cracked under stress

[dchin91485]

So I was a pack a day smoker and decided to switch to vaping about 2 months ago. It was a fairly smooth transition and was smoke free until today...I've been studying for the CA bar exam the past 2 months and there is just over a week left until the exam. I cracked under the stress and bought some cigs and I am ...... because it wasn't as satisfying as I thought it would be. It taste like .... and for some reason, I don't get as much smoke as I used to. So I plan to smoke and mix in some vaping in between until the test is over.

 

[Kellycat]

Do what you need to to get by, nothing wrong with having an analog in a situation like that. I know I still occasionally crave one when I'm under stress as well, but I just switch to a higher-nic juice to get through it. Not the same, but tastes better, as you found out. And good luck on the bar exam, sounds like you're quite prepared for it..the key is to lower that stress level as best you can, especially pre-test, you don't want to go into it so stressed that you forget everything you studied and freeze up.

 

[dchin91485]

thanks Kellycat. Yea, I am definitely trying to lower the stress level, but it is just so difficult. I think I am fairly confident I will do well since I've studied my ... off past couple of months but the stress is there and it will be there come test day. Have you taken a bar exam? Any last tips on lowering stress? Thanks in advance!

 

[Marius_Kingsley]

So I was a pack a day smoker and decided to switch to vaping about 2 months ago. It was a fairly smooth transition and was smoke free until today...I've been studying for the CA bar exam the past 2 months and there is just over a week left until the exam. I cracked under the stress and bought some cigs and I am ...... because it wasn't as satisfying as I thought it would be. It taste like .... and for some reason, I don't get as much smoke as I used to. So I plan to smoke and mix in some vaping in between until the test is over.

I had the same kind of problem. I was a pack/day smoker, and I got a 60-Day vacate notice (without cause) and was so stressed out that I bought a pack of smokes. It wasn't satisfying at all, and I didn't get nearly as much smoke as I think I was used to. A week later, I still get that "I gotta have a cigarette" feeling. I've had 1 or 2 a day since then, and I still think "this is gross and less than satisfying" each time. Once I run out, I doubt I'll buy another pack so long as no one kicks me out of my home again. But like Kellycat said: Do whta you need to do to get by. Most of us have dealt with stress and frustration by smoking. As long as we don't fall back into the habit, we'll be okay.

 

[Kellycat]

Never taken the bar, thought about law school but I'm so burned out from just getting my A.S. that it'll be a while before I go back. I have taken other exams, in the technical field, and generally I just study and make sure I'm as prepared as I can be, accept that there are going to be things I don't know or don't remember, and when I get in there I just work through the test and answer the stuff I know first, then go back and try to remember the ones I'm unsure about. Makes sure you don't get 'stuck' on a question and waste all your time when you could get more answered and boost your score even if you totally blank on some stuff. Also, a good night's sleep, a higher nicotine content in your morning vape to stave off cravings during the exam itself, all good things to do. Personally I also slam a Guinness half an hour before any major stress situation like that, but that's just me, I can't recommend it!

But like Kellycat said: Do whta you need to do to get by. Most of us have dealt with stress and frustration by smoking. As long as we don't fall back into the habit, we'll be okay.

That's exactly why I smoked for as long as I did, it was a good stress reliever, not so much the smoking itself as the excuse to go out and take a walk, get some fresh air.

 

[The Ocelot]

Vaping isn't going anywhere. You can pick it up again when you feel ready. Trying to quit smoking is very stressful and it doesn't sound like you need it on top of trying to pass the bar. Good luck to you.

 

[The Ocelot]

That's exactly why I smoked for as long as I did, it was a good stress reliever, not so much the smoking itself as the excuse to go out and take a walk, get some fresh air.

That's was how I used to get away from people when I needed a break. Going out to have a cigarette was an acceptable reason to escape. Now when people say, "It's okay, you can vape in here," I run the risk of being rude if I still want to go outside.

 

[Kellycat]

That's was how I used to get away from people when I needed a break. Going out to have a cigarette was an acceptable reason to escape. Now when people say, "It's okay, you can vape in here," I run the risk of being rude if I still want to go outside.

Just say it's force of habit that you still prefer to go outside to vape, or that you don't want to risk bothering someone with the vapor if you're at a party or other place with more than one or two people around, works like a charm!

