real time reminder of how far they have come.
Everyday the cravings get shorter and farther apart. Keep it up everybody
I have decided today to quit dipping. I told myself a year ago that I was quitting and it didn’t happen, so hopefully I will be strong enough to do so now. I have a 2 year old son and the last thing I want is for him to see and remember me dipping. It has ONLY been 6 hours. I already have a huge head ache, I’m super irritated and just all around pissed off and the only thing I want is just one more fix. All I keep thinking is, ‘one more is ok, i am trying to quit and one more is acceptable.’ Am I crazy for just quitting cold turkey?
Definitely not crazy for quitting cold turkey Tiffany… it’s the preferred method around here. And while it does indeed suck, it’s absolutely doable and TOTALLY worth it. Hang in there!
When do you get over the itrational fear of cancer when there are no apparent signs? I quit a week ago and am a member of the forum but am super paranoid. Went to a dr and they said it was just a lymph node. Regardless I am still paranoid, is this common?
I have been dipping for 4 yrs I am 16 and enough is enough I can’t live without it and I am sick of it it’s not fun no .more this is day 1
I quit after 5 years (2-3 cans/week) in 2007. In 2011 I started again, and again probably used 2-3 cans/week. I am ready to quit, ready to make it past just a day or 2 or 3, that is. Like many, I have soreness that I’m fearing means cancer (though it probably doesn’t), and I noticed that even that went away after a few days on past quitting attempts. But…………..I’m ready to be done for good now, and I’m glad I found this place after having a very short “relapse” (about a third of can total) yesterday and this morning. It is time to be done for good.
My name is Hemendra, Day 52. I am feeling lots of panic attacks. Can anybuddy tell me how long this will last?
I quit 5 days ago after 5 years at 1 can every 2 days, Ive had a few urges but i have not went insane or crazy i still feel the same as before but without a big fat dip in my mouth, is it going to hit me sometime or is the worst part over with?
I was about the same. 7 years 1 can every 2 days. It was easy for me. I’m on day 69, and the only issues I had was dip dreams. I had some cravings but for the most part quitting was easier than I thought . Haven’t had the urge to put in a dip for a while. Cold turkey, no seeds , nothing. You might gains about 3 percentage of your total body weight in the next few weeks. As long as you work out and eat right you should be fine
I AM FOGGY!!! its killing me..only in 52 hours… not physical, just want to spit!
Hey Drew – if you’re looking for something to deal with the “act” of dipping, there are quite a few fake dip / smokeless alternatives available: https://www.killthecan.org/your-quit/smokeless-alternatives/
well its about 1pm and I’m doing alright I think. I have been using the gum to to take off the edge. perhaps tomorrow I will go cold turkey. I work in construction so its real hard not just go up to 99 percent of the workers and ask for a dip. anyway thanks for the support. also I find myself eating a ton today. crazy
march 12 2014, just dumped my can down the toliet. I want to quit. I want to quit so bad. I have nicorette gum, but would like to go cold turkey. any thoughts?
Jeremiah – we subscribe to the cold turkey method. Nicorette will certainly “take the edge off” but that’s cause it contains nicotine – which is really what you’re trying to break free from. http://blog.killthecan.org/2009/11/whats-really-in-nrt/ Join us on our forums – http://forum.killthecan.org/ where we’ve got nearly 19,000 members who “get it” cause we’ve all been there before. You can do this!
I have not posted on here yet but have done plenty of reading as I went thru this quit. I’m extremely happy to say that today is day 70 of this journey. Never thought I could kick this nasty habit that stuck on me for close to 19 years, but I’m on my way and feel great. Still have bad urges that last a few hours, especially while working with others that still dip, but keeping occupied gets the mind off of it, along with plenty of seeds and the occasional dip of Smokey Mountain. To all the other quitters out there, keep with it. In time the bad days get replaced with way more good days and you too will be on your way to kicking this habit!
My husband is quitting after 8 years and Lord help me, he is going through all kinds of symptoms including extreme douchiness. It has really helped ME reading everyones comments and encouragement on here. This process isn’t just affecting him, it’s affecting me and our children. It’s been about 2 weeks and now he’s dealing with stomach pains, nausea, and vomiting. He’s also experienced muscle aches and joint pain. I’m praying he feels some relief soon and doesn’t give up and start dipping again. Thanks to all of you for sharing your stories and support. You never think when you start this habit how it will affect you later in life, and the lives of those who love and care for you!
Here are a couple tips: if you are dealing with mouth sores, research oil pulling. It’s natural and will help pull toxins from your mouth as well as heal. Also Arnica and Tumeric are great for natural muscle and joint pain relief. There are quite a few natural supplements you can include in your diet that would help curb some of the side effects of quitting and help you feel better without introducing other potentially addictive medications into your system. It’s worth the time to do a little research and most are really inexpensive. Good luck!
So this is day 13 for me and my chest hurts,arms and legs and face are warm and tingley, but im getting it down i think
Day 2/3 here, gave it up for Lent, figuring God can help get me through this time (first time I quit I spent about six months clean, then relapsed playing hockey) and I was tired of lying to my girlfriend. Literally stared in the mirror for awhile in a complete daze, been listening to music trying to keep my mind off everything. I started periodically in high school, now I’m 25. I get this tingly feeling throughout my body all the time, no idea what that’s about. I also woke up with a sore throat on day two. I’ve done a much better job of not flipping out on my g/f though. I told her to leave me alone for a few days so I didn’t rip her head off.
Worst/toughest part so far is just finding something else to do. I’m a hockey player, so I’m a gym rat anyway, but I can only lift so many times in a day haha. Regardless, the best part about quitting is that I’m going to be cut up by the time this is over. Easiest way to get over it? Just stay busy, keep your mind off it, and DO NOT rationalize it. The bottom line is it’s going to kill you if you don’t stop, and I’m a cocky son of a bitch so I want to be the first guy to live forever. Screw dipping in the butt.
Today the Day 104 and now i am so much happy that i have quit on 23nov, thanxs to all .
Day 1. I’m a 17 year old jr in HS. I’ve been dippin a can and a half every day for 3 and a half years. Parents put up with it but have asked me to quit every day since I started. Finally just woke up at 530 this morning and took all my cans and went into the backyard and threw them as far as I could into the woods. Tough day at school cause I usually dip in all my classes. Just day 1 but I’m really feeling like hell and all I can think about it goin to buy a can. Any advice?
Copenhagen Southern Blend and Grizz Mint Cut are the enemy right now.