Smoked cigs till 2020š¬ switched to vape with intentions being short term š still vaping š thought of Zyn but really want to just quit nicotine. Suggestions?
Posted by waywardviking208@reddit | Xennials | View on Reddit | 171 comments
I donāt use drugs or drink but the nicotine gorilla š¦ is still on my back
BigFatSmellyMuffin@reddit
I quit on vacation. Cold turkey for 5 days while doing something active and new everyday. Then, once back home and in my typical routine I bought the fruitiest, most disgusting 0% nicotine vapes I could find. That lasted for about 2 weeks until I stopped those. Haven't looked back since and it's been almost 2 years.
MonsterByDay@reddit
The thing that worked for me, and everyone I know that's actually quit (rather than transitioned), is just to quit. Stop giving yourself outs, and just go cold turkey. There's no painless way to rid yourself of a long term addiction.
The first month will suck, and might take a couple years until you don't want to join every group of smokers you see outside a bar.
But, before too long you'll be done, and never have to worry about it again.
Everyone I personally know that's tried to use an alternate form of nicotine to wean themselves off has either upped their addiction, or strung it along long enough that they wound up relapsing.
waywardviking208@reddit (OP)
I want to smash my vape rn cause deep down I know this is the correct solution. Itās how I quit cigs in 2020. The inner bitch in me went to the vape shop and purchased juice today with half the nicotine Iāve been using last 4 years. My plan is to replace it with 0 mg. I feel patch or zyn would just keep the chemical around so reducing juice to 0 mg is my best solution for right now. Also vaping is Really addictive cause of taste and flavor selection and satisfying clouds I dare say Iām MORE addicted to it than I ever was to cigs
1_niceguy@reddit
Smash it right now because you want to smash it right now. You need nothing else.Ā
Also, keep in mind you have to go out of your way to smoke. You literally do nothing in order to quit. You have to go make money. Get in your car, drive to the store, give you hard earned money, then light it up and throw it away and do it over and over. The alternative is you just do... Nothing. Or anything else.
BigFatSmellyMuffin@reddit
Smash that damn vape into the ground!!!
orangeKaiju@reddit
I recently did this, and it more or less has worked for me so far, I've been completely without nicotine for just over a month now, and tobacco free for 6 months.
I don't know what your current levels are but this was basically how it went for me:
Started with 35mg salt nicotine vape, as that was roughly equivalent to the nicotine levels I was getting from smoking. Was on this for about 2 weeks.
After that bottle, I dropped to 25mg salt nicotine, just because the stores flavors at 35mg kinda sucked.
Sat on 25mg for about 1.5 months, was used to it after about 2 weeks, then gave myself a month.
Store I use has limited selection, so I dropped from 25mg salt nicotine to 6mg freebase nicotine. Again about 2 weeks to really adjust, and then sat at that level for a month so 1.5 months total. This was the hardest drop in terms of nicotine, but I was able to keep the same flavor which helped.
Next I dropped to 3mg freebase, roughly 2 weeks adjustment again, easier this time, and then sat there for a month. So another 1.5 months total.
After that I dropped to 0mg, I had to switch flavors which kinda sucked, but the previous nicotine stage was low enough that it was probably the easiest adjustment period.
So now that I've been on 0mg for just over a month, it's purely habitual, sometimes I even forget about it. I don't take as many puffs either when I do grab it either.
I'm on my second 0mg bottle, the first one lasted me a full month. It's the same size as the 25mg bottles I was buying, and those would only cover me for about 10 days.
Important thing is to commit to the drop in levels, and understand as others have stated it's a mix of addiction and habits, and it will be easier to adjust the habits once you break the addiction.
Healthy_Cheesecake_6@reddit
This! I didnāt read down far enough before commenting. But switching to zero nic is what did it for me, it just hit different and thatās when I was pretty much done.
MonsterByDay@reddit
I think weaning off can probably be successful too - it just prolongs the process.
But, you'll still need a rigid schedule - x mg for the next week, y mg the following week, etc. - and then stick with it no matter how much you want more. Also, be careful that you don't vape more to get the same nicotine. It has the potential to be the equivalent of drinking beer to quit whiskey.
Because - as we all know - you're never going to want less nicotine. Not until you've been nicotine free long enough to rid yourself of the addiction.
I tried (unsuccessfully) limiting the number of cigarettes I was having in one of my many efforts to quit. My problem was that I tended to give myself the benefit of doubt if I was unsure I was how many I'd had. And then I'd also make deals with myself about an extra one tonight, and then one less tomorrow. I never got all the way to 0/day before I found some reason to stop counting.
Good luck though!
Wanting to quit is the first step, the rest is just planning and perseverance.
jbp84@reddit
What you said about alternate forms of nicotine is spot on. My dumbass thought that dipping would be a good way to wean myself off cigarettes. Wellā¦it worked. I donāt smoke cigarettes anymore. Now I go through a can of dip every two days (every day during the summer)
Amonette2012@reddit
Dude, google image search oral cancer please.
joshhupp@reddit
I read once that it's not the nicotine that hooks you. It's the habit. If you're used to lighting up at a bar or for work breaks, etc. you have to change what behavior you pick in those moments to replace.
Purple-Bell-218@reddit
Along with the hand-mouth movement.
Spamberguesa@reddit
This. The only thing that worked for me was Chantix, because it made me not even think about smoking -- the previous three times I'd tried to quit, I could think of nothing else. The only downside was it shot my short-term memory to hell while I was taking it. I still definitely want one when things get stressful, but so far I've never come close to actually relapsing.
buttseason@reddit
The nicotine addiction is definitely the most difficult part, but youāre right that the routine/habit plays a huge part. Leading up to quitting cold turkey, I stopped doing things like going out for my regular breaks at work. That in part reduced my nicotine in take and helped make quitting easier. So sometimes breaking those routines ahead of time can help ease the process.
