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.
Hi everyone – I am trying to be patient and I am still struggling big time. I went 9 months with no dip and in a stupid moment of weakness, I put in one dip. That was it, just one. I didn’t go buy a can or put in another dip. It has been 75 days since that relapse and I am having a really hard time. I have put in ONE FREAKING DIP in 11 months and I am still having weird symptoms. My chest gets so unbelievably tight, I have anxiety, I get dizzy, I cant concentrate. I have been to my primary doctor and the ER. Have had multiple tests run: EKG, Blood pressure, blood sugar, bloodwork, chest xray and all came back normal. Besides needing to drop a few lbs, doc said I am pretty healthy overall. I wish these chest pains would just go away. The tests said there is nothing wrong with my chest, but these pains say otherwise. I guess it could be related to stress/anxiety but I can manipulate the pain when I flex my pecs or touch my elbows behind my back, the pain increases so I didn’t think it was stress related since certain movements make it worse. Ever heard of this from someone quitting? Looking for a light at the end of the tunnel…
Hi Doug,
I quit April 25, 2018. Some of the systems I have had sound similar to yours. My doctor told me it was gas trapped in my upper chest and anxiety. I was put on some kind of GERD medicine. With this chest discomfort I also had a lot of burping. I continuously burped for days. One thing I do when I get anxiety is to walk around and drink water. It sounds weird but it works for me. Hope you feel better!
Best,
Lance
Thanks Lance, I appreciate the insight but I dont believe mine has anything to do with reflux. No burping for me. Mine is more along the lines of muscle tightness. It gets so tight, I can bend and crack my chest, like you would your knuckles….but that did not start until I quit dipping.
GERD has many manifestations. It wouldn’t hurt to start yourself on a daily PPI. They re over the counter now.
Also, i’m a physician.
Ninja – You think a steady constant pain in my chest could be attributed to GERD? If I flex my pecs or try to touch my elbows behind my back, that is when the pain manifests itself. Doc thought it could have been a small tear in the connective tissue that connects ribs to sternum. I have been to the doctors – EKG and all bloodwork were normal and chest xray was normal…Occasionally I do have a harder time swallowing than I used to.
Doug,
Anxiety dude, plain & simple. I am no Doc & I am not telling you to not get checked out, but I dipped for over 35 years, quit cold turkey back in Feb 2015. 6 months later out of the blue my chest felt like it was gonna explode, like my sternum was on fire. I was 44 yoa @ the time, ok shape for my age, not a slob. I thought I was having a heart attack or some shit. Went to the ER, then to the cardiac unit for 2 days. $5,000 later, NOTHING was found, Zilch….. Saw my general Doc, determined it was anxiety, depression, a little of both probably. That dip shit masked whatever the hell bothered me prior to dipping. Contemplated dipping again, for real. Fuck it, never caved. 3.5 yrs later, still nic/tobacco free. Still get those same pains, just not as often & not as severe. Usually flare up when I get stressed out. I workout & walk a lot, have got my weight under 200 lbs, feeling pretty good overall. Have never taken any anxiety or depression meds, wouldn’t be totally against it if needed. I know I can be a real ass to my wife @ times, so she may get fed up one day & tell me to look into, which she kind of already has. LOL. So my response is, time does help.
Thanks Dan. I am hoping it’s just anxiety.
Here it goes. Another Day 1 starts tomorrow. I’ve got my arsenal of fake pouches. Got a bunch of different brands this time. Grizzly wintergreen pouches has been my go to for YEARS. It’s been 8 years total since I really started dipping. The worst part is, I had it beat early on! I dipped for 3 months then all of the sudden the stuff made me sick to my stomach even smelling it. Didn’t touch it until one night I almost got in a bad car accident because of some idiot, and I was so worked up my buddy offered me a pinch to “calm me down”. And boy did it work, I was hooked. 6 months later moved to pouches and 8 years and 5 failed quitting attempts later, here I am. Even though I’ve never made it more than a week, I know one thing I won’t quit is quitting. Even if this one turns into another failed attempt, there will be another. And another. Until I finally kick the can for good.
One day at a time, you can do it man……
What are the statistics of guys quitting dipping and still getting cancer?
Why?
3.5 yrs quit, clear so far……
I found out in 2016 that I had a cancerous tumor in my duodenum (between your stomach and small intestine). I had surgery to get remove it.
I am 50 years old and have dipped/chewed from the time I was probably 8 years old. The check ups that I have had sense are clear and free.
As soon as I got out of the hospital, we went to a store and bought me a box of Smokey Mountain winter green dip and the Nicotine patches. I have dipped it ever sense. I’m trying to figure out how to stop the Smokey Mountain now.
The way to look at it is the sooner you quite, the less likely you are to get it. Good luck.
Tony
I am at day 107 and it is crazy the control nicotine has had on my life. The last 10 days or so I have been in a sort of fog, not like the intitial fog, but a fog non the less. The biggest cravings I have had during this quit came yesterday. Teeth pain and anger. The positive thing is this being clean for 107 days has shown me how stupid I was to start chewing in the first place. It has shown me that the feelings today are due to my nemisis nicotine. This pushes me forward to day 108 free of this terrible drug. Thanks to the daily texters they help.
QUIT ON!
