What To Expect When You Quit Dipping
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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.
Any of y’all’s lips get chapped and bleed after quitting dip that’s what I got going on right now
I don’t think it’s necessarily ’caused by’ your quit, but could definitely be ‘related to’ your quit, if that makes any sense. Chapped / bleeding lips can be caused due to dehydration as well… make sure you’re drinking a ton of water.
I have been maybe need to drink more water just flipped me out a little bit
For sure… I remember being hyper sensitive to any and all changes in my body after I quit.
So true, Chewie, but only strengthened my resolve to remain quit. Been 8 years now and have never looked back. Stay the course, Mark….you got this!
Appreciate it bro
I am 3 days, 22 hours into my quit. So I think that puts me at 94 hours since my last dip. Nicotine addict since I was 17. I’m 39 now. About a half tin/day habit for the past 10 years.
I wouldn’t describe the first 72 hours as pure hell. When I woke up to start day 4 … I definitely felt it a bit more.
Reading these message boards have been helpful for me. I don’t have the luxury of giving up on my quit.
I MUST quit. I have wanted to quit for years (who doesn’t) but I can appreciate that there is an enormous rift between people that are doing this because they “want to” and “have to”. I have been out of work for 2 years and have a job opportunity in front of me that is with a “nicotine free” hospital administrator. Being an unemployed father of two beautiful girls, just barely getting by on his wife’s income is more painful than any withdrawal or detox.
Am I uncomfortable? Yes. Do I want to throw in a dip? Absolutely. Do I want to stop walking around in a sweatsuit all day to expedite clearing the cotinine out of my system? Yep. Am I looking for some sort of assurance that I will feel better in the next two days? Absolutely. DO ANY OF THOSE THINGS MATTER? Not one bit. I need a job and if I have to quit a 20 year habit to get one … bring the pain!!!
Mike – congrats on 4 days of freedom from nicotine. Thanks for sharing your story… good thoughts your way and please know that if there’s anything that we can do to help you along this journey, consider it done. You got this!
Day 23 now of no dip feeling pretty good it’s hit or miss tho tongue burns alot and get dizzy here and there
Congrats Mark – you’re on the right track. That dizziness will remain here and there for a while. Drink lots of water and keep pushing through.
I’m still free of dip. I feel weird posting at this point. I feel like I am monopolizing the message board but I haven’t posted in 7 months and I feel, to a certain degree, the last year and how it’s affected me can be inspiring, because there are a lot of ways I don’t recognize myself and all of them are positive.
I’m coming up on a year now. I don’t know the day. I’ve been going to the gym almost a year, because I put my dipping money towards the gym. Because I go to the gym more I’m not going out to bars or whatever to meet people, because I’ve got friends who want to better themselves at the gym. Because I’m not going out to eat 2-3 times a week I’m saving way more money than I used to. Hopefully this time next year I’m telling you about moving into my first house.
Porn has been a struggle. I go back and forth on which habit is the most important to quit. When I’m good about not consuming porn everything is better. I have more energy. My diet is stricter (I am down over 20 lbs). My work is more satisfying. I negotiate conflict better. However, it’s hard to avoid moments alone. So, this is to say, it almost feels like quitting porn is more important. However, when I have these backslides in other frontiers of my life I know I’m almost a year quit and I can do pretty much anything I put my mind to.
I wish you guys luck on your quits. I’ll be lurking for a while. This is the best decision you guys have ever made.
You’re absolutely NOT monopolizing – post away – that’s why we’re here! Sounds like you’re making several significant positive changes – keep it going!
22 days today with no chew, been chewing Copenhagen long cut and pouches for 15years, I’m 31 years old now, first week and half or 2 was easy, got sick with the flu and stomach bug and also battling diverticulitis so made it easier I believe since was on antibiotics and didn’t really want anything anyway, but last week and this week definitely feel the cravings, especially after eating, im hungry all time it seems like now, I got some jack links jerky chew and it seems to help a lot with wanting that chew feeling in your mouth, determined not pick it up again, come from a small town and everyone I know chews, family and friends
Keep up the great work Ryan – you’re on the path, and believe it or not, people knowing about your quit can be a HUGE benefit!
Are you on our Discord server yet? http://www.killthecan.org/discord – thousands of people posting daily. It’s the best place to get support, questions answered and daily accountability!
March 12th will be 8 years for me. I still can’t believe that I quit sometimes. I rarely get cravings nowadays. It’s very tough, but it can be done. My biggest piece of advice is to keep in contact with other ex chewers.
Amazing – congratulations on 8 years of freedom Andrew!
Quit just before New Years. Had the brain fog something serious for the first several weeks. Went away for a while and it is back with a vengeance. Ugh. Feels like I am stoned all the time.
Welcome to THE FUNK my friend… keep pushing through. It’ll pass.
https://www.killthecan.org/explaining-the-funk-part-1/
https://www.killthecan.org/explaining-the-funk-part-2/
Still feel the same, if not a bit worse. Ready for this to be over with.