OG_Antifa@reddit
I think itās subjective.
I donāt have much trouble getting through the physical withdrawal. Itās the habit that fucks me over every time.
MonsterByDay@reddit
I'm sure that plays a role, but the nicotine is also pretty addictive.
But, anecdotally, that seems to be why vaping leads to so many people falling off the wagon. THey've done nothing to address any of the social habits/constructs. They're essentially still "smokers" just with a (potentially) more addictive, less fulfilling product.
timeye13@reddit
When it comes to nicotine addiction and the smoking habit I think there is an element of human psychology at work, which you can invert and use in your favor, if you simply reframe the thing itself: instead of telling yourself and others that youāre āquittingā, try to convince yourself that youāre finished. That time is over. Itās come to end. Your personality and identity are no longer aligned with that activity. Youāre just through. Youāve had your time with it, and itās done.
It works.
Totallynotatworknow@reddit
For me it was realizing that it was not just one habit but actually dozens. Wake up, hop in the car, finish eating, drop a deuce, sex, etc etc etc.
All different rationales that needed to be addressed independently of each other.Ā
Quit something like 15 years ago now and it was one of the smartest decisions Iāve ever made.
schoolisuncool@reddit
Exactly how I had to do it. Tapering down didnāt work. Cold turkey, chewing gum, and I was amazed at how after a month I didnāt even want a cigarette anymore AT ALL. Itās like my addiction just stopped
tinacat933@reddit
I just fold like a wet paper towel when I drink
MonsterByDay@reddit
That was definitely hard for me as well. Avoiding going out with smokers was my "fix". It's less hard if there's not a crowd all going out to smoke. At this point the smell really just grosses me out, so it's not an issue either way.
noronto@reddit
I wish I could understand the struggles people have with smoking. I smoked for about 25 years and stopped in 2019. If you gave me a cigarette today, I would definitely smoke it, but I found the easiest way to stop smoking, is to stop buying them.
MonsterByDay@reddit
I think your social group plays a pretty big role. It would be a lot harder if you're living with smokers, of hanging out with them at bars on the weekends.
Instrument-of-elks@reddit
This is the way.
Muderous_Teapot548@reddit
Came here to say this. Everyone I know who has successfully quit, and stayed off, quit cold turkey. I quit mid-drag. It didn't taste right and that was that. My mom just decided one day to stop, and never picked it back up again. My spouse stopped when he came back from Iraq.
Anyone I know who's tried to wean off has been hit or miss.
thisismyusername1178@reddit
I always tell people the first full year will be hard. You are doing everything again for the first time without cigarettes or even for the first time ever. Make it through the first year and the rest should be smooth sailing.
jabbanobada@reddit
I mostly agree, but for the heavy users, a 1-2 week ween down followed by cold turkey might be better.
sadlilslugger@reddit
This is probably the best way with the least shock to the system. I wasn't heavy but I started at 10 a day and every week shaved off one cig until I was ok with 2 a day for a week then cut it off all together. I will say though, you will only be able to quit if you truly want it. Saying you want to quit and actually wanting to quit are completely different beasts.
IHaveATacoBellSign@reddit
I bought a new car and refused to smoke in it. Quit cold turkey after that. It was the only way I could do it.
lurkslikeamuthafucka@reddit
I'll back this up. Only way to quit is to just quit.
For me, I had to get mentally militant on myself - and long term that is a whole different issue. But bottom line, I had to be tough and not give myself a single inch while being in hell.
It sucks - so bad. And you have to just buckle down and do it. No fucking excuses.
MorningStarsSong@reddit
I have to agree with that.
I quit cold turkey around the beginning of the COVID lockdowns and have not touched a cigarette (oder vape) since. I guess it helped that COVID made me nervous enough, being a respiratory disease and all.
Don't get me wrong, it still wasn't a picnic exactly. After all, I had smoked for 20+ years. And I'm also not exactly famous for my discipline. But somehow I made it work. Over the years, I still occasionally would feel the desire to smoke, especially if I was stressed, but that got less and less over time.
Good luck, OP! Keeping my fingers crossed for you to finally get rid of this habit.
lll_lll_lll@reddit
How much per day? Nicotine replacement therapy is not even recommended for fewer than 10 cigarettes per day average (or vape equivalent).
If itās less than that, just go cold. Nicotine replacement was designed for very heavy smokers.
Bendejo77@reddit
Wellbutrin and a specific date helped me. I was on meds for 2-3 years before I actually quit smoking. Plus, it's a great, mild antidepressant.
I also moved from one state to the next so the combo of meds and change of environment was extremely helpful.
pina_koala@reddit
Not/ever a smoker and I didn't use this book but it seems to work for people who follow it.
Allen Carr's Easy Way to Quit Smoking
cosmoknot@reddit
I read Allen Carr's Easy way to stop smoking. Basically he mind fucks you into not wanting to smoke anymore, i found it quite effective. After that it's just ignoring your cues for a month or 2 until you forget about them
thisismynewnewacct@reddit
I smoked for 18 years, quit mostly cold turkey with the occasional lozenge.
Verbull710@reddit
1-2 pack a day smoker everyday for 10 years.
I realized that the only time I specifically wanted a cigarette was first thing when I woke up and then anytime after I ate. All the rest of the time smoking during the day was just mindless habit.
Tried the patches, hated them, they either felt like they were doing nothing or like I was overdosing on nicotine.
Found the lozenges. When I woke up, popped a lozenge. Every time after I ate, popped a lozenge. Did this ever day for a week, and then decided to wait and see how I felt.