DeanER and SNH-
https://www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/qigong
DeanER….little scary that I’m on day 5 nosing around online seeing how long some of these withdrawls last and the first forum post I read is yours at day 107 and 108. Yikes! But you’ve made it there, hopefully so can I.
I’m at day 114, my withdrawals and cravings only lasted about 2 weeks. The only thing I still get are really bad dip dreams where I think i caved, and wake up all out of breath and pissed at myself. Everyone is different !
My doctor thought tobacco use was hiding anxiety issues,but it wasn’t. The anxiety SLOWLY went away.Try you’re best to be patient , give yourselves time. This may take longer than you expected.
Do your best to avoid anxiety medications and their side effects. Butt if it gets too too bad , take em . Whte ever it takes to get through this mess is worth it.
Good luck mates .
ello DUNDIPPIN & Sig
SNH, aka TRDT,
Always on mark mi amigo. DeanER, It sounds rough but this quit shit and stay clean of all NIC is the real deal. Slow and steady progress is in your future. Try to get plenty of exercise, drink lots of water and OJ (ode to Dun) don’t beat yourself up and overthink the details, KISS. My suggestion for the stress induced anxiety is to try Xi Gong.
@Sigman45, aka Shep
Steve – I am trying to be patient and I am still struggling big time. I went 9 months with no dip and in a stupid moment of weakness, I put in one dip. That was it, just one. I didn’t go buy a can or put in another dip. It has been 75 days since that relapse and I am having a really hard time. I have put in ONE FREAKING DIP in 11 months and I am still having weird symptoms. My chest gets so unbelievably tight, I have anxiety, I get dizzy, I cant concentrate. I have been to my primary doctor and the ER. Have had multiple tests run: EKG, Blood pressure, blood sugar, bloodwork, chest xray and all came back normal. Besides needing to drop a few lbs, doc said I am pretty healthy overall. I wish these chest pains would just go away. The tests said there is nothing wrong with my chest, but these pains say otherwise. I guess it could be related to stress/anxiety but I can manipulate the pain when I flex my pecs or touch my elbows behind my back, the pain increases so I didn’t think it was stress related since certain movements make it worse. Ever heard of this from someone quitting? Looking for a light at the end of the tunnel….
I’ve tried quitting several times, and had full support from loved ones but it never worked. After seeing the effects of this terrible habit I hope that this is what prevails and keeps me from caving.
Matt,
You have to really want to quit. Once you make that decision the rest is easy.
That allows you to stop the conversations in your head as to whether to do just one more. If you do just one more then you are back to square one.
Next, you need to be able to switch your focus from wanting that dip to anything else that you enjoy.
This ability to change your focus is critical.
When you dip, your brain releases ensorphins. You will no longer be getting these.
Drink OJ for sugars to replace these.
Eat three square meals a day.
Exercise.
I quit with you today.
Dundppin Day 998.
I am quitting today for good. No more nicorette gum, patches, or vape. Just quitting nicotine.
The story about Randy really got to me.
Congrats on a great decision to quit Richard – you’re not alone!
I quite cold turkey on 4/1/18. The first 7 days were very tough. I now go a good amount of days without any significant urge, but there are some days that are difficult, which is exactly why I’m writing this today.
Day 100!! Wow longest I’ve ever gone without in almost 30 years. Only occasional cravings now, subsided with a stick of gum or hard candy. This site is great for accountability and goals. Only the beging of a long chew free life.
Beginning not begging dang spelling..
Two years cold turkey mangs !!!
Happy Memorial Day
Salute ( o Y o )
Congrats Steve No Happy!
Keep up the good work.
Thanks for inspiring so many with your words of wisdom.
I quit with you today.
Dundippin day 987
Hi All,
Quit dipping on April 25, 2018. Some of the things I noticed in the first month was the anxiety, pain in different parts of my body and the different feelings I guess I never noticed before. The most recent issue is the continuous burping. Just wanted to know if anyone else was dealing with similar issues.
God my acid reflux has gone up tremendously since i quit. my anxiety is thru the roof and i think Im sick. But I know there is nothing wrong with me. Just haven’t been like this every. Been about 30 days dip free
Dudes…I’m a year quit today. Good news and bad news. Good news is, the burping, reflux, anxiety, pains, weird feelings, are all just part of the process. Bad news, it can take some time for it all to go away. When I first quit, I had this awful sensation in my throat. Almost like it was swollen. All my neck muscles hurt, even my my jaw muscles. All the weird pains make the anxiety worse because you can’t explain them. My anxiety was through the roof. Maybe even depression. I feel way better now. I went to an ENT Doctor for the throat thing, thinking I had throat cancer. Nope, he said he thought it was reflux and put me on 40mg omeperazol. I was on it for 8 months. All the reflux, throat issues, etc are pretty much gone now. I still get a little bit of anxiety here and there, but nothing like before. My option is that what you’re going through is normal, but I will advise that you go see your doctors and tell them everything your feeling. Even the anxiety or depression, they can help you. Best of luck and hang in there. Stay quit, Dudes
I’m on day 35 and I’m experiencing the EXACT SAME symptoms you are. It’s nice to know you’re not the only one. I’ll also sometimes get really nauseous at random times throughout the day. Pcp and ent say nothing’s wrong with me. Guess only thing left to do is stick with it
Hi Lane,
Hang in there. I still feel like Ric Flare sometimes. Anxiety still happens but not as often. Still burp alot but all the crazy body feelings rarely happen. Wish you the best!
