Advice for a long time X-Smoker.

[thisguy]

So here's my Dilemma. I quit everything the 28th of August, 2012. Cigs, vaping, and snus. It's coming up on 6 years with no tobacco/nicotine at all. But even with all that time I get hit with cravings. Sometimes the small ones that pass pretty quickly and some that last hours. Lately it's gotten much worse. The cravings are lasting an entire day causing almost the same type of anxiety that I felt when I first quit.. The last thing I want is to, in a moment of weakness, run to the store and get a pack. If I do, that'll be it.

So, to my questions. Has anyone had a similar experience and gone back to maybe vaping no nic after a long period of being free? If so, what was your experience? Did you end up relapsing? Was this the slippery slope that sent you back to using nic?

My questions for everyone. I've taken a quick peek to see what has changed in the near 6 years since my last vape, and holy crap have things changed! I was pretty lost pretty quick. . If this is something I end up pursuing are there any suggestions for hit it and forget it type devices? Part of the reason I quit all together was the frustration with messing with, and expense, of vape devices. The constant problems with atmos, tanks, charging, leaking and spilling. Just general frustration with the whole thing and I just got tired of it all and managed to quit. Finally. What's a good smooth light cig tasting juice now-a-days?

TLDR: Coming back after years to help with the stress and anxiety? Good idea/bad idea? If I came back, what are some easy to use devices that are small and convenient? What are the better cig tasting juices?

To be clear, I won't need the super large tanks and million hour batts that I used to use. Small and easy to use for just when the monster cravings hit.

Thanks in advance to one of the best communities out there!
Thisguy

 

[englishmick]

My wife quit using Chantix. She was off the cigs for about 6 months when she started getting cravings. She started vaping then. She used zero nic and really only picked it a couple of times a day when she got the itch. That kept her happy for a year.

She ended up vaping nic again after that when we had a family crisis going on and the stress got to her. But if not for that she would probably still be taking the occasional hit of zero nic.

Can't see anything wrong with trying it.

 

[bombastinator]

Nicotine is a powerful very fast acting anti anxiety drug. If you’re having anxiety issues perhaps it’s that you’re having anxiety issues. You could use nicotine which has its issues as an anti anxiety med, or you could go to a doctor and get real ones.

 

[thisguy]

Nicotine is a powerful very fast acting anti anxiety drug. If you’re having anxiety issues perhaps it’s that you’re having anxiety issues. You could use nicotine which has its issues as an anti anxiety med, or you could go to a doctor and get real ones.

I probably should have not used anxiety. I don't have clinical anxiety. This is anxiety caused by the jones to smoke a cigarette. The same type anyone would experience with the withdrawal of quitting or, can and do get, after having stopped for some time.

 

[JanTee]

Try a joyetech batpack. Tiny, easy to change coils. About $30, and so easy I have an arthritic granny happily using it. Decent flavour and vapour too, esp compared to 6 years ago. Uses regular or rechargeable aa batteries so it can gather dust till you need it. Not sure what to recommend for juice, but I suspect if it has no nic it would keep in the freezer indefinitely just fine. I find tobacco flavours are pretty good all around these days, so cross check reviews on any site with YouTube to be sure they are not fake and you should be happy it.

Vape happy and wise to stay away from the coffin nails. Touch one, and in a blink it will be like you never quit.

 

[JCinFLA]

@thisguy - If I were you, I'd get an easy set-up and some eliquid you like...at even just 3mg nic. Nicotine has recently been found to be helpful for those with Parkinson's Disease, for Alzheimer's, and something else I can't remember right now. So, if they're using it now to actually help those with some diseases...I can't see how a minimal amount is bad for someone, especially if it'll prevent that person from going back to smoking!

ETA: In fact, my niece has recently started to try vaping again, to help her quit the smokes. She wanted to try a tobacco flavored eliquid at very low nic this time, because she got the "jitters" from 18mg eliquid she was sold at a local shop the last time she tried vaping. (They told her she absolutely "needed" nic that high to help her quit.) So I made some super simple tobacco flavored eliquid for her...with TFA Western flavoring, at 3mg nic, and a 60VG/40PG ratio. She's loving it, and it's dirt cheap to make it! Maybe something like that would work for you, too.

 

[thisguy]

Try a joyetech batpack. Tiny, easy to change coils. About $30, and so easy I have an arthritic granny happily using it. Decent flavour and vapour too, esp compared to 6 years ago. Uses regular or rechargeable aa batteries so it can gather dust till you need it. Not sure what to recommend for juice, but I suspect if it has no nic it would keep in the freezer indefinitely just fine. I find tobacco flavours are pretty good all around these days, so cross check reviews on any site with YouTube to be sure they are not fake and you should be happy it.

Vape happy and wise to stay away from the coffin nails. Touch one, and in a blink it will be like you never quit.

Thank you for the advice!

 

[thisguy]

@thisguy - If I were you, I'd get an easy set-up and some eliquid you like...at even just 3mg nic. Nicotine has recently been found to be helpful for those with Parkinson's Disease, for Alzheimer's, and something else I can't remember right now. So, if they're using it now to actually help those with some diseases...I can't see how a minimal amount is bad for someone, especially if it'll prevent that person from going back to smoking!