When I got up the next morning, the craving was very minor, barely even annoying. Meal time came and went without issue and I've been off nicotine since.
a_ronious@reddit
CBD cigarettes helped me kick cigs after 20+ years. I rip a lot of joints tho so that prolly helps
Happycat5300@reddit
fwiw I inadvertently quit smoking 15yrs ago when I got prescribed Wellbutrin for depression. It's apparently a common side effect and it does get prescribed off-label for that. To be fair I was never a heavy smoker, more social, but it made cigs taste disgusting and any cravings were gone overnight. No idea if it has the same effect with vaping though.
4score-7@reddit
Speaking of medicationsā¦Iām gonna likely need something to ease my anxiety and depression, as winter starts to do a number on me more and more each year. Now, I live in Florida, so sunny days ease the depression some, but Wellbutrin may be good for my overwhelming anxiety, or so Iām told.
pretenditscherrylube@reddit
Wellbutrin is a stimulant. Itās terrible for unmanaged anxiety.
4score-7@reddit
Oh shit. Better pass on that one. Thank you for the tip!
espressocycle@reddit
Wellbutrin is not a stimulant and is often prescribed to treat anxiety. It might trigger anxiety in some people because everybody is different but it's not one of the more likely side effects according to actual studies.
4score-7@reddit
I was once prescribed it, as well as Paxil at a separate time much earlier in my life. Mixed results, which are measured by me as less anxiety, less rush, less depression.
espressocycle@reddit
It saved my life, no exaggeration, but nothing works for everybody.
Happycat5300@reddit
I would absolutely not call Wellbutrin a stimulant. Definitely doesn't have that effect on me and I deal with anxiety. Every brain is different, so never take a redditor's word for it. Check in with your doctor!
4score-7@reddit
Thatās what Iām trying to avoid: the hassle of scheduling a doctor appointment, insurance co-pay, wait for bill, met the deductible? Meet the conditions that insurance wants? Then pay for a prescription.
Itās not all about money, and people rightfully believe health should take precedence over cost, but letās be real. Time is money to me, just about like money is money. And the healthcare system, in evil partnership with the insurance system, is a failed experiment.
Both of them suck up our time and our finances, and provide little if any day to day support.
Mundane-Ad1879@reddit
I went to one session of smoking cessation class and what they said that as you are trying to quit the goal is just to start breaking the mental habitual habits you associate with cigarettes. So if you normally smoke with coffee, you can still have a smoke but you have to have a whole glass of water to get the taste of coffee out of your mouth before you smoke. If you normally smoke in your car, thatās cool but you have to pull over to the side of the road, get out of the car and smoke. If you normally smoke after sex, you have to get fully dressed go outside with your shoes on and smoke. Basically make it less fun to smoke and break all the habits that go with it and then go cold turkey. Worked for me. I was a pack and a half a day smoker and I have not smoked in 17 years
hyzerKite@reddit
I lowered my nic level vaping to 3mg for a long while, then just said fuck it. Went to zero, and relied on my hatred of the tobacco industry to push me through once my zero juice ran out. It is a tough two weeks, but it is necessary. Did I punch a wall in my horrible detox? Yes. Was I a complete monster? Yes. Did I get through it? yes. It was the hardest thing I have done, I smoked for right at 30 years. Enough is enough, you got to be angry enough to quit. I stopped smoking weed a few years after, and that was hard too, I was an all day every day stoner. Smoking anything is really shortening your good days in life without a CPAP or an oxygen tank. I used to think smoking weed was fine, but it is a lung killer as well. A lot of people believe that you can inhale smoke and as long as it is not tobacco your lungs can take it. Sadly, that is false. I will eat some weed now, when I feel the urge to smoke, but after 4 years I have no desire to smoke tobacco. Anyone can do it, you just have to commit fully. Day by day you will put it behind you. After 4 days nic free it gets easier.
Weirdassmustache@reddit
I switched to smoking black and mild jazz cigarillos. Usually only three a day. After a month I quit cold turkey. The withdrawals were so much lighter compared to American spirits, or any other cigarette really.
RevolutionaryFoot686@reddit
First of all, congratulations! Despite a bit of hysteria surrounding vapes ATM, they are much much much much healthier than smoking so you have four years of no smoking damage under your belt.
You could try cold turkey. It's an option. But I'd suggest decreasing the nicotine content of your vaping over time. Or try nicotine gum. Check out the resources from your country's health department.
TheRedDruidKing@reddit
Just started Chantix and a few days in and my desire to smoke is almost completely gone. I smoke almost reluctantly now. Just started so I canāt vouch for long term but so far itās definitely working. Thereās a long list of side effects on the box but so far nothing, that said talk to your doctor and all that.
TopRedacted@reddit
Did they finally bring chantix back? I just with it a long time ago but started again during covid. I wanted chantix and I was told it's off the market.
Upbeat-Law-4115@reddit
Pharmacist here. Varenicline is available in the US as a non-branded generic from at least a dozen companies. Talk to your prescriber about risk/benefit, contact your insurance about coverage/copay, get an Rx, give your local pharmacy a day or three to order it in, and cross your fingers.
For some folks, itās a miracle drug that makes them easily stop nicotine entirely within 28-56 days. For others, playing with their brain chemistry like that can cause insane dreams, suicidal ideation, and a host of other mildly terrifying things.
TopRedacted@reddit
Is it actually the same? The OG chantix worked for me. The Varenciline didn't do much.
Upbeat-Law-4115@reddit
Legally, yes. Same chemicals, mostly same ingredients. Psychologically, no. You canāt convince someone that A = B once theyāve decided otherwise.
Generic manufacturers must match the original branded drugās strength and dosage form within all the same tolerances, otherwise it is considered a new drug. Only variances can be non-critical excipients such as colorings and fillers and shapes.