I know quitting is all on me and I really just need to buck up and get it done but here is my struggle.
I’m 35. I’ve chewed since I was 19. For at least 12 years of the that I chewed from the moment I woke up to the moment I went to bed. I wouldn’t take huge dips and at the height probably chewed about 2.5 cans per week. Over the past 3 years I have quit and started again multiple times. The longest was for 7 months, I have quite for 4 month, 3 months twice, for a month 3 or 4 times, and numerous times for a week or two. Even when I do chew now it is typically limited to my 30 min drive to and from work, on the golf course, and anytime I can get away with it with my wife around on the weekends. (She thinks I quit 3 years ago). Despite feeling the benefits, physically and mentally, of quitting I always convince my self that I can just have a can when I go on vacation or ” just for this round of golf” and always end up back at the same old habit. I always have a revelation and throw the can out the window but it never sticks. I convince myself, at least for a little bit, that my consumption is way down and that I am far better off then before. I also read on here about guys that have chewed for 40 years and have quit and they never had problems…plus you hear about guys that chew a can a day and I never did that….so you know….why would I get cancer?
The biggest problem I have is that I like to chew…it relieves stress and I just enjoy it—i mean besides the occasional fear of losing my jaw or tongue—I don’t have any other vices, I only drink maybe once every 2 weeks…maybe…
Don’t really know what I am trying to accomplish by posting this but am trying to find some reason to stick to quitting and just can’t…..
So the struggle is you continue finding reasons not to quit? The answer is simple really. Dump the can & walk away. Find some fake dips to help out, post here for support, exercise, use this place as kind of an AA meeting place. Kudos to you for even posting here because as the Bossman Chewie says, You Ain’t Here By Accident……. Had my 1st dip when I was 10 yrs old, quit 3 yrs ago last Feb, just prior to turning 44. The next step is on you brother…….
JLO-I applaud you for trying to quit, but you haven’t made up your mind that this is the last chew forever. There is no such thing as having a chew at certain times if you are committed to the quit. For you it’s the golf course and the car. For me, it was fishing and the car. Wife would go to sleep and I’d sneak to the garage to my chew hiding spot.
I don’t fish any more. It’s not as fun without a chew. I got use to not having one on drives home from work. Chew was sucking the life out of me. Now, I swim 3-4x a week. Lift once a week. Much better. I missed those days at first but 643 Days into the quit, I am much better off. Had to get on Lexipro for anxiety and depression because chew had masked it for 30 years. I decided I am done with the stuff and have stuck to it for almost two years. Dipped from 1981-2016. Done with it. Not a slave any more. You have to make a decision that is final and every day stick to it no matter what.
When did you get on Lexipro? I stopped for 28 days after a 24 year habit. Anxiety went crazy…I’m dipping again but anxiety is as bad as when I stopped!!!
CAP – I quit in Oct 2016. As is the common theme, Anxiety struck me hard – I thought I had every illness/sickness under the sun. Xanax was the short term answer for the major panic attacks. Back to your question about Lexipro. When I quit I had a pretty major change in my attitude and just my general state of mind. I was constantly on edge and didn’t want to be around ANYBODY – not even my wife and kids. It was bad. Crazy thing- I didn’t crave or want chew. For me, Lexipro has been a Game Changer. I’m my old self again. Couple things to remember about it. It can take a couple months to actually “kick in’ and start working- it’s not an aspirin where you take it and feel better in 20 min. If you are married or got a girlfriend, there are a few potential side effects that can affect your “private” time together. So you will want to discuss that with her. 1 of these side effects is the inability to reach organism. In short, my wife thought I wasn’t attracted to her anymore. We had to make a Doctor visit together to clear that up. So short story long – of the people you love/trust are saying you’re “not the same” take the Lexipro.
When you reach organism, does a tiny mouse sprint out of your urethra?
You still on Lexipro NOMOREBEER? My Doc suggested it for me but I haven’t taken it yet. Just curious your thoughts? I have similar things as you, anxiety & depression, no doubt in my mind dip masked this stuff.
JLO, it would appear to me that you are not all in here. I chewed for 42 years, day 100 was today. I can say quitting has sucked. I feel pretty much the same today as I did day one. I am not going back to the stuff because it hurts your life in so many ways. Health, lying(you lie to your wife and family every day) it controls you. Quitting sucks, but it doesn’t suck as much as have nicotine control me.Everybody tells me it gets better I am banking on it, because I don’t want to go through this again. Good luck man you can do it if you set your mind to it.
My motivation to quit wasn’t the occasional fear of losing my jaw or tongue, it was a constant fear of it. I got to a point where I thought about oral cancer more than I enjoyed dipping. It took me 25 years to reach that point, but I did. I was just like you, I enjoyed dipping, 25 years of it is proof enough. But at age 45 with a wife and two boys, my health took priority. Hopefully you will find a reason for YOU to quit. I’m on day 953. You can do it, believe me. Is it hard? You bet your ass it is, but this site helps a lot about what to expect. It is accurate. The first two weeks were the roughest for me. After that, my will power took over and my constant fear of cancer got me through. If YOU want to quit, YOU will.
Chewie, sometimes when I try to post I get the reply “Invalid Security Token” instead of posting my response. Do you know why? Thanks.
hmm… first time I’ve heard of this. I’ll look into it.