Question – are you talking with other folks about your addiction / recovery? You may find it helps… http://www.killthecan.org/discord/
Started chewing at 18. Quit chewing at 41 on new years of 2024. It’s been 52 days. I don’t miss the nicotine but I miss the taste and the feel of it in my lip. Started the process of quiting back in the summer. Stopped buying tobacco and bought black Buffalo. It had nicotine still but no tobacco. Then I ordered the zero nicotine from black Buffalo and started new years day. I been using them. But the last few days man. The cravings of the taste of Grizlzy straight or Redman has been a struggle for sure. Been staying strong. I feel better kinda. But my adhd is in over drive. That’s why I started was to focus on something. Any way. Stay strong. I need support lol
Congrats on 52 days of freedom Darin! You’re off to an amazing start – no need to ever go back now. If you’re looking for more additional REAL TIME support, check out our Discord server at http://www.killthecan.org/discord – thousands of quitters just like you, quitting one day at a time.
Day 5 neck sore and chest tightness feel like sumthink in back or throat this normal
100% normal. Keep fighting… you’re about to turn a corner.
Checking in with you… how you feeling? Starting to get some relief?
Little big Just wonder how long the dizziness an sore throat gone but still next sore little
Hello All, Happy to say that now i have completed 2 years after quitting tobacco. Would like to thank the community and chewie who encouraged during my initial days of quitting. Now i would say i dont have any cravings only. And now become an advisor for people who need help in quitting this shitty addiction. Cheers
My stomach is tight and head is pounding . Seems no end in sight
Pretty typical actually. What day are you on?
Reading these posts.
I think I will sign on for the support.
Im just starting a quit. I chewed in my late 20’s for several years. Then quit for like 15 yrs. Quitting the first time was no big deal compared to this time. Im 53 and its brutal now! I quit 3 years ago, and started the zyn pouches. But got addicted. 2 years ago I attempted to quit zyns. Got thru 70 days! Started again not for cravings but couldnt take the bloating and reflux any longer. Now I have to cause they are brutal to your digestive system.
currently I am down to 3 a day. Im doing good, but concerned about what might await me when Im nicotine free again. Does anyone here have any stomach/digestive advice and for how long might I expect to deal with issues after. Last time like I said, 70 days and no relief in sight.
thanks for any replies.
Bob – you’re down to three ZYN pouches per day? How many were you using? Honestly, in my experience, digestive issues after the initial few days/weeks get FAR better after quitting nicotine.
The last time you attempted to quit, did you begin eating differently / more than you had when you were using? That’s very common and possibly the reason for your issues.
When you’re ready to go nicotine free, head on over to our Discord server – you’ll get more support and accountability than you know what to do with: http://www.killthecan.org/discord/
Have been a dipper for 30 yrs and stopped Friday at 6 pm almost to day 4.i am having a really hard time not buying a can today I quit for 2 yrs then started back on my mother’s passing.went to rehab and stopped alcohol as well I am a mess right now.
Congrats on a great decision to quit (again) Timothy – get onto our Discord server for accountability and help as you walk this path again! http://www.killthecan.org/discord/
Hey everyone,
34 year dipper on day 42.
I’ve quit couple times for a year or two but life happens and get ulked back in. Getting to old for this crap so has to be it.
It is difficult. Have to do it for yourself.
Been reading these posts off and n feel r years. Finally jumping back in.
Good luck to all
John
This might be an odd question but I have no idea who else may know. My husband is on day 1 of his no dip life. He is in prison so there are not really any options that I can think of to help him such as the hard candy thing which is what he really is wanting. Can anyone here think of anything that I can suggest to him that maybe useful. He’s prayin and wanting to sleep but come Monday when he has to go back to work the sleeping isn’t going to be an option.
Hi Margie – there are several fake dip (nicotine free / tobacco free) products that may be good, if you have an opportunity to get him those: http://www.killthecan.org/fakedip/
I’m curious – how is it that he has access to the real thing but not hard candy?
Oh how I wish I could send him fake dip cause I would send him hard candy too but I can’t even send him books!
Tobacco is a HUGE money maker for the prisons. A pack of Newports are $17 and I think a can of dip is $13. Money makes the world go ’round. I’m not sure why they can’t get hard candy maybe they’re afraid someone will choke or there’s not a high enough addiction rate?
This is so helpful, with this knowledge on my day one I will move…. I quit for 3 days then had a dip, now am starting all over again…I noticed acne on my face on the third day, I thought it’s a side effect too.
As I’m sure you know… you’re making it worse when you re-introduce dip / nicotine into your system. If you can get to three days (72 hours) your body is 100% nicotine free. https://www.killthecan.org/additional-resources/the-law-of-addiction/
Keep fighting!