Many generic manufacturers simply repackage the brand-name meds after securing a bulk, blanket contract. Why build/revamp your own machinery for a drug when thereās already someone else making it? I donāt know how many times Iāve opened a new-to-market generic bottle and found the exact same brand-name tablets inside - for 1/5th the price. Sigh.
TopRedacted@reddit
I'll have to just try those again. Life was very hectic at the time I was trying to quit.
Great-Ad4472@reddit
Wellbutrin is another option. I was able to quit in one week.
rarselfaire2023@reddit
I found myself contemplating murder while on Chantix, but I didn't smoke.
cmgww@reddit
I tried that when it was first released, and I had terrible reactions to it. Anxiety, panic attacks, vivid dreams, etcā¦ so I quit using it. Less than a year later they had a blackbox warning for basically all of the side effects I experienced. I am predisposed to anxiety, and that medication worsened it.
Thatās just my experience, I know it has worked really well for some people however
North-Director8717@reddit
Lower the nicotine strength of your vape until 0mg weening off completely yet still satisfying the Habit of inhaling smoke.
gnomon_knows@reddit
I quit 15 years ago this way, it was incredibly easy. I mixed my own juice, and just lowered it a tiny bit at a time until I was sucking on nothing but fog juice and my body and brain lost interest. Gum and patches seem like another scam to keep you addicted in comparison.
Seriously, u/waywardviking208 ...listen to these people.
Dont__Grumpy__Stop@reddit
This what I did, it was the only thing that worked. I havenāt smoked a cig since July 2021 and no vape since November of 2021.
Moxie_Stardust@reddit
This is also what I did, then quit vaping as well after maybe another six months. No tobacco for, must be 7-8 years now, no nicotine for 4-5.
silenttd@reddit
Anecdotal, but this really worked for me as well. Smoked for 13 years or so, switched to vaping. Vaped for another 8-9 years and learned to make my own juice. Just started making it with less and less nicotine until I was nicotine-free - then I just stopped
Particular-Train3193@reddit
I started doing this method but ended up quitting at 8mg/ml with no issues.
slywether85@reddit
This is what I did and it was painless. The place I got my juice from mixed their own and would even go <1mg. After about a month at 0mg the desire just vanished.
gwinnsolent@reddit
This is what I came here to say.
Th3_C0bra@reddit
I did this about 8 years ago and it really did the trick.
Philly_3D@reddit
You need to re-evaluate your situation.
The reason that you started smoking to begin with was because it probably looked cool or you want to be part of a group. The situation now is probably completely different if you're not getting the same benefit out of it that you used to you need to re-evaluate the habit. Is this actually giving you what you want?
Sometimes it's just the case of determining whether or not this is really what you want to do anymore because once you have your mind made up, things will change. WHEN IT BECOMES A "MUST" INSTEAD OF A "SHOULD", IT MIGHT BE TOO LATE. MAYBE THE "MUST DO" IS NOW.
But yeah, you just have to stop there is no easy way out.
Healthy_Cheesecake_6@reddit
I decided to switch over to zero nic and HATED IT. Juice is expensive so I just kind of decided to quit. I stopped taking it with me when I left the house, and I quit drinking around the same time so that helped me not reach for it at home as much.
I started smoking cigarettes at 15/16 in 2005/2006 picked up vaping around 2016 then quit nicotine entirely in 2021.
altiuscitiusfortius@reddit
Alan Carrs stop smoking book is pretty effective . Been around for 40 years
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Easy_Way_to_Stop_Smoking
Fort362@reddit
I smoked most of my twenties and on my birthday i stopped in 2014. I vaped until my birthday in 2017 and then threw away everything. I just realized I spent so much on vaping that I might as well have smoked. I threw all of out and just stopped because it was killing me with how much I smoked. Iāve had cigars every now and then but the cost of tobacco and knowing how easily I will get hooked has kept me away from them. I got hooked on the nicotine gum for a while but just had to quit. My only advice is to stick to a reason to quit and have a goal in mind to spend on yourself with the money youāll save.
No_Introduction2103@reddit
Wellbutrin worked wonders
brotherJT@reddit
I also quit smoking in 2020 and now just use nicotine pouches. No tobacco content, nicotine in and of itself is not a carcinogen. It is anti-inflammatory, an appetite suppressant, and considered a nootropic. Long story short, not particularly harmful in terms of long term health, except possible arterial plaque buildup, but evidence that nicotine alone does this is inconclusive, and easily offset by healthy cardio routine. You could do a lot worse than just switching to zyn. Of course quitting outright would be good if thatās what you want for yourself, but like caffeine, in moderation can have more health benefits than disadvantages.
dimmerswtich@reddit
Champix, might be called something else, but in Canada itās Champix.
RemoteCompetition918@reddit
I went from 3 packs a day to living on an ecig but then I dropped the nicotine slowly over 2 years until it was just vape air and then quit entirely. That was in 2013 to 2016 and I've had nothing since
This_Wind_2964@reddit
I used Zyn to break the HABIT of smoking. Ā Then dialed down the Zyn fairly easily. Took me 2 months from start to finish. That was 4 years ago and still good.Ā
starringdeltaburke@reddit
The Easy Way to Stop Smoking by Allen Carr is worth reading, in my opinion. It put the addiction to nicotine into perspective and helped me quit 3+ years ago. Good luck!
BaFungul@reddit
May 17th 2011 was the last cig i smoked. Because of Alan Carr.
normal_nature@reddit
Not a smoker, but his Easy Way to Stop Drinking was what helped me to quit alcohol.
TurbulentPromise4812@reddit
Quick TLDR summary?
eb_farnum26@reddit
It's almost like reading a repetitive mantra about how pointless it is to smoke or be addicted to nicotine. That nicotine literally does nothing for you and dispels all of the reasons for which people think they need to rely on nicotine.