Preciate it. Also, sometimes if I wanna post to someone elses post I can’t because there is no reply button available.
I started chewing my sophomore year of high school during powerlifting. After my first year of college I’ve realized enough is enough. I always hid it from everybody even in college almost nobody knew. I’ve moved to a new state over summer and I started a factory job so, this will be tough but if I don’t quit now I’ll be the guy 30 or 40 years down the line.
If suffered anxiety for years. Yes I would have they almost exact same symptoms Would start on the sternum area and died to my face. Been on medication for several years and had maybe 2 anxiety attacks on the lady 5 years. I at one point I had them several times a week.
In July I will be 4 years quit. Best thing I ever did. After all this time I have zero urges to ever pick up can. It’s the best thing I ever did for my health and my wallet. Hang in there and you will get through it. Sometimes it gets worse before it gets better but don’t let the nic bitch talk you into dipping again.
Guys I’m on day 12 of my quit and I’ll never do the stuff again. I have a question though. Does anyone here experience jaw pain? With occasional ear pain or popping. There’s also a spot on my jaw/gums. I’m afraid it is the worst fear. I’m very scared. I have a dentist appointment next Thursday I can keep my mind straight and yesterday I barely ate anything.
Chewing gum, eating sunflower seeds can cause jaw pain and sores. Have the dentist check it out , peace of mind is always good. Keep on fighting and quiting.
So I have quit for 7 months now, I dipped for over 30 years. I felt good about quitting this time for real. I have quit 100 times but never for longer than 30 days but this time I thought I had it whipped until lately. I have had hard urges to dip again. Don’t know why after so long I am getting these urg s again. I think I have proven to myself that I can quit but my mind is trying to talk me into getting a can and going for it! I mean I chewed for over 40 years with no ill health effects and I’m almost 60 years old now, my swell just get a can and enjoy retirement or should I just suffer everyday thinking about how good a dip would be? I have never received much support from this web site seems like everyone just writes their own sad story on here . I have never had any support or needed it but I would like to hear from long time quitters to see if you still miss the chew. If so why put yourself thru the misery of missing it every day ?
I am not a long time quitter only 87 days. Your story and mine are similar. I started chewing Redman in 1976, switch to Copenhagen in the late 1980’s. I have and am in good health I turn 60 in December. My motivation is I’d rather quit now while I am healthy rather than wait til I am not healthy. I think for guys like us we have been chewing 3/4 of our life the body and mind don’t know what to do without it. I can say this from my perspective now and that is fight through those urges, because eventually your going to have to quit. Your health will probably go and it will be tougher at that time.
Thanks Dean er and good luck to u!
DeanER, I totally agree with you. I’ve dipped or chewed for over 40 yrs. Since I was a kid sneaking it off the dashboards of trucks, like my Dad and my Uncle, lol! Boy, I wish I would have never done that. But now I’ve been quit for 83 days. Cravings are not bad anymore, but I feel anxious, BP is up, and it seems my body is struggling to adjust!?
Stay the Course Brother!
You have done a great job! I have to quit, now 55! Dang, 7 months is good.
Yes, slight ear pain on the left side, though apparently this is supposed to be normal. I’ve only been off the stuff for two weeks.
Popping can be a completely separate issue. I have chewed for 15 or 16 years. I have TMJ in my jaw. TMJ can cause the jaw to be sore and can sometimes feel like ear pain. All you can do is get checked out for the spot. Don’t put it off, it could be huge difference if you wait.
*Most important*- if everything checks out and you are cleared, Don’t forget how you feel right now!!! It’s not worth the anxiety and the worry.
Hope you had appointment and things went well, I have just been referred to Oral surgeon to look at my spots. Hoping for the best.
HELP! I quit in July 2017 and in a moment of weakness put in a stupid ass dip. My anxiety has come back full force. It has been 48 days since I did that but I am having a really really hard time as of late.
Does anyone else get chest pains from the anxiety? Specifically right in the middle of their chest, it feels like my sternum. My chest gets so incredibly tight, then my mind runs wild and then other randoms pains come in to play. I have been to the doctor twice since then, blood work and EKG were normal. Blood pressure was a little high but Doc thought it was caused by the anxiety. The tightness and pain in my chest can be pretty intense.
Is anyone else experiencing sternum pain from anxiety?
It’s most likely reflux, especially if you just started dipping again. Tobacco is a big reflux trigger, I wouldn’t worry about it.
Yes, had the same exact thing happen in 2015, 6 months after my quit. Went to the ER to get checked out, no issues at all. To put your mind at ease, go get checked out by your Dr. But yes, had the identical issue you suffered too.
Thanks Dan. How long did it last, and did it just go away one day?
Hmmmm, tricky question. Being over 3 yrs quit I have the opinion that whatever crap they put into smokeless tobacco somehow some way helped me deal with stress or whatever you wanna call it. The pain in my sternum pretty much stopped after I realized the pain was all mental & nothing physical. Sometimes the stress still gets to me since I no longer dip, but if I feel something building up, I workout or go for a walk. Usually works ok for me.
Also, I for some reason didn’t notice you said you had gotten checked out by your Doc. Keep in communication with him still, maybe able to offer some advice.
Thanks Dan.
