I've just been trying to explain to my significant other that it is better that I am using e cigs. That I do plan on eventually stepping down my nicotine to zero. But his concern is that I have been chain vaping for the past few days. He says I am replacing one addiction with another an he is concerned. I tried telling him that I am not ready to give him a time line for this. That I will gradually step down. But it's only been 12 days and this is harder than I expected.
I'd suggest, since you've just gotten started, you set aside worrying about reducing the nicotine for now.
They've found some 4,000 (!) chemicals in cigarette smoke, over 50 of which are known carcinogens. Nicotine is only
one chemical in cigarettes (and other tobacco products). So you've quit 3,999 chemicals already. Maybe that's enough quitting for a while?
No, seriously, you've stopped repeatedly inhaling seriously dangerous chemicals into your lungs. That's a
good thing. If you want to quit nicotine in time, that's fine. Great. But why put so much pressure on yourself? That's a good way to fall back into old habits. Building everything into a giant hill to climb. Meh. Give yourself a break.
He says I am replacing one addiction with another an he is concerned.
I'm sorry but that's... ridiculous. A smoker who can't quit smoking is
already addicted to nicotine. You traded a nicotine addiction for a nicotine addiction? Erm... huh? If you trade something for the exact same thing, has a trade actually happened? I mean, it just don't make no sense.
But his concern is that I have been chain vaping for the past few days.
Why is that a concern? When you smoked, you were getting nicotine. When you vape, you're getting nicotine. Okay. Um... and?
Lissen, the point at this stage of the game is to get the nicotine without the 3,999
other chemicals. Nicotine is not a "health food" of course but it's not what's killing all those smokers. Nicotine in the doses found in cigs and vaping (and such) isn't that harmful. It's definitely
not a cancer causing substance. The problem with smoking (etc) are all the other chemicals you inhale. Cut those out (as you do with vaping) and you have a, oh, less than ideal addiction to a
relatively benign substance. Yeah, it's better to not have become addicted to nicotine in the first place. But, well, too late huh?
What's the worst outcome if you can't ever quit vaping? A "chain vaper" with reduced chances of getting lung cancer and emphysema. A "chain vaper" who lives longer. And has better overall health. And who isn't putting toxic chemicals in the air other people have to breathe.
Is that so bad? Seriously? Would it be? The "worst" outcome is likely a much healthier nicotine addict instead of a nicotine addict with lung cancer? I have, myself, such a strong attachment to nicotine, I doubt I'll ever quit the stuff. I'm just happy to have quit the cancer causing stuff. I may have caused too much damage over the years for my body to fully recover and maybe shortened my life but
at least I've stopped doing the damage over and over and over every freaking day. And I sure feel better. Way better!
Myself, I think "chain vaping" is pretty common at the start. The way this whole nicotine thing works is you got used to having X amount of nicotine circulating in your blood stream. When it fell below some point, you had "nicotine fits". The "urge" to smoke. You didn't go get blood tests to check your nicotine level, you went by what your body "craved" right?
Switching the way you get your nicotine can throw you for a "loop" for a while. Your body still craves some level of nicotine but the way you get the nicotine has changed and your habits have to shift around and adjust to the change. I "chain vaped" like a maniac at first. I think a lot of us do. You're struggling to get to your personal level of nicotine but the way you get the nicotine is different and your habits are all wrong. So your body just yells, "MORE!"
You'll fall into a routine and level off. But it can take some "hit and miss" and trial and error to find what works for you personally.
Come on! You just got started! You already kicked over FIFTY cancer causing chemicals outta your life.
That ain't bad huh?