 

[Dustin Brown]

I'm at just over the 2 month mark myself. The first five weeks or so weren't that bad for me. Other than getting sick the first week. Recently, the last 3 weeks, have been pretty difficult. I have had multiple cravings. After doing hours of online research, some informative most not, I decided to try whole tobacco alkaloid(wta.)
I gotta say that I am extremely impressed. It is expensive, but I will definitely be buying more. It hits more like a smoke than anything I've tried yet. My mind isn't blown or anything but it is satisfying an itch I have had recently that my other juices have been able to take care of. Anyway good luck with your test and your health.
It seems like it would just right for someone trying to transition.

 

[mkbilbo]

So I was a pack a day smoker and decided to switch to vaping about 2 months ago. It was a fairly smooth transition and was smoke free until today...I've been studying for the CA bar exam the past 2 months and there is just over a week left until the exam. I cracked under the stress and bought some cigs and I am ...... because it wasn't as satisfying as I thought it would be. It taste like .... and for some reason, I don't get as much smoke as I used to. So I plan to smoke and mix in some vaping in between until the test is over.

Two months and you slipped? Meh. Yeah, well, surprise, you're human.

You could try to do what I did. Make smoking inconvenient. Don't put all the stuff you used to use around nor nearby. Like we all used to do. You know, ashtray and lighters and pack in easy reach. I stuck mine in a kitchen cabinet. I'd let myself have a cig if I was just going nuts but I had to go get everything outta the cabinet and stay in the kitchen. The vapor stuff was handy and convenient. The cigs weren't. Sometimes I gave in. Sometimes I vaped like a maniac and kept going.

Stress? No surprise there. There actually, really are chemicals in cigs that have psychological effects. That "ah" calming thing you get from them? A lot of that is chemical, not just "in your head" (well, the chemicals race to your head and do the deed there so it is "in your head" but, heh, you know what I mean).

Stress is the thing that makes me want a "real one" these days. So far, so good, but I can't promise I won't crack.

But you're smoking way less right? Good. Keep going. Rome weren't built in a day. Not even two months.

I would say try to avoid making it a habit. Like keeping the cigs and all handy and nearby the way we all did. Like me, I was never without a lighter. I carried two. Always. You know, just in case. Make the vaping easy and convenient, the smoking kind of a hassle.

But, wow, the bar exam? I can't imagine. I'm still trying to get over college "finals week" thirty years later.

 

[Qmclement]

I'm at just over the 2 month mark myself. The first five weeks or so weren't that bad for me. Other than getting sick the first week. Recently, the last 3 weeks, have been pretty difficult. I have had multiple cravings. After doing hours of online research, some informative most not, I decided to try whole tobacco alkaloid(wta.)
I gotta say that I am extremely impressed. It is expensive, but I will definitely be buying more. It hits more like a smoke than anything I've tried yet. My mind isn't blown or anything but it is satisfying an itch I have had recently that my other juices have been able to take care of. Anyway good luck with your test and your health.
It seems like it would just right for someone trying to transition.

What is whole tobacco alkaloid? I'm struggling to switch over - I like them both I've been using a caramel latte because it has a strange resemblance of cigarette flavor. I tried a Kentucky tobacco blend and bought it - got home and thought WTH? It's really bad so I've stuck with the latte, but I don't drink coffee either. I go for two days without a cigarette, but then I convince myself that I'll "just have one" and THEN stop. I've created a vicious cycle, but I haven't tried any favors that actually resemble the taste of a cigarette. Thanks!

 

[Qmclement]

Two months and you slipped? Meh. Yeah, well, surprise, you're human.

You could try to do what I did. Make smoking inconvenient. Don't put all the stuff you used to use around nor nearby. Like we all used to do. You know, ashtray and lighters and pack in easy reach. I stuck mine in a kitchen cabinet. I'd let myself have a cig if I was just going nuts but I had to go get everything outta the cabinet and stay in the kitchen. The vapor stuff was handy and convenient. The cigs weren't. Sometimes I gave in. Sometimes I vaped like a maniac and kept going.