I quit 12/31/2016 I planned the next time I get sick I’m going to stop because I’ve tried numerous times and couldn’t fight through the initial fog. I had a sinus cold headache and felt like crap so it kind of masked the feelings of withdrawal. In place of the cravings I used jolly ranchers and gum but, it wasn’t cutting it and thought I was going backwards I got on here and saw everyone liked smokey mountain. The first 3 days of quitting was a buzzy vibrating numbness very agitated and my mind was foggy. After that I’d say day 6 I got smokey mountain classic cause it tastes more like Copenhagen snuff and for 3 months I was using it for all the after dinner, stressful events and in the morning dips. Around day 6 I remember thinking I don’t need nicotine I need to have that comfort of having that dip I’ve dipped for 20 years sometimes smoked and dipped I quit once to smoke and smoke 2 packs a day. Around the 3 month mark my wife says you trade cope for that stuff you need to quit and this is where I reintroduced gun and hard candies only using smokey working on the car, mowing, fishing just tried to cut it out from my every day. Sometimes I’d have a urge to go back and dip Copenhagen but, it wasn’t a strong urge just a nudge to try it again kinda like a little devil on my shoulder I’d liking it to quitting soda and having the urge to just drink one glass. I chewed the shit out of gum sometimes 4 pieces and found I’d pack it in my lip when stressed.
A year and change later I still sometimes think about dipping but, instead of cope its smokey on my mind. I cut down my gum issue and somedays I don’t chew gum at all. I believe if I dipped cope just once I would ruin all this progress so that is what drives me to not even attempt that. Oh yeah I was always afraid I’d RIP my wife’s head off or gain a bunch of weight when I quit but neither happened. I’m healthier, losing weight, can brush my teeth without bleeding gums.
ADAM, Great work quitting! I used a “real cotton”, cotton ball saturated with Listerine brand mouth wash to feel the missing Cope VOID in my mouth. Keeps the wife happy and me, minty fresh; try it in a pinch……. Sig
WORD? Listerine and a cotton ball? That’s some MacGyver type stuff. You got any recipes for recreating that taste of Grizzly Mint?
SHATWOOD, Try the minty fresh Crest in lieu of Listerine to fill that void. Works for me. sig
I used Smokey Mountain Wintergreen pouches and liked them a lot. I used them for around a month and realized I was starting to get addicted to those as well. The tins are around $4 so that can get spendy as too. Decided I needed to drop those too. I just chew sunflower seeds in my car now and it’s been around a month since I had the fake stuff. Bottom line is if you use something long enough you will start thinking you need it which you don’t.
936. I dont even remember the last time i had a craving but it has been years. I had to laugh yesterday watching a movie i hadnt seen in ages “The Outlaw Josey Wales”. It had me trying to remember exactly what chewing tobacco felt like and why i ever enjoyed it? especially when he kept spitting on the people he had gunned down or on that poor dog lol. Im laughing now but god what a nasty habit. I hadnt thought of it in a long time but how i used to have water bottles full of spit around my house Or meeting some hot chick at the park when i had a wad of chew in my mouth how embarrassing it would be spitting in front of them, Either that or swallowing it and getting sick later. No i dont miss that crap. I have lost over 40 pounds since i quit. I ride my bike daily and am up to 8-16 miles a day. I lift weights. I havnt felt this good since i was probably 12 years old.
TOM S.,
Good stuff without the nic bitch! Congrats and ENJOY! Sig
Tom,
I envy you. i am at day 976 and I still get the craves at times. Especially around a major milestone like the 1,000 coming up.
So to our fellow quitters out there. All quits are different and do not feel bad if ol Tom hasn’t had a pang in forever and you are still getting them.
The quit is different for all of us.
Regardless of whether you feel craves or not, I encourage you to keep your guard up. There is a crave always lurking around the corner.
I quit with you today.
Dundippin, day 976.
Advice? You are 12 days in to your recovery. The thing you need to learn is that you can’t have “just one”. “Just one” will put you back in the cage you just left.
One is too much, and one thousand is not enough.
You are out of the cage. Do you want to stay out?
Day 24 for me, and while cravings have gotten less and less the anxiety has gotten worse and worse. Plan on going to the dentist next week. Amazing how paranoid you can be once you quit but never even thought twice while still using.
Thank God for Jakes Mint Chew, I have tried others for some reason I just prefer Jake’s. Does anyone have any experience using the tobbacco free alternatives and how long you used them before giving them up as well? Or have you just continued to use them? Thanks!
Day 72 for me and I used nic gum first week then have cheers regular sugar free since. With nic free chew i tried using on previous tries I still felt like I was chewing and this time I wanted everything about the chewing feeling out of my life and it has gone much better.
Congratulations Scott! I dipped Copenhagen Snuff for 27 years and on occasion Skoal fine cut. I quit 4 years ago and haven’t taken a dip that contains tobacco/nicotine since. I missed the “feel” more than anything. Finding this site (thanks Chewie) I was able to review and order multiple products. The best I found at the time was Hooch Snuff (when it came in tin cans—-miss that can). I used Hooch Snuff wintergreen for about 6 months (since no alternative comes close to Copenhagen). After that, I went to TeaZa because I went from working outside to an office setting. I used TeaZa daily for 2 more months. After that… I was done with everything. On occasion I still get a hankering and I’ll now order Hooch wintergreen “Packs” (Pouches) just to keep around if the “urge” comes about. If I see a new product come out, I always reach out to Chewie here on this site to let him know. On occasion I’ll order new products and submit a review as well. You have a great start… its tough, but if I can do it after 27 years, I’m sure anyone can. Especially with the support of this site and MANY alternatives. Best of Luck!
