i need tips

[swifthare772]

i have been vaping for 7 years. it’s to the point where i revolve my life around my nicotine addiction. can’t be in the car for too long without hitting it, not on a plane without hitting it, you get the gist. i’ve taken breaks from vaping but i usually always go back to it. it helps me when im feeling stressed or anxious. i also do it when im bored (which is most of the time). i do it first thing in the morning. i do it right after i eat. i do it when i am about to go to sleep. i like the sensation it gives me. i am constantly holding or hitting my vape. the biggest regret i have is taking my first hit. i have tried every trick in the book to stop vaping. chew gum, suck on mints, use nicotine gum or patches, nicotine free vapes. i am seriously worried about my health and so is my family. i feel lost and like a total loser. any recommendations? 

[Sue7450]

Don’t give up. Keep trying I try a year ago and I’m back again because I failed. We can help each other. I firmly believe that. So let’s keep trying

[swifthare772]

thank you 🙂

[Thyme]

Vaping is very addictive! I vaped several years ago in addition to smoking cigarettes. I would vape while driving, planes were excruciating, I would sneak into the bathroom at work to vape, I would vape if I woke up in the middle of the night—you get the idea. I did successfully quit vaping but went back to smoking cigarettes several months later and then was back to that addiction. The thing is, it’s all about the nicotine, which is a highly, highly addictive chemical. So don’t blame yourself. Vape and tobacco companies spend a lot of money figuring out how to make their products as addictive and easy to use as possible. 
Learning, planning, and preparation are key for a successful quit—and you CAN do it. Look for the “tools” section on the Ex site and start by setting a quit date (I think usually recommended to be about 2 weeks in the future to give you time to prepare). Next use the tool to track your use, cravings and urges—it’s really important to understand exactly what situations and emotions trigger cravings for you so you can prepare to beat them. Then plan for what you will do instead of vaping to beat your cravings. Nicotine replacement therapy is very helpful for making withdrawal just a little less miserable but don’t expect it to take away all cravings—you’ll still need to have a plan for how to deal with those. Some things that really helped me early on (and still) were exercising for the feel good endorphins and mood/alertness boost, deep breathing for stress reduction, and finding activities I enjoyed to distract me and keep my mind, hands and mouth busy when I was having a craving. I ate a lot of mints/gum and used an app called Duolingo to learn a new language—it was fun and felt like a game to me and kept me focused on something other than my craving. Drinking a glass of ice water when you are having a craving also really helps believe it or not. We’re rooting for you! Read and post here often—that’s another thing that really helped me.

[YoungAtHeart]

Welcome to our community!

Congratulations on your decision to quit vaping! It's common sense that anything you put in your lungs that isn't clean air can't be good for you! You will need to substitute “vape” or “device” as you do the reading I will recommend. Research suggests nicotine may be as addictive as heroin and cocaine. Because vaping is available to you most anywhere, anytime, I believe it might be more difficult from which to break free than regular tobacco products - but it CAN be done! There is a blog written by one of our success stories that you might find informative: I Quit Smoking and Vaping - EX Community . If you would like to use a quit aid and would like information on the various ones, let me know.

I recommend that you educate yourself on what nicotine does to your body and mind To that end, I suggest Allen Carr's “The Easy Way to Stop Smoking.”  He provides some good information and a new perspective on quitting nicotine.

The idea is to change up your routines so the vaping associations are reduced. Drink your coffee with your OTHER hand in a place different from where you vaped. Maybe switch to tea for a bit. If you always had that first puff with your coffee, try putting your tennies on right out of bed, going for a quick walk, then taking your shower and THEN your coffee! Rearrange the furniture in the areas you used to vape so the view is different. Take a different route when you are out and about so you aren't driving by your vaping supply shop. Take the Daily Pledge each day, Just look for it on the home page. It helps to hold yourself accountable to your quit and the community..

