Anyone Else?

[Offday]

Addicted to the "Act" of vaping?
Just wondering. I smoked analogs for 35+ years PAD+
Tried quitting "several" times. Longest was about 8 months. And while I really enjoy my nicotine. I feel one of biggest stumbling blocks was, in quitting, I no longer had anything to do. I mean taking a "smoke" break. Keeping my hands occupied. You know...the "ritual" involved in smoking. So there's the "ritual" of vaping. I really enjoy...well vaping of course ...but also playing and messing with all the associated equipment. Does anyone....once they start ...even if they reduce their nice level (I haven't by the way) ever stop completely? I mean is it the ritual that becomes an addiction as well?

 

[sonya818]

Addicted to the "Act" of vaping?
Just wondering. I smoked analogs for 35+ years PAD+
Tried quitting "several" times. Longest was about 8 months. And while I really enjoy my nicotine. I feel one of biggest stumbling blocks was, in quitting, I no longer had anything to do. I mean taking a "smoke" break. Keeping my hands occupied. You know...the "ritual" involved in smoking. So there's the "ritual" of vaping. I really enjoy...well vaping of course ...but also playing and messing with all the associated equipment. Does anyone....once they start ...even if they reduce their nice level (I haven't by the way) ever stop completely? I mean is it the ritual that becomes an addiction as well?

I have found that is why vaping is working so well for me. It satisfies that whole ritual thing. In fact, only a month in, I am realizing that I am going to be one of those people who need to be searching for the "next greatest ____"for it to remain exciting enough for long enough for me to remain cigarette free. In my case that will most likely be juice, since my budget does not allow for the massive pv collection that I desire.

 

[KerryK]

It's a day by day thing for me, some days OCD some days not so much.

 

[Ryedan]

I believe I am addicted to vaping. Not like I was on smokes, but it's still something I do that I'm not sure I could leave easily tomorrow if I chose to. Maybe addiction is too harsh and habit is a better word for this. I know I am not addicted to nicotine any more.

Smoked for 37 years and have now vaped exclusively for almost a year. Weaned myself off nicotine and am perfectly happy there now. You would think I could stop easily and maybe I could, but I have my doubts. In any case I'm currently cutting back on vaping and will probably have a better handle on it in a few months. Doubt I will ever stop completely unless it turns out that it's not as safe as we thought it was. OTOH, if I ever get to the point where I only vape a few ml a week, it probably wouldn't matter anyway.

 

[Abe_Katz]

I for one don't think that I'll ever quit vaping. I happen to enjoy the act of it.

Will I eventually be vaping 0mg juices? I don't know, I don't have plans regarding that. Have people vaped to quit smoking and then quit vaping? Yes. I'm sure there have been people do do such a thing. Would I be one of those people? No. I'd still vape even if I only vaped 0mg juices.

All of that said my main goal for right now is to cut my nic level down to 18mg and then to 12mg if I can without having to chain vape. Beyond that I'm not looking to quit vaping or nicotine. The former I find relaxing, the latter helps with my concentration.

 

[Offday]

Well I would have to say "addiction" would be appropriate terminology. Any "addict" would call it their " habit.
I must say...I really enjoy it...and all the associated gear.
I don't know if I will ever quit. Everyone I truly believe needs a hobby. So maybe "hobbyist" is a better term.....and I also firmly believe "everyone" has at least "ONE" vice.
And if this is mine?.........I can live with that.

 

[Ryedan]

Well I would have to say "addiction" would be appropriate terminology. Any "addict" would call it their " habit

I see a big difference between an addiction and a habit. Addiction is what I had going with smokes. I could avoid smoking for a few hours but cravings got difficult after a while. I think of really difficult addictions as those that involve physical withdrawal symptoms. I sometimes now forget to vape and that is still really weird!

I also frequently have an ice cream in the evening, a couple of beers on the weekend and I get antsy if I don't do a bit of woodworking on the weekends. In my opinion habits are things we do often. Addictions are things we would have a really hard time not to continue doing.

 

[Troy421]

Vapeing has been a lifesaver for me I've try patches,gum,nothing help vapeing did!!!

 

[eratikmind]

I truly enjoy vaping. Gotta love all the toys and gadgets. Best of all . . . No more nasty analogs. I hope to lower the nic levels over time to 0mg. Having said that, I will continue to vape for sometime to come.

 

[volume control]

I have a couple friends who used ecigs for a while then quit all together. Idk i LOVE vaping, i dont want to ever stop =)

 

[skoot]

The ritual thing absolutely helps me. Of course the downside is a reliance on technology. Everything will break sooner or later, that's just life. Analogs are easy, you stop in any gas station and get another pack or lighter. Not so with vaping. While I enjoy the ritual, I don't like the feeling of being reliant on the gadgetry.

Still, it's the best option.

 

[vernhall]

Does anyone....once they start ...even if they reduce their nice level (I haven't by the way) ever stop completely? I mean is it the ritual that becomes an addiction as well?