Stress? No surprise there. There actually, really are chemicals in cigs that have psychological effects. That "ah" calming thing you get from them? A lot of that is chemical, not just "in your head" (well, the chemicals race to your head and do the deed there so it is "in your head" but, heh, you know what I mean).

Stress is the thing that makes me want a "real one" these days. So far, so good, but I can't promise I won't crack.

But you're smoking way less right? Good. Keep going. Rome weren't built in a day. Not even two months.

I would say try to avoid making it a habit. Like keeping the cigs and all handy and nearby the way we all did. Like me, I was never without a lighter. I carried two. Always. You know, just in case. Make the vaping easy and convenient, the smoking kind of a hassle.

But, wow, the bar exam? I can't imagine. I'm still trying to get over college "finals week" thirty years later.

I feel much better after reading this post! I've got this crazy cycle going on where I'll go two days without a cigarette and I'm certain I'm missing out... so I'll smoke one. Then I get all bent out of shape because it tastes awful and I have to change my "stop smoking date" to tomorrow. It's only been two weeks, but I haven't gone a day without an actual cigarette in a very long time. Baby steps. Thanks for the info

 

[LeoRex]

Don't stress... quiting smoking is a brutally difficult thing to do. There are so many levels to the habit that its hard to catch them all.. Stress triggers are often the HARDEST to resist. But remember that disappointment though. I know from my personal experience, I switched to vaping and since then, I haven't touched a cigarette.... for me, the smell is what stomped down the desire to smoke again. I mean, after vaping... smelling a lit cigarette now borders on repulsive. I'm a bit taken back with it and think "I used to smell like THAT?"

Now, I specified LIT cigarette.. but the smell of good tobacco... that is something different. I love that spicy sweetness. That is why when I tried my first naturally extracted tobacco juice (which isn't a WTA), I instantly fell in love. I got the smell of a fine tobacco, the unburned smell... and vaping it... it tasted like it smelled! That sold me instantly.

Its been 7 months since I lit my last smoke, and I have zero desire to go back. I still go outside my office for a vape with some friends, and the smell of their cigarettes is just not something I desire to have again.

Heh... I should be a spokesman for NETs.. they are THAT good. Close your eyes and take a whiff and its like standing in a fine tobacco shop... mmm...

 

[Rickajho]

Relax. Breathe. The beauty of switching with e-cigs: there are no rules. Many people can do that "I picked up a PV and never touched a cigarette again..." thing. When I switched I wanted to reach out and hurt those people. I continued to smoke for 90 days and the further I got along the more I disliked smoking. It can be weird at times, holding a cigarette in one hand, a PV in the other, and your brain kinda explodes making a decision. More often than not I decided on the PV.

So you bought some butts. Don't beat yourself up - this isn't the ACS "do it or you are a failure!!!" method. If you are lucky, like many of us cigarettes taste like YARK! really fast when we take up vaping. Have one - you may find out that smoking a cigarette can be it's own worst negative reinforcement. During that 3 month transition every one tasted worse and worse. I shudder at the very thought of smoking one now.

I don't have any suggestions about handling stress - that wasn't a trigger for me when I started vaping. But cravings can be a problem. What worked for me was getting the next higher nic level for craving fits. Early on for me that was first thing in the morning, and late at night for some funny reason. The rest of the day I was fine at my standard nic lvel. I only needed that higher nic booster for about four months. Many people have serious craving problems. And they run in fits, and at regular milestones too. But the frequency and severity of the cravings definitely drops off as you progress.

Don't view what happened as a failure, look at it more as a quit smoking experiment. Cardinal rule? This time around you have permission to play! As long as you are determined to quit you have permission to figure out your own end game.

Best wishes quitting. And with the exam too!

 

[lheamfrg]

What is whole tobacco alkaloid? I'm struggling to switch over - I like them both I've been using a caramel latte because it has a strange resemblance of cigarette flavor. I tried a Kentucky tobacco blend and bought it - got home and thought WTH? It's really bad so I've stuck with the latte, but I don't drink coffee either. I go for two days without a cigarette, but then I convince myself that I'll "just have one" and THEN stop. I've created a vicious cycle, but I haven't tried any favors that actually resemble the taste of a cigarette. Thanks!