Combatical@reddit
There are studies that show nicotine does do something for you but its certainly not worth the adverse effects.
skryb@reddit
to add to this, the book basically has you make a commitment to yourself that when you finish the book, you are done smoking -- and it gives you multiple outs along the way to not finish the book if you are not ready to quit
it has you give yourself accountability in a very smart way
Brain-Genius-Head@reddit
This is the answer. Going on 7 years I had to put the book down cause I knew i wouldnāt finish the pack I bought if I finished the book first
thisismyusername1178@reddit
I quit about 10 years ago after reading. Still have a folded up paper in my wallet with 100 reasons why smoking/nicotine is terrible. That way im always sitting on 100 reasons to never smoke again. Never did either and I now cannot stand being anywhere near cigarette smoke. Good luck.
banjosalsa@reddit
There are several variations of the "easy" method books. There's an open source "Easy Peasy" method to quit porn based on the same Allen Carr method. That book helped me to quit porn cold turkey after 10+ years of struggle. Can't endorse the method highly enough.
tap2mana_03@reddit
Same. May of 2020 for me
RossTheHuman@reddit
How come I read that book twice and never quit smoking? Is there something I'm missing? I just thought it was poorly written and too repetitive and condescending.
therog08@reddit
Second this. This is how I quit after smoking for 20 years.
smcd789@reddit
That book helped me quit 13 years ago! I still think about some of the things it says.
BohemiaDrinker@reddit
Every person I know who quit it successfully did it cold turkey. I never quit though, so I don't know.
bennnn42@reddit
I quit with the nicotine gum but there is no way to make it easier I think. It sucks but you just have to do it no matter what. It does help to understand what your smoking triggers are then just being aware of that. It DOES get easier with time but that time commitment is lengthy to reach that point.
cloverthewonderkitty@reddit
My husband quit after 22 yrs using the patch. Follow the instructions and stairstep down the dose as directed.
He is 1 yr smoke/nicotine free next month.
Bobo_Baggins_jatj@reddit
I went to On! pouches in 2018 to quit smoking. Iāve been using them most of the time since then. I stopped all nicotine for a while. I really like the Wintergreen flavor but I donāt think itās got a hold on me like smoking did. I just like the taste. Aside from the time I quit, I have no issues stopping if I get sick or something. I got strep in Germany last December and didnāt use any pouches for just over a week. Went back for the flavor. Donāt know if itās a me thing or that brand, but I just donāt feel like theyāre that addictive.
AshDawgBucket@reddit
Quitting my e cigarette was a billion times harder than quitting tobacco cigarettes. I feel you. It SUCKS.
What finally worked for me - the state i lived in at the time (Wisconsin) had a quit smoking hotline. I called and spoke with a counselor who basically asked me all kinds of questions to figure out what night give me the best chance at quitting and staying quit. Based on what hadn't worked in the past, they gave me the nicotine patch in conjunction with a few counseling phone calls...and somehow it was effective. I still don't believe it.
If your state has something similar or if you can find a way to connect with a counselor whose specialty is smoking cessation, I highly recommend it. The truth is there's no one size fits all when it comes to this and the things that work for one person won't work for another. Having a counselor who's trained and knows this and knows the ins and outs of the science behind all of it, will help determine what is going to be most effective for you personally.
Finiouss@reddit
While I don't recommend this approach, I was cured after too many sloppy knights with liquor. Specifically Captain Morgan. I physically grow ill when I even smell most liquor, Pepsi, or cigarettes as they were all heavily combined during my college days.
schoolisuncool@reddit
I quit by attacking gum like it owed me money. It was mostly the oral fixation for me
ManbadFerrara@reddit
Smoked for 20ish years, currently in my third year of flushing money down the toilet on JUUL products. I literally just got back from buying "just one more" pack of vape cartridges after swearing today would be the day I'd finally knock it off. Wish I'd seen this thread 20 minutes ago.
God I hate this.
waywardviking208@reddit (OP)
Happy cake day š light some candles and cheer up. Also Iām really happy with all the replies and suggestions. I admit cold turkey is best like I did with cigs but I love the taste and blowing out the vapor in my vape so much especially during brief moments of stress that it seems harder to throw away than that pack of cigs in 2020. I agree Zyn is not the solution. I was vaping 6mg bought a small 100 ml bottle of 3mg just now. My plan is to replace it with the 0 mg bottle in a few days when I run out.
ManbadFerrara@reddit
Thanks, I apologize for my outburst. Best of luck, it's not impossible.
Transplanted_Cactus@reddit
You sound like me with my Vuse lol. It's just so fucking convenient!
Illustrious_Profile6@reddit
You just got to be willing to suffer for a couple weeks, your body freaking out means you are healing. I quit after being a smoker for 9 years by winning a logical argument with myself while feeling withdrawal.
"Why do I want to buy a pack of smokes right now. To make the feeling of withdrawal go away. You aren't purchasing relief from withdrawal you are purchasing withdrawal, if you just stop buying packs you will stop buying withdrawal extensions.". For some reason that helped me quit permanently.
PinkCupcke007@reddit
I started weaning myself off of nicotine by slowly lowering the nicotine level of the juice I was using. I had a refillable tank. Did that until I was down to 0 mg over the course of a couple years.
When I was getting close to 0 mg I started leaving my vape at home on short trips through the drive through or gas station so I could get used to driving and doing things without it. Then I was leaving it home to go grocery shopping and run errands. It got to the point where I didnāt need it at all. It was a process but it worked for me.
Floopydoopypoopy@reddit
Buproprion worked (so far) to help me quit without withdrawal. It blocks nicotine receptors or something and makes you not really care that you stopped smoking. Ask your doc about it.
