Trithious ‘Dudes In The Den of June 2025’ HOF Speech

When I came to KTC I had no idea how I would fit in, because I don’t fit in anywhere. I have some unique struggles with a lot of brain injuries and I was scared how quitting would affect me more than anything. I was scared that I would live in higher pain than I can handle than I already do, I was scared that I would just fail like I have done in the past after 11 years of dipping (13 years total use as I was a smoker before), I was just plain scared.

I was tired of my gums bleeding. I was tired of not feeling confident in family photos. I was tired of feeling dependent on something that was making my health worse. Using was getting in the way of my relationship with The Lord Jesus Christ. That’s how ashamed of chewing I had become being a multi-time failure at quitting prior to KTC. I was also tired of my emotions being so extreme from being so strimmed out all the time. The unknown variable in my life was coming to KTC and subtracted the common denominator (myself) and adding to something bigger than who I am. That was the third best decision I’ve ever made in my life. Coming to Christ, marrying my wife and coming to KTC in that order.

When I fell into the June 2025 group I eventually stepped up into the SSOA guy. I didn’t know that would mean that my voice mattered and I had no idea that I would be the voice of my group. All these things were maybe to much for me at the time, but having the privilege to do that just helped bolster my resolve and quit. The guys in my group are fine gentlemen that encourage and inspire me everyday. They don’t talk much, but when they do it means a lot.

KTC did more than just help me quit after 100 days. I learned my sense of self-worth, I learned that I’m such a better person without nicotine in my system as I’m more relaxed, and I’m building better daily habits and made some good friends that can share in my faith with me. That’s super important for me right there. I know for sure that without KTC I would have not been able to serve just my Lord Christ Jesus and I would still be a slave to two masters. Because the strength The Lord gave me in my weakness I was able to overcome and die to myself and persist in being free from nicotine. NEVER AGAIN FOR ANY REASON!

To you noobs in the quit: Research what nicotine actually does to your body. Just don’t take our word for it. Read the articles here and other places and do the work. Get plugged in to the KTC network. Share phone numbers, be transparent and have accountability. The people here are the accountability so get to know them. Be engaging in your groups just don’t post and ghost or you will fail. Unfortunately that is how KTC works. I regret not publicly venting how I felt, but I did cling to one person that helped me with a lot! Kept me focused on God.

Thank you to the veteran quitters, conductors, mods, and admin for having such a good system here. The thankless job you guys all do would be for nothing if this method didn’t actually work. The information you guys share and how you guys engage to help is pretty structured and intense for a volunteer organization. Thank you for what you do, because it inspires me to give back what you all taught me to help younger quitters out. Also, one of yinz please someday tell me what a NOLAQ is and why it has a hole!

Special Thanks to my wife, my church, my seminary, and the random store clerks that asked about my quit and chose to upsell me water or food as I kindly asked them to.

NOTE: This piece written by Kill The Can member Trithious