I found the juice journey difficult. I kept trying different flavours until I cracked it and diy'd a vanilla custard becasue I was getting a lot of juices I simply couldn't stand. This took me three months or so of experimentation to get to that point, so keep the one that you like on hand and try some others around it.

and OP, good luck with everything mate, do what works for you and don't feel guilty about slipping a bit. Probably happens to most of us at some time

 

[Ebred]

Don't feel discouraged. For four months I've quit smoking from 1.5 packs a day. I've smoked 2 analogs during that time. Last week was the second one that I have had. I was a little disappointed that I bummed one and it served as a good reminder of one of the reasons I quit. It tastes horrid. If the analog tastes good still get a few nice sweet juices and remind yourself an analog will never taste that good. As time passes the analogs will taste worse and worse and the cravings die down.
good luck with the exams.

 

[Tache]

Just realized you were talking about California (CA) legal bar exam, not Chartered Accountant (CA - Canadian CPA) exam - thought calling the final the bar a little odd (lol), but immediately felt empathy for what you were going through. The advice still holds though, so here you go.

Hey,

Fellow accountant here. I'm Canadian so the professional association is different, but here is the best advice I can give you to pass your cumulative exams.

Do whatever it takes to get a good sleep the night before. Eat as healthily as possible the day before and the day of. Take your vitamins and stay hydrated. If you feel you need to smoke analogs - do it, and worry about going back to vaping after your exams are done. Remember to breathe. It sounds like you've worked the practice exams, so you know the pattern they are looking for. "Pick the daisies". What I mean by that is, as you go through the exam when you hit questions you know cold - dash them off quickly. Don't waste time on questions that are puzzling to you, get all the known ones out of the way first, then crunch through the others. Even if you are not sure how to attack those ones, just use your logic and state your assumptions . Marks are allocated for the process, so even if you blow a calculation - showing a logical approach will still garner marks.

Don't second guess yourself, trust that your instincts are right.

Once you are done, then you can focus on getting your smoking/vaping on track.

Best of luck!

 

[alisa1970]

I had the same kind of problem. I was a pack/day smoker, and I got a 60-Day vacate notice (without cause) and was so stressed out that I bought a pack of smokes. It wasn't satisfying at all, and I didn't get nearly as much smoke as I think I was used to. A week later, I still get that "I gotta have a cigarette" feeling. I've had 1 or 2 a day since then, and I still think "this is gross and less than satisfying" each time. Once I run out, I doubt I'll buy another pack so long as no one kicks me out of my home again. But like Kellycat said: Do whta you need to do to get by. Most of us have dealt with stress and frustration by smoking. As long as we don't fall back into the habit, we'll be okay.

This is exactly what happened to me about 30 days into vaping. It's reflected in my sig.

Quit within 24 hours, and was happily smoke free for a month. Several issues came up all at once and I said F IT I'm smoking. Had 10 in 2 days (but was still vaping too), bought a new pack then smoked 1-2 a day until that pack was gone. Just decided not to buy any more, and this time around it's been much easier, and have even had some things come up that would have definitely triggered a "gotta have one" moment before and had no problem not smoking.

@ the OP, hang in there--it's about the ones you don't smoke, not the ones you do. You'll get back on track when you're ready so don't be too hard on yourself.

 

[glowplug]

Ditto on all the good, supportive advice. Life is not an endurance contest and quitting is one of the hardest things you will ever do. You are awesome for making it this far in your journey. It is a process and, IMO, you are a winner on this journey. Failure is only for the person who gives up. You do not sound like a "giver upper" (almost said "quitter" but in this context, a quitter is a GOOD thing).

Best of luck with the exam and your vaping. You will do this. You will pass the bar, you will vape instead of smoke. I have spoken.

 

[Beerbrah]

Dont worry about it too much. I screwed up the first few times I tried to transition from smoking to vaping. I would go 2-3 days easy without smoking, but then I would go out on the weekends and crave a cig. Like you said, it tasted like crap and I don't know why, but I barely got any smoke from cigs (maybe cause we are used to massive clouds from vaping).

Anyway I was about 1.5 months in and had no intention of ever smoking a cigarette again, but my buddies were smoking when we were at a bar and I had one. Next day I just thought about how gross it was and went straight back to vaping.

It will get easier, and vaping truly is way more enjoyable.