Very helpful, thank you! Still going strong, and decided to just stick with the fake stuff as long as I need to. Anything to not go back to the grizzly.
Hey Scott good job in at 238 still using smokey mountain I stopped using the alternative for awhile but put on to much weight I just use to keep my mouth occupied
Thanks Rocco, same thing here. Whenever I stopped using the alternatives I couldn’t stop snacking ALL day.
Day 12 for me today and I’m bouncing off the walls. Looking forward to finishing another day dip-free though.
My biggest challenge is coming up this weekend I think. I’m driving to visit my family 5+hrs in a car by myself with no one to keep me accountable, then another long car ride after three days with my parents…if I make it back home without dipping this weekend, I’ll feel so proud. Looking for some advice to get me through this hard stretch.
Appreciate the site and everyone’s stories. It’s been a big help on the harder days so far.
Hey BradK,
Congrats on quitting. Just one comment on your post. “if I make it back home without dipping”? IF? Why IF and not WHEN! WHEN I make it back. Positive thoughts! Remove all doubt and excuses.
Spence
Spence, I agree, this quitting stuff is not for the weak or doubtful.
BradK, You will feel like shit for a while, it’s normal but tolerable with a TEAM of committed quitters surrounding you right here. Embrace the funk and reach out for help. We are all addicts here with similar experiences, tap into the KTC network. I did and it worked well for me. Sig
Spence and Sigman – Just wanted to say thanks for the wisdom and encouragement. I’m on day 31 now and your words have been and continue to be a big help when I’m feeling shaky!
To all my people who have relapsed – Did your withdrawal symptoms come back? I was 9 months no dip and feeling pretty good and in a moment of stupidity and weakness, I put in a dip. It has been 39 days since that dip. I didn’t feel my symptoms come back right away but really started again about 7-10 days ago, 4 weeks after I put that dip in. The anxiety has come back in full force and a lot of strange pains in my chest and tingling in my arms. I went to the doctor again, had blood-work and and EKG and everything was normal. Doctor says it is just anxiety, but damn I feel like there is something seriously wrong with me. It is hard to explain but I just don’t feel normal.
I feel your withdrawal and relapse pain. I went almost 5 years dip free and started back the day my FATHER passed away. Suggestion on what worked for me. Read up on this site, join a quit group, sign in each day, promise to quit and repeat.
Sig +1 = ACCOUNTABILITY
YOU WILL FEEL LIKE SHIT, it’s normal and a good reminder to stay away from the worm dirt (Nicotine in any form). Sig
365 days today. This site has helped. Thought about it every day, but I don’t want to go back to day or week 3. Keep it up you all. You can do it if you really want it.
Congrats dude!
CONGRATS BLADD! +1 and REPEAT! “K.I.S.S. Sig
Day 958 and I have been having the toughest days since I started my quit.
I am good at averting my attention and I am committed to never going back.
But, I am surprised that at this late stage, I still feel a tugging at my lip and short thoughts of older days.
It is a good thing that I can consciously change my focus at will. That ability helps a great deal with fighting this demon. You never know when it will show up and challenge you again.
I quit with you today.
Dundippin day 958
I am day 74 and the past three weeks has been tough. I chewed/dipped for 42 years, so reading your word at day 958 helps me along with my quit. Thanks!
Dean, glad my comments helped you. Stay quit my friend.
dean er,
Dundippin speaks the gospel from experience as do I. This place is where you need to be. Stay the course, get involved, reach out, share, exchange digits, create lasting relationships, read, read, read, first hand accounts, save your life and stay quit one day at a time…. Sig45 x243
Good work Dundippin! It’s true you never know when that NIC Devil will show itself. Day 1 or day 1,000. Brothers in quit. Sig
Ive been chewing for 23 years and have been quit 8 days. Funny how once you quit you suddenly become concerned and worried about damage you may have done. I bit the bullet and went to the dentist today (yes saturday) because I have been unable to sleep. He looked at my mouth and said it looks good but had to pull a broken molar that was infected. I am so freakin relieved. NEVER CHEWING AGAIN!
3,650 Days into my quit and I know I am still an addict. After 10 years there are still occasional triggers (hunting, stress, lack of sleep, etc.,) that have next to no power over me because I have learned that Nic would not make any of it better. When you make the decision to quit, tell everyone you interact with (which creates accountability), leverage this site to understand what to expect and get support, and never give up. Thanks to Chewie, Trucker Rick, FL, and all of the others who made 10 years possible! KTC ROCKS!
Chewmonkey, great post! I agree, thank god for the folks who started this site.
Tell Chewie that we miss having the like button underneath comments!
KTC does rock!
Congrats on 10 years. I am on day 266 and am amazed I made it this far but know I have a long way to go. Tonight was tough but every time I have a craving I come to this site and it stops me cold from driving to buy a tin. Stay strong everyone. If I can do it you can too.