Great-Ad4472@reddit
Worked for me too.
averyfinefellow@reddit
Lower the amount of nicotine in your vape gradually until there's none left. That worked for me.
DefJeff702@reddit
I feel ya! I still battle urges today, it never goes away. You just need a catalyst for change to break the chemical addiction, then it's all will power. It sounds like you really want it so you're on the right track.
With vape, you can generally get reduced nicotine content all the way down to zero. This would help wean you off of the chemical while keeping your physical habit until it just feels dumb.
I don't know about zyn, I suppose it would be a healthier way to consume nicotine but it's not going to help with the chemical addiction which is in my opinion the toughest part.
Chantix was pretty amazing. I think I was on it for about 2 or three months. It literally takes the joy out of smoking, you don't get the stimulant and it even tastes bad. The side effects are serious (suicidal thoughts and vivid dreams). But, being mindful and aware of them helps I'm sure.
Once you've settled on an effective method for tackling the chemical addiction, getting some reinforcement helped me. I took up running which just amplified how much healthier I was feeling. I would say any cardio will do, whatever it takes.
You've got this!
waywardviking208@reddit (OP)
Thanks for taking the time for an informative reply! I was at 6mg bought 3mg bottle just a few minutes ago. Plan to replace it with 0 mg next.
wildmancometh@reddit
Donāt talk about it, be about it
Transplanted_Cactus@reddit
I quit smoking in 2020 as well. It was easy because I had the vape. Quitting the vape is 10x harder because there's no social stigma, it's cheaper, I don't have to go outside to do it, it doesn't stink, it's stupidly convenient, etc. Basically aside from still inhaling nicotine, there's no incentive to quit. Vapes have been around for what, like 15 years now, and I've yet to see a reputable study using reputable vape juice that reports any of the same harmful effects as smoking.
My main thing got quitting is saving the $240/month I spent on vape pods (Vuse brand, the only one I've ever liked using and yes I've tried the 50000 different rigs and juice combinations, I've vaped off and on since 2009).
DuskformGreenman@reddit
If you REALLY want to, you will. You CAN do it. It's tough as hell, but you're tougher. I smoked a pack and a half a day for almost 20 years. 4.5 years nic-free. You got this, bud.
nojoblazybum@reddit
Patches is what finally did it for me. To each their own, but cold turkey is just setting yourself up for failure. Most people need something to offset the severe physical addiction.
Ole41@reddit
take part in a lung cancer group meeting. leave as a changed individual ? fear is a great motivator.
seolchan25@reddit
I learned to make my own vape juice then very slowly reduced the nicotine concentration until there was none. I was able to quit completely a few months after that and itās been years now. It wasnāt easy still but that really helped.
-Lt-Jim-Dangle-@reddit
After smoking for 15 years, I decided I didn't want to smoke anymore, so I stopped putting lit cigarettes into my mouth.
That was 10 years ago, and I still want to smoke due to my addiction, but I continue to not put lit cigarettes into my mouth, and I end up avoiding returning to the habit.
Deazul@reddit
I Vaped to quit and ended up vaping for 5 years or so but I got so disgusted by the juice and all the leaking and all the bad flavors and just always being sticky and I quit that with no problem. Just embrace your hatred for the habit.
OpiumPhrogg@reddit
The Easy Way to Quit Smoking is probably as best of a recommendation as you can get!
I am also a fellow (now former) vaper - I have been vaping for probably about 15 years or so.
I started with one of those cheap cig-a-likes, then moved to one of the sharpie batteries with the tanks that had the long cotton wicks, then moved to a Lava Tube , then box mods, RDA's (rebuildable atomizers) , dabbled with making my own eliquid for a while thanks to a friend who gave me all his mixing supplies when his shop got bought out.
I also got into Swedish Snus , and carried a tin of General Swedish Snus with me so I could still get my nicotine fix while at the office, or shopping or other social event where it wasn't convenient to vape. (I stopped snusing about 3 years ago)
About 4 years ago or so , I was down to 3mg Nicotine strength e-liquid - and got tired of having to haul around a 2 battery box mod so I downsized to a 1 battery mod with a tank ( Vapresso Drag-X ) and really enjoyed that, it had a nice small form factor, decent ergonomics, and good enough battery life to get me through the day.
I'd say about a year ago now , I started to get tired of always carrying this vape everywhere so I picked up a disposable to try out taking with on outtings and leave my main rig at home. This worked out okay , but the disposables had a way stronger nicotine level than what I normally used, so I had to be careful and not over-vape like I could with the 3mg.
This past spring - I just decided to stop - I got tired of always having to worry about where my vape was, when I could vape, feeling almost out of sorts or naked without knowing exactly where my 3mg vape was.
So I started to put the vape in ONE Spot, that wasn't super convenient for me to get too, I had to consciously force myself to get up and go to it and use it. Eventually I got tired of doing that and just found myself not even seeking out my vape until about lunch time , then maybe at night a bit while winding down until I just didn't care anymore.
I quit completely for about 2 weeks, then went to a weekend long house warming party which I brought my disposable too as it was going to be my first social function without a vape. Needless to say, I backslid a little and started back vaping for about a month ish after that - But I kept the vape in an inconvenient spot until I just got tired of taking time to go use it. At one point, it just sat there for a few days , and I finally just put it away and never touched it again.
So, step your nicotine down to 3mg strength, put your vape somewhere out of the way that it makes you HAVE TO GET UP and use it. But you have to want to quit, and be conscience about your actions to have that happen.
Good luck.
WildlySkeptical@reddit
After a pack a day for 16 years and about 6 failed attempts at quitting, there were two things that ultimately worked for me.
1) I had to be truly ready to quit. And I had to be doing it for me, not for someone else.