I think so... That the 'ritual' is what was almost as important to us ex-smokers as the actual act of smoking was... And that 'ritual' carries over in to our vaping experience... If, as I hope I'll be able to do, I'm able to scale down my nic intake over the months 'til I'm down to zero (or nearly so) I'll continue to vape just because the ritual is something that become so ingrained over the years I'm just not going to be able to stop it completely...

And, in all honestly, it's a comforting addiciton, the ritual itself, that is just satisfying... I'm sure there's probably some long psychological term for it, but I have no idea what it is...

 

[michmich]

I was just talking to my DH about this last night. I'm only 8 days analog-free; however for me, the vaping is helping with the "situational anxieties" or "triggers". Morning coffee, after dinner, driving to work, sitting on the patio with a glass of wine, etc. We all know them and have them.

But, I do also see myself having more toys in the near future to play with and more juices to test out, etc. Why not? It's better than the alternative! I'm loving vaping so far and I've only just dipped my toe in the water.

 

[Offday]

Thanks for all the responses. I guess it's not "just" me. I will be the first to admit that I have an addictive personality. I get hooked on something, now I know what your thinking, no it's not like that. My most recent "addiction" was collecting Edwardian and Victorian era spirit flasks. (My faves are James Dixon & Sons) and I'm not a big drinker. I do enjoy a nice single malt. But only occasionally.
Maybe it's an OCD. I don't know, but though I have no reason to buy another mod, I have 9 of them and they all work fine. But I still find myself looking to see what's new. And what's cool. Still "adding " to my collection as it were.
Do I have a problem? Maybe ...but I'm happy. There's a lot worse things I could be doing other than talking to all you wonderful folks here......who share at least this common interest. And watching device reviews on the internet.
At least (for now, until more extended, conclusive tests are done on vaping) except for the nicotine, to which I freely admit I am addicted. Just like my caffeine. ( interesting, they are both "ine's) is far less detrimental to my health.
I will say ....for 'me" its an addiction. Now I'm NOT calling you all addicts. I said for me.
Call it what you will. Habit, Addiction, I believe it's helping me better my life. If you talk to an alcoholic he will be the first to tell you that it's a day to day battle. Because that urge to drink is still in there
As ex smokers we are kinda in the same boat. You have no idea how many times I "quit" once for 8 months after my pulmonary embolism, yeah I almost died. Wasn't the smoking. It was a damn blood clot. And I bet most of you didn't realize "smoking" thickens your blood. I STILL fell back and started smoking ....again.
I have absolutely NO reason to smoke any longer. But it might just be the fact I don't "need" cigarettes. I have a replacement. Vaping. I'd like you to be completely honest with yourselves. I would bet more of you than you'd like to admit. If some major disaster struck.....and you were unable to get to your PV.....(the battery in the one you have with you just died....no power ...can't charge it.) And someone there with you pulls out a pack of smokes .....would you be strong enough to NOT say....hey...mind if I get one of those? For those of you with that kind of willpower ...I applaud you. And sincerely hope your never tested to that extreme.
regardless ....I'm just saying ...for me. I enjoy vaping. And if it's my only real vice. I'm ok with that. Is my PV calling me? Just like those cigarettes did? Maybe ....Probably. And that's just fine. I'm proud I quit smoking. And I'm proud to be a vapor. I've converted a few others too.....
Even if I cut my nic to zero. I think this is something I will definitely continue to do. Some people say I just "cross-addicted" to something else. I'm good with that.

 

[tmcase]

I quit smoking for 5 yrs many years ago. I missed it terribly. Not the nic but the ritual. Although I am now addicted to nic again it doesn't bother me because vaping is safer and I have the enjoyment of having my ritual back. For some it's an addiction and some it's a habit. I think it's both for me. I've reduced my nic somewhat and may reduce it more but I will never stop vaping because I love the ritual of smoking/vaping and I love all the new toys I get in the mail. I'm probably addicted to my mailbox also.

 

[fourthrok]

I think so... That the 'ritual' is what was almost as important to us ex-smokers as the actual act of smoking was... And that 'ritual' carries over in to our vaping experience... If, as I hope I'll be able to do, I'm able to scale down my nic intake over the months 'til I'm down to zero (or nearly so) I'll continue to vape just because the ritual is something that become so ingrained over the years I'm just not going to be able to stop it completely...

And, in all honestly, it's a comforting addiciton, the ritual itself, that is just satisfying... I'm sure there's probably some long psychological term for it, but I have no idea what it is...

This ^^^ I found out some time ago I'm not nearly as "addicted" to nicotine as I thought I was for over 40 years. It's actually that "ritual" thing. The hand to mouth thing. I'm at 3.5mg. nicotine now (worked down gradually from 24mg a year and a half ago) and really don't think nicotine is a "necessity" for me now. But vaping is. If I wasn't vaping...I fear I'd be like so many others who quit smoking and gain huge amounts of weight. If I can't have my vape...it's likely I'd substitute with food. Not good. So I'll vape. And enjoy every minute of it...toys and all!