CHEWMONKEY,
Well stated and Congrats on 10 years quit. Sig
Hey everyone. I quit in July of 2017. It would be 286 days, but I had a moment of weakness about a month ago and I put in a dip. I was drunk when I did it and I regretted it big time the next day. Thankfully, it didn’t lead to anything more, I didn’t go buy a can or anything. It was the stupidest thing I could have done because now I feel like my symptoms are coming back. Has anyone else experienced this? Quit for a while, put in one stupid dip and those symptoms I had at the beginning of my quit feel like they are coming back. My chest gets super tight, anxiety has been back, weird aches and pains throughout my body etc.. Is this a normal part of the process 9 months into a quit, or could it be because I put in that one dip? Any insight is appreciated!
Yep. This is the Law of Addiction being proven true once again…
“Administration of a drug to an addict will cause reestablishment of chemical dependence upon the addictive substance.”
https://www.killthecan.org/additional-resources/the-law-of-addiction/
Thanks Chewie, I appreciate the insight. I am so mad at myself for putting in that dip. What a waste of 9 months. Now instead of being at 286 days and almost symptom free, I am back to 35 days and a bunch of shitty symptoms
DOUG,
NOW SUCK IT UP, STAY QUIT AND MOVE ON. sig45
I am 3 days into my quit. After the first day my cravings haven’t really been too bad. I’ve just been chewing a lot of gum and beef jerky. I’m 31 and I started chewing when I was 17. I’ve got my mind set on never chewing again. Wish me luck.
There is no luck! Only effort! You got this, we can help!
Keep it up I am with you, day 4 for me after dipping for 30 years nic gum is getting me through now but always craving a dip especially after a meal. But Im gonna fight the fight and not go backwards. Thanks to everyone and their stories it encourages me to stay the course and see this through. Thanks everyone.
I quit 63 days ago. Got a strange painful sore on my gumline right under one of my teeth 5 ish days ago. And a sore/lump on the part of my inner lip that folds against the sore on my gumline. Going to the dentist soon, but anyone ever have anything like this? It’s sort of shaped like a crater I guess
me again, at day 76, still going strong. If anyone is on here freaking out about a sore like I just was, hopefully my experience can calm you a little bit (but get to a dentist asap). The sore I had scared the living hell out of me. I had never seen anything like it, it was a big white crater shaped lump that showed up around day 55. I thought it would heal, but 2 weeks later it was still there. I sat in my room for probably 6 hours one night googling mouth cancer, my life flashing before my eyes. I paced my room and had multiple panic attacks, thinking I had cancer and was going to die because of my stupid habit. I read the story on this site about the guy who went in for a sore that wouldn’t heal, and died of cancer 4 months later. So at the dentist, the doctor didn’t see anything alarming. the sore had gone down by the time my appointment arrived. He did an X-ray and didn’t see anything. Gave me a special mouth gel and rinse for the spot, and scheduled me for a cleaning. Just like that I was at peace again. This may sound weird, but I’m glad I went through that panicky crisis. If I was a mile away from dip before, I’m light years away right now. Seriously guys though, hit the dentist a month into your quit, maybe even once a month for the next few months for a cleaning if possible. itll help you get your oral health back on track, and give you peace of mind that youre not dying.
I am going to say the official day was Sunday April 15th. 4 days down without anything. I have quit before and went back after I thought “ah it’s just 1.” That was 8 years ago. Not this time. I find myself having to tell myself you don’t need it. Getting through the first three days was tough. Now it is getting easy not to but what sucks is the sleeping. I can’t sleep at night and sometimes wake up 3 times or more. Headaches some but you know it will be worth it.
7 days without a dip. Feel great. Have had a few cravings but couldn’t be happier about the choice I made.
Started dipping when I was 18, now 32. After getting up to a tin a day, I think my bank account is the happiest.
I hear that!! In CA a tin of Skoal at 7-11 is $8.77 a tin. Freaking Joke!
Nice job Tim. Better days ahead!!
Same here – 7 days too. Feel great Cravings actually not too bad.
8 days today, this time was easier than the last 20 some times I have tried to quit… I was just done, and I say easier as in I was ready compared to other times, I wasn’t doing it because I wanted to.
im at around 1 month but have dipped for 30 yrs .. still feeling headaches diaay anxiety small pains here and there ,,,, is this normal and how long will it last ?
It gets a little better every day. I chewed for 33-years and I’m on day 441 and still think about it a couple of times a day. About the 7-8month mark you will realize that your beating this nic. You will start feeling better without the chew and it feels great to function without a chew and not panicking because your just about out of chew. Day by day you will beat this. Still miss it but will never chew again.
Day 4 and I feel depressed? In the mud… quit for over 3 years and had the “one” dip….8 months later here I am again…. but Im done for good this time….
Been dipping since 17 or so. Worst habit I ever started, I have rationalized this thing into the ground for decades. I am 37 now and said enough. I wasn’t a heavy dipper until college. My biggest concern is the symptoms of the quit. I was already starting to freak at every bump or lump for the last year and that’s what put me in the quit mode. Docs dismiss as age, as well as common changes due to extended tobacco use.
I have seen both an ent and oral surgeon.
So I have been steady for about 3 maybe 4 weeks. I’m not counting just quitting.
My left side of my throat gets sharp pains, left side of my gut under ribs hurts a little. Probably undiagnosed gastritis (seeing that doc soon). But yesterday my jaw was sore like a cramp when I would chew and I noted a little swelling. The upper right side of the roof of my mouth has a small spot,no bleeding like a ulcer. It’s only been there about 3 days. The swelling is what scares me. It’s not real bad but I notice it and if you rub the left and right at the same time you notice the right is swollen in the cheek over the jawbone.