ETA: In fact, my niece has recently started to try vaping again, to help her quit the smokes. She wanted to try a tobacco flavored eliquid at very low nic this time, because she got the "jitters" from 18mg eliquid she was sold at a local shop the last time she tried vaping. (They told her she absolutely "needed" nic that high to help her quit.) So I made some super simple tobacco flavored eliquid for her...with TFA Western flavoring, at 3mg nic, and a 60VG/40PG ratio. She's loving it, and it's dirt cheap to make it! Maybe something like that would work for you, too.

Thank you!

 

[JanTee]

Oh I did remember the juice that I have had many newbies tell me they love... again tobacco does not usually appeal to me these days and taste is subjective. Try the naked 100 line, I have not tried one of their fruity ones that was not bang on their description and they are not artificial tasting to me. They have 3 different tobaccos, including a light one. Maybe get some other opinions online, but they are a quality juice for sure.

 

[gandymarsh]

IMO nicotine is not the evil drug that it's made out to be. Tobacco is very addictive yes but there are thousands of chemicals released by burning tobacco. Add to that the additives tobacco companies add to make it more addicting.

I think nicotine is slightly addictive kinda like caffeine. just my

 

[chellie]

IMO nicotine is not the evil drug that it's made out to be. Tobacco is very addictive yes but there are thousands of chemicals released by burning tobacco. Add to that the additives tobacco companies add to make it more addicting.

I think nicotine is slightly addictive kinda like caffeine. just my

I tend to agree with that. Although I do vape a lot - I can and do go to the store without it, can stay in a non-smoking hotel room and not vape, can sit through a long dinner without going outside to vape and even sit through an all-day training seminar and only vape on lunch break--things I would never do when smoking. Sure, there is some dependency but nothing like the combination of junkand additive stuff in analogs.

 

[chellie]

So here's my Dilemma. I quit everything the 28th of August, 2012. Cigs, Vaping, and snus. It's coming up on 6 years with no tobacco/nicotine at all. But even with all that time I get hit with cravings. Sometimes the small ones that pass pretty quickly and some that last hours. Lately it's gotten much worse. The cravings are lasting an entire day causing almost the same type of anxiety that I felt when I first quit.. The last thing I want is to, in a moment of weakness, run to the store and get a pack. If I do, that'll be it.

So, to my questions. Has anyone had a similar experience and gone back to maybe vaping no nic after a long period of being free? If so, what was your experience? Did you end up relapsing? Was this the slippery slope that sent you back to using nic?

My questions for everyone. I've taken a quick peek to see what has changed in the near 6 years since my last vape, and holy crap have things changed! I was pretty lost pretty quick. . If this is something I end up pursuing are there any suggestions for hit it and forget it type devices? Part of the reason I quit all together was the frustration with messing with, and expense, of vape devices. The constant problems with atmos, tanks, charging, leaking and spilling. Just general frustration with the whole thing and I just got tired of it all and managed to quit. Finally. What's a good smooth light cig tasting juice now-a-days?

TLDR: Coming back after years to help with the stress and anxiety? Good idea/bad idea? If I came back, what are some easy to use devices that are small and convenient? What are the better cig tasting juices?

To be clear, I won't need the super large tanks and million hour batts that I used to use. Small and easy to use for just when the monster cravings hit.

Thanks in advance to one of the best communities out there!
Thisguy

I'm only an armchair psychologist and would venture that the anxiety issues and craving issues possibly may be triggered by something else and it gets you to think about it. Whatever the cause if you feel vaping might quell it why not give it a try. Anything other than analogs - really try not to do that. Since you are not looking for full but a just when you need it kind of thing maybe one of the newer pod devices. I've only tried the myblu - small, portable, gives a decent hit and easy to use. Had I quit when these were available I truly think I would have used them.

You will not have to mess with batteries or tanks. Just charge it via USB and hit when the feeling strikes. I can tell you that the battery stayed charge a long time for me because it only activates when you take a vape. Then you just pop in a pod refill or refill the pod cartridge if you so choose.

Kanger makes one that not too many people talk about. I have even thought about getting one - Kanger UBOAT Starter Kit. For this one you fill with your own liquid. Others have prefilled cartridges that you purchase.

There are some pods that use nic salts. I am still on the fence about that because I am unsure if that creates a stronger addiction. If you are only looking for a here and there type of thing the pods with lower nic or your own juices might work for you.

 

[ilporcupine]

Even if you resort to using a little nicotine, it beats the alternative.
That said, if your craving is for the ACT of smoking/vaping, no nic and a small device like an AIO or refillable pod could be just the thing, rather than mess with batteries, chargers, and the like. There are so many now, though that you will get SO many different recommendations.
If you have a (good)vape shop nearby, this may be a strong case for shopping in person, to go over the plus/minus of each.
edit:Idea: Since it has been so long, and the tech has changed, approach it like a newbie, go to the New members section, and read the posts asking for help with choosing a device. Brother Bob posts LOTS of links to helpful info on that forum. Should be able to get up to speed quickly, as you know the ins and outs already.

 

[DeloresRose]

Things have changed dramatically, and there are loads of easy devices now, tanks that don’t leak, batteries that last, and so on. Pods may work if you can refill with zero or low mg nic as you please, otherwise there are some great little kits available. I’m more dtl where I’m guessing you’re looking for more mtl, so tanks I can’t help with.

But for easy little mods, I have some eleaf isticks and pico, a vaporesso Swag, Tarot nanos, and all of them are durable, inexpensive, and should keep plenty of charge for you.

Also, you might search the sub forums. It may help to see what others use and like or don’t.

 

[thisguy]

Thank you, everyone!