You need to distract yourself through any craves. You can take a bite out of a lemon (yup - rind and all), do a few jumping jacks, go for a brisk walk or march in place, play a computer game. Keep a cold bottle of water with you from which to sip. Don't let that vaping thought rattle around in your brain unchallenged. You will need to be disciplined in the early days to distract yourself when a crave hits. Get busy! Here is a list of things to do instead of vape if you need some fresh ideas:

101 Things to Do Instead of Smoke - EX Community

The conversation in your head in response to the "I want to vape" thought needs to be, "Well, since I have decided not to do that anymore, what shall I do instead for the three minutes this crave will last?" Then DO it. You will need to put some effort into this in the early days, but it gets easier and easier to do.

Stay close to us here and ask questions when you have them and for support when you need it. We will be with you every step of the way!

Nancy

[Barbscloud]

@swifthare772 Welcome to the Ex and congrats on your quit day!

You found a great group of quitters to support you on your journey. It's not to late to educate yourself about nicotine addiction and have a quit plan by identifying tools to use, how to cope with cravings and creating new associations to replace smoking/vaping. It took me 50 years and many attempts to finally get it right. When I found the Ex I learned how to to quit for the first time. This link will get you off on the right track to be successful.

https://www.becomeanex.org/guides/?cid=footer_community_linktobex

We have our favorite quit tools. I used Sour Patch Kids, chewing on straws, playing video games and walking. If you're able, walking is a great way to refocus your thoughts and get an added boost of dopamine needed when eliminating nicotine. And deep breathing exercises will help you get through some tough times.

The habit (or psychological aspect) has more to do with when and where you smoke. After a meal, in your car, when you're happy, when you're sad, etc. That's where creating new associations comes into play. What can you do instead of smoking when you're stressed, having your coffee, going to events, etc.? Be creative! Instead of smoking, go for a walk, take shower, chew on straws, hard candy, call a friend, and come to the Ex and read/post.

Have you chosen to use a quit aid? They can really help with the initial withdrawal symptoms.

Reinforce your quit by joining many of us quitters on the Daily Pledge, It's a great way to stay accountable to yourself and to stay on track one day at a time.

Attitude and preparation are keys to success. Approaching your quit one day at a time helps to alleviate much of the anxiety we experience when we think about quitting. We're here to support you so reach out anytime you need help, want to share your experience, and to support other quitters.
Stay busy and stay close.

Barb

[swifthare772]

thank you so much for your helpful tips!

[CommunityAdmin]

Welcome to the EX Community @swifthare772! My name is Quiana, and I’m part of the EX Team. Congratulations on taking the courageous step to quit! We’re honored to be part of this life-changing journey with you.

First off, you are not a loser. Nicotine addiction is powerful and complicated, and the fact that you’re aware of it, reflecting on its impact, and seeking change shows just how strong and self-aware you are; please show yourself grace during this journey. It’s hard to admit when something has taken over so much of your life, and you’ve already taken an important first step by opening up and being honest about your struggles.

It’s clear that vaping has become deeply ingrained in your routine, not just physically but emotionally as well.  Breaking free might feel overwhelming, but it is possible. You can do this. Sometimes when we look at the how are we doing to get there, it can be overwhelming. Instead, focus on getting through one day, one hour, or even one craving at a time. 

This is a journey, not a straight path. Slip-ups don’t mean failure; they’re opportunities for us to learn what didn’t work and adjust. Be kind to yourself and remember to celebrate small wins along the way. You got this!

Quiana, EX Team

[swifthare772]

thank you so much

[McMoney]

Enough is enough, right @swifthare772 ?! 
take vaping off the table, no more no matter what.  Break free!  
figure out what you’ll do INSTEAD of vaping.  I used Jolly Rancher candies, sudoku puzzles, and brisk walks to distract and delay until I  untethered my life from nicotine addiction.  It takes time and patience practice but it is totally doable.  You can do this.  
You got this!