2) I used nicoderm CQ patches.
Have been nicotine free for 12 years now. Still had cravings for probably 4 years after quitting.
You can do it!!!
Few_Introduction_256@reddit
I used lozenges for years before quitting. I dosed down, tried to wait a bit longer each day before using it, and then finally stopped taking them. Still sucked.
CharonNixHydra@reddit
I transitioned from cigarettes to vaping about 10 years ago and over the course of 2 years I slowly (but intentionally) lowered the nicotine content of my vape juice. Eventually I was on a juice with no nicotine and I just stopped altogether.
It was a pretty easy transition but I did it very slowly.
No-Desk5226@reddit
Smoked two to three packs a day for 25 years tried everything nothing worked until I tried one on one hypnosis one time and havenāt smoked in more than five years. I never expected it to work but figured it was worth a try. Feels good to be a Non smoker
khatpewp@reddit
I wish I could give you a quick snapshot of my 71 year old mother's daily life. She was very active, healthy, drug and alcohol free her entire life. Her only vice was Marlboro Reds. Now she's attached to machine. Has to do breathing treatments twice daily with a nebulizer. She can barely even walk because her lungs are so wrecked.
It takes everything in me to not tell her "I told you so".
Sometimes she would literally blow smoke right in my face when I asked her to stop smoking. When my newborn daughter was on her first car ride home from the hospital, mom was going to light up.
And that's just mom. Dad is already seven years in the grave thanks to Marlboro Reds.
dr-victor-von-doom@reddit
The way I quit was to use the patch. The 3 steps will help you to quit. You will still experience withdrawal from the last step, but itās not bad and only lasts a day or so. That being said, Itās 99% mental. Once you got your mind right you will be able to quit.
Always keep an extra box of patches in your car. You will forget at some point to put one on. It will suddenly hit you like a brick when you realize you donāt have it.
RedditGotSoulDoubt@reddit
Cold turkey works best
ConfidentChipmunk007@reddit
Cold turkey, sheer will and determination. Understanding it will suck and be shitty for awhile and your brain will lie to you and give you 1000 reasons why you need to go get some nicotine. You just have to push through it, and you can do it.
OperatorP365@reddit
Way to go on quitting Cigs! I found that mentally you have to be in the right place to quit. Also have you looked into slowly lowering the amount of Nicotine in your vape juice? I don't know about some of the pre-packaged ones, but if you go to a local Vape shop they usually have adjustable Nicotine levels so you can slowly walk yourself down to literally 0 nicotine!
azazel-13@reddit
And how does this relate to being a Xennial? There are subs out there dedicated to the cessation of substances.
Trbochckn@reddit
Smoked in my early 20's. Was able to cold turkey.
For some dumb ass reason I started vaping 7 years ago.
That was so much fuckin harder to quit. I see people vaping today and it drive me nuts. That pull is strong I haven't touched a vape in 2 years. And I still struggle at the register in the convenience store.
No_Replacement228@reddit
I did the last resort scary thing, and that was Chantix, I have been smoke free coming up on two years in a month, with zero desire to ever go back. I was on Chantix fiir like 50 days or so, it was rough.
FaceRidden@reddit
Zyns are great, cut my smoking in halfā¦
TWlSTED_TEA@reddit
Zyns worked for me too. Was a 2 pack a day smoker
FaceRidden@reddit
Heard theyāre bad for soft teeth tho
CaptServo@reddit
I smoked reds for 25 years. Tried quitting literally dozens of times with patch/gum to limited success (weeks to months at a time, then back smoking full time). Finally quit cold turkey a year and a half ago and going strong. My trick was to find something specific and identifiable in my health that was being affected in the here and now and use that as a motivation to quit.
solomons-marbles@reddit
I smoked &/or dipped on & off since I was like 13. Quit a few years before Covid. My unit was sent home early due to a big exposure. Board AF, bought a tin, went to get another and they had On pouches. Tried em, and havenāt stopped. They might be worse. Can use them anywhere and youāre still addicted. Cold turkey works best for me. For the patches or gum, go with the smallest levels, use sparingly; just enough to beat the withdraws and have an end date.
supergooduser@reddit
Born in 78.
I smoked for about 30 years. I haven't smoked in two years. I was just terrified of the three days of withdrawals. Which are real.
Ultimately I just treated it like having the flu.
Thankfully no one in my peer group smokes so there's literally zero friend pressure.
butchcanyon@reddit
Nicotine gum worked for me.
freespiritedgal@reddit
r/QuitVaping
Winwookiee@reddit
Just keep trying. I think i tried to quit at least a dozen times and then it just finally stuck, cold turkey.
Actual-Independent81@reddit
The only thing that worked for me was nicotine gum and then switching to the patch and regular gum. Also, follow the patch's recommended steps.
anon_MrKim@reddit
The best way is just quitting. You have to decide its gross and youāre done with it.
starker@reddit
I donāt think this will help but I stopped going to the place where I smoked. I stopped doing the things that I would do when I smoked. I changed my life around and it worked. 8 years free of smoking.
3_m0nkeys@reddit
I used patches. Old school but they helped a bit. Chantix worked great, but the dreams were just too much.
TumbleDownShaq@reddit
Zyn for the win! Low risk, discreet, gives some room to deescalate.
GiantGingerGobshite@reddit
Kojak method!
Artistic_Chef1571@reddit
No zyns, trust way too many oral health issues
Artistic_Chef1571@reddit
Did em for like 3-4 weeks receding gums different bumps and my gums changed color a but
DarthBster@reddit
I quit back in 2008 using Chantix. They don't use it anymore, but it worked for me. Either cold turkey and fighting through the withdrawal or ask your doc?
psilosophist@reddit
I chewed nicotine gum while on a high dose of mushrooms.