Amazing to read because all these things are me right now
Back in 2018, I quit for a year and a half then gave in in a moment of weakness. I’ve chewed since then, heavily. 10/19/23 was when I decided once again to put the can down for good. I’m on day 5, it’s been tough, but this group is amazing and it’s been a real support system. One day at a time.
Congrats on a great decision to quit Morgan and welcome back! If you haven’t yet, I’d strongly urge you to join our Discord server for daily accountability and support. http://www.killthecan.org/discord/
Good job to face the nic bitch twice. You know you can do it, get it done !
My buddy DDD caved at day 99. He came back an we just celebrated 5 years quit
Jeffj
8-2014
It’s very hard to quit after 35 years
Today marks my 5th year of being tobacco free. 22-Oct-2023
It’s been years since I’ve gone to church, today I went, I looked at the date on the projection slides and it reminded me of my quit. So i came here and posted. I quit with you all one more day and God help us all.
DDD
you stud. You had some ride brother… you started with me and Jayp. You failed, but like the bad ass that you are , you came back and conquered that nasty nic bitch! To me … everyone here should know your story… this guy might have failed once, but he came back… true warrior!!
jeffj
8-2014 quit day
Great Job DDD, way to stay the course. I passed 9 years in July. Seems such a long time ago, but I’ll tell you, I still can remember that 100 day struggle like yesterday. Congratulations to you and I seen Jeff Chimed in too. Great to see you both out here, helping where you can. I don’t pop in as much anymore, but I still wanted to say congrats.
And to all you other BRAVE souls out here that are taking the plunge to quit, stay the course!
They’ll be some tough days, buty battle cry was “This too, shall pass” and it does!!
Take care you all
JP
Quit Date
07/15/2014
Thanks JayP. It’s great to hear from you also. The only one that’s missing is Shiva, I know he is trailing right behind me on his quit. Maybe he’ll pop in when his time comes. Crazy huh? I would have been 9 years quit like you and Jeff, but 5 years is a decent amount of time. I am glad you guys took me back and kept encouraging me during those 100 days, Thank you! The rest of you newbies, keep up the good fight!!!
I have used Copenhagen for most of my 52 years of life. My last dip was Sept 20th and I am really doing pretty well. I miss the habit way more than the tobacco. I have had trouble sleeping and concentrating at work. They have been great and are offering to do anything to help me quit. I will keep you posted, probably.
Congratulations on an awesome start to your quit Jim! It’s wonderful that you’ve got support at your workplace. If you’re looking for more, check out our Discord server where you’ll get more support and accountability than you’ll know what to do with! http://www.killthecan.org/discord/
I’m 51 and samething I’ve been dipping my whole life since 13-14. This is so hard right now
2.5 years quit after chewing for over 16 years. Can a day of grizzly every single day. Just here to tell you guys that it does get easier. The first month or two I felt like I was going to have a heart attack, was convinced I had cancer, and every other bad thing under the sun. All that will pass and you will be better off when you get to the other side. Stay strong fellas!
Thanks for stopping by Dustin and MASSIVE congrats on 2.5 years of freedom!
75 hours in. Holy shit, do I feel awful. I drank coffee for the first time in years and it barely took the edge off. Dipped for 17 years, I knew it wasn’t going to be easy, but I’ll win. The no sleep is what is the worst for me and high anxiety. Everything seems overwhelming
Hey man. It’s the process. Hang in there It’s a fight no lie … remember your long term goal is to be free of the nic bitch I had a few great friends that helped me with my journey. DDD, Shiva, Jayp. We all had the same fight. Do not give up. I had anxiety I didn’t sleep, I was a bit grumpy. Hahah. Each day is a victory.
I will swing by now and then and check your progress.
my wife gave me carrots. For some reason it worked.
jeffj
8-14-2014 quite date
Hey JeffJ, good to hear you’re back in here encouraging the newbies. To tell you the truth, I’d forgotten my quit date until I saw yours posted. On October 22, I’ll be 5 years quit. I remember we all quit at the same time, then I caved in, but i came back and that time, it was permanent. Shiva chimed in the other day, but I have not heard much from JayP, I hope he is doing good. Well, take care. I’ll post in here on my 5th year.
Day 30 for me and by god it’s the first time I’d punch my mom in the face for a dip. Made it this far somehow it got tougher even after a weekend surrounded by smokers and booze not craving one.
Congrats on 30 days of freedom Tim! Did you join our Discord server yet? You don’t have to go this alone!
Day 4 right now for me. Been dipping for 14 years. Quit for 4 months back in 2011 but after basic training I went right back to it. With age brings the reality of how expensive and harmful it really is. Willpower is what I’m relying on. Trying to break the nicotine and the lip fixation habit at the same time. No time like the present!
First off… thank you for your service.
Secondly… congrats on 4 days of FREEDOM! That’s massive. I’d strongly urge you to jump into our Discord server – thousands of people there on a daily basis quitting one day at at time. Support, questions and ACCOUNTABILITY. http://www.killthecan.org/discord – hope to see you there!