I swear if I get the big C when I am finally making some solid progress I don’t know what to do. I am honestly freaking out on the inside right now but going through the motions. I see the doc Monday morning to ensure it’s all good. I had X-rays done on my jaw last visit (3 weeks ago) nothing going on they said.
Anyone else ever experience these symptoms? Am I just freaking out over common quit symptoms?
Harv
Don’t get discouraged my brother,those are healing pains. I had swollen lymph nodes and muscle tension on the left side of my neck caused by anxiety for a long time, months.
Stay away from that mudda fookin tobacco.
Any questions ask
Steve no H,
I agree I do think it is just quit pains. I know this stuff is loaded with lord knows what. That’s how you knew it was special 😉 but seriously embalming fluid? Crazy how we convince ourselves that products that contain this are ok. I remember growing a big fat Larry in my lip early on and declaring “something’s gonna kill me”. Had I thought it through I would have added “be careful what you wish for”.
I am staying strong. This is the one. I have 3 months left from 20 years in the service and I swore to myself this isn’t coming with me. I like the mini nicotine lozenges and am using these to kill the cravings but am at the stage of tapering off to a lose mg. I will switch to 2 mg next and do that for about a month. This actually helps a lot. No bad chemicals besides the nicotine but I have tried everything and failed. This seems to be working.
SNH (TRDT),
Very happy to be quit with you today mi amigo. @Sig45 x 243
One year hit few days back. I am forgetting gradually the feel of dip, yo!
First day on KillTheCan. I quit dipping on March 30th, 2018 and the cravings are getting bad. I chewed Grizz Green for 7 years someone please help! I don’t want to use artificial chew
Hey Randy,
We know it is tough but trust me it is worth it. Today is day 677 for me and I am so thankful every day for hanging in there to shake that nasty addiction.
What worked for me to kill cravings was to go running. I run all the time now and not only does it make cravings go away for me, it helped me avoid weight gain with my quit.
We are all in this together.
Day 769 – I chewed a lot of sugarless gum and am so happy to have kicked it. Sty the course and stay strong
Randy… Day 269 for me and it’s still hard to resist the urge to buy a can. But I quit for my kids (6,9,12). FiFi something worth quitting for and lean on it. It’s worth it !
And don’t be discouraged about using the “fake stuff” .It works and helps. But the top of your head will still feel like it’s it’s coming off 🙂 you got this
A few things to keep in mind Randy. We spent years of even decades rewiring our brains to associate nic with pleasure. Every craving you fight off you are destroying one of those connections. Theres no easy way around that but it does get easier as you go. The nicotine is completely out of your system in 3 days so its all psychological now. Most cravings last less than 3 minutes. If you can distract yourself, find something to take your mind off it for just a couple minutes you will be good. One last thing to keep in mind, you suffered through the last couple weeks. How would you really feel if you screwed up and threw that away at this point. A chew might relax you for 5-10 min but within a day you would be right back to using just to get by and not getting a rush off it at all and be starting over at day one. Anyway best of luck Randy. Dont give in, i swear it is worth it. 912 days
Day 100. What a ride!!!!!!!!!!!
Who dat..? who dayer ? No Nic here. wrong number.
To all new quitters. Things are gonna get Stormy but don’t give up, you can do it…Baleevme (oYo)
Day 96 almost there.
Awesome, 99 days now. You did it bro!
I’m at 220 right there with ya
Congrats
I am at day 235 and out of nowhere massive cravings came back. Seriously thought about caving tonight but didn’t. I guess after 20 years of dipping this is my price to pay but damn I thought I had gotten through this. Came to the site to help which it did. Thank you all and stay strong. If I can make it this long anyone can!
I’m on day 585 and the bitch still hits me sometimes I’ll run across an old trigger but it passes thank God.
Day 145 for me and I’ve felt like complete garbage ever since I quit. My sleep is destroyed. My acid reflux has intensified. I have constant lightheadedness. It’s awful
My name is John, and I’m a comfortably recovered nicotine addict. It was not until the second week into my quit that it hit me. Like alcoholism, my addiction was for real. It was then that I awoke to the realization that I am no different than the meth or heroin addict.
The only way to stay quit is to never take another dip, vape, puff, or any other form of nicotine. This site will help you do this.
When you started using nicotine, you gave up your freedom to live without nicotine. This site will help you regain your freedom.
Day 1 of my thousandth (or so it seems) attempt at quitting for good. Been dipping for around 5-6 years (a couple long stretches of being quit). I’m a serial caver and when I cave, I CAVE. I’ve gone ten months without the dirt before I moved from home to pursue a career. But as soon as I moved in to my new place, the loneliness got to me and I caved and haven’t really looked back for 9 months.
But now today is a new day. I will attack each day on its own and I will do whatever I can to make sure I never dip again. I’m very much looking forward to talking with all of you!
take it one day at a time! You got this.
Take small pieces of orange’s peel. It really helpful in overcoming the cravings
Stewyhoo – Day 102 – Quit with all of the quitters whose quits I shat on in the past. And all of the new quitters out here making me look bad for doing it.
Proud of you Stewy. Stay strong. There’s gonna be tough days still but they’ll be fewer.
Well its a CENTURY!! 100 DAYS it is 🙂