Never felt the desire for it ever again, I was so repulsed.
texas-playdohs@reddit
Just on day 2 of zero nicotine in years. Used patches, plus mini nicotine lozenges. Tapered off those. Started with 4mg then walked off 2mg over the past month or so after the course of patches was done. The vape is tough because you can just do it everywhere. You get really damn strung out on those things.
cmgww@reddit
I am saving this post. I quit smoking on May 31, 2012ā¦. but I am still vaping and using the nicotine lozenges when I canāt vape. I want to be done altogether and Iām really interested in the method a few of you commenters have posted aboutā¦. I think I will give that a try. Maybe I will do what I did with my cigarettes, I quit them but carried around a pack in my travel bag in case of āemergencyāā¦.. it was basically a safety blanket. About a year later I had completely forgotten about them and found them when cleaning the bag out. They were dry and unusable so I just tossed them. I may do the same thing with my vape. Quit it, but keep it buried somewhere just as a safety blanket. It worked with the cigarettes.
I will also mention this. Nicotine gum or lozenges are a much safer option than smoking, obviouslyā¦ the best way is no nicotine whatsoever. But in absence of that, nicotine gum or lozenges help and they are also HSA eligibleā¦.
Ok_Egg_471@reddit
I started cigs at age 9 (I know!!). 41 now. Switched to vape almost a year ago. What Iām doing is gradually decreasing the strength of my vape juice. Eventually hope to get down to zero nicotine vape. Then after that, Iād like to stop completely. But I figure if I do the nicotine-free vape for awhile, itāll help with the hand-to-mouth fixation/habit.
xtopherpaul@reddit
Start smoking weed as a replacement
mcfeezie2@reddit
Yeah. Stop.
Helgafjell4Me@reddit
I tapered down to zero nicotine, just vaping straight VG. After a couple of weeks of that, I was able to quit pretty easily. Still found myself reaching for my vape, but that eventually went away, too.
Similar-Sir-2952@reddit
Cold Turkey and gear yourself up with the biggest longest marathon battle of your life. You vs You. Best of luck hahahaha
Any_Sense_9017@reddit
Semaglutide. Ā You will lose weight too.Ā
Stsberi97@reddit
I smoked for 20 years. Switched to disposable vapes in 2022. I did some math and was consuming the equivalent of 4 packs a day with the vape when I was only a pack and a half a day when I smoked. I quit January first 2023. I switched to 4mg nicotine gum. It taste awful but helps with cravings. Then I stepped down to the 2mg. Then I would mix in regular gum every now and then and eventually switched to regular gum. Nicotine free for almost two years. Itās possible.
Jr5309@reddit
I could not do the meds, really messed with my head. I quit with lozenges 12 years ago.
deowolf@reddit
Concur on both points. The dreams were so bad and my behavior was out of character on the Chantix I happily went back to smoking. I weaned off cigs with the lozenges, and then over a year later weaned off the lozenges with tic tacs. They're roughly the same size and shape as the lozenges I had.
I think the problem with vaping is that you still have the physical habits, which are a big part of what needs to be broken. But then again, I've been known to 'ash' pizza crusts, so
GlitteryFab@reddit
I quit in 2017 using nicotine gum for like a week then cold turkey afterwards. Once I felt I didnāt need the gum I just ditched it. I havenāt smoked a cigarette or used any kind of nicotine since I quit 7 years ago. Every random and rare so often Iāll have cravings but never give in.
thoughtfractals85@reddit
I quit pot, pills, heroin and meth 10 years ago, all cold turkey. I still smoke cigs. It's harder to quit for me than any of the above. I'm thinking of trying a vape without nicotine. I don't think I can ween off with lesser amounts of nicotine, but think the hand to mouth and inhalation thing will be the problem.
spirit_of_a_goat@reddit
I used the patches. Took 3 years, but I've finally quit after being a smoker for 30 years.
Turbulent_Dimensions@reddit
I quit cold turkey
TurbulentPromise4812@reddit
I smoked for a long time and sat there chain smoking whenever I was bored. "Last carton, last pack, last one, I'm not buying anymore, I'll chew gum instead, set a stopwatch and see how long I went without, don't break the record" lol.
I got lucky with one day I saw the pack and felt disgusted and didn't want anymore, almost like passive quitting instead of actively trying.
After that when I did feel like wanting more I would tell myself that I really don't want it and thought about how it would make my chest hurt.
Best of luck you can do it
drhbravos@reddit
I prefer gum to Zyn. Mostly bc you can get 2mg gum. Lowest Zyn is 4mg I think, thatās still a lot of nicotine and hard to step down from imo
46_and_2_just_ahead@reddit
I would highly suggest NOT switching to Zyn. Check out the Quitting Zyn sub.
They are super highly addictive and you can have one in your mouth pretty much all of the time. So your nicotine consumption is likely to increase dramatically.
There is not enough data about long term affects of nicotine salts, because they are so new. You will read tons of people having increased anxiety, increased resting HR, GI problems, elevated cholesterol and a ton of other nasty side effects.
If you need the nicotine, I would try the gum/patch and wean down that way.
Just some advice from a fellow 30 year nicotine user that can attest to love being so much better without it!!
DadNotBro@reddit
2 months vape free hereā¦.i used nicotine patches (free with my health ins btw). Iām now completely box free and patting myself on the back every day.
For contextā¦former heavy smoker(20yrs). Quit cigs in 2018 and switched to vape.
SignificantTension7@reddit
Been in your exact shoes. I used zyn to get away from the inhalation addiction. Once my cravings were for pouches and not cigarettes or vape. I went to Nicorette lozenges. They work if you follow the program. Good luck.
frumpy-frog@reddit
r/stopsmoking