Cycles

[hittman]

I thought I would start a new thread to discuss this. Who knows, maybe I am the only one that experiences this. Anyway here it goes. I seem to go thru different cycles of self medication. One cycle will be moderate snus usage along with as much snuff as I can handle and a little vaping and I will seem to make it thru the days ok. The next cycle will be chain snusing, alot of snuff, moderate vaping, and I will still feel dissatisfied. The third cycle is what I am experiencing this week. Moderate snusing, a little snuff, moderate vaping, and I feel pretty decent. I've had just two portions this morning as to where I had been having 3-4 by now and no snuff yet with some vaping. I don't know if I haven't been paying attention or what but this is the first time I remember the third cycle. If only I could stay away from the second one which also includes what feels like minor depression. Who knows maybe I'm just paying too much attention to my addiction or just maybe I'm crazy.

 

[Caesarea]

Mhhh...my trouble is, I can't really remember if I had such cycles when I was a smoker. Probably did, but I'm only gradually beginning to allow myself to stop observing the effects of smokeless/vaping.
It's been a big learning curve plus a new hobby. And then a political and moral issue too. Worrying about supplies is also a hassle that forefronts the habit. I'm trying to let it become part of the ordinary everyday background now.
I expect it will, as we manage to eventually resolve the supply problems of whatever we will be able to obtain, one way or another.
I have every confidence in our resourcefulness. We are a resilient breed.



C.

 

[hittman]

C, I think that either I didn't have cycles as a smoker or just never paid attention. Just lit another cigarette whenever I wanted to. Maybe that would be part of the solution by just getting it down to a somewhat normal routine and not focusing on it so much.

 

[Caesarea]

Well, Hitt, the more firmly I believe that we will either be left in relative peace to do what benefits us, or alternatively that we will manage that anyway, the more I can allow myself to relax and enjoy life. Feeling victimised is no fun, and we must allow ourselves to trust in our power to take care of ourselves, whatever society does, and in our power and our moral right to work steadily at informing and changing society too.

Cocoa time!

See you tomorrow,

C.

 

[The Wiz]

I have two cycles: First is heavy vaping with minor snuff use(as I no longer use snus).Second is moderate vaping with moderate snuff use. I have definatly been leaning towards the first as of late. Vaping was what led me to quit smoking and is still my #1 prefered method of nicotine consumption. My snuff use is going to be put aside in a few weeks due to my insurance increase at work....Thank God I can still use the PV...I'can't afford the higher premiums!

The Wiz!

 

[The Wiz]

Well, Hitt, the more firmly I believe that we will either be left in relative peace to do what benefits us, or alternatively that we will manage that anyway, the more I can allow myself to relax and enjoy life. Feeling victimised is no fun, and we must allow ourselves to trust in our power to take care of ourselves, whatever society does, and in our power and our moral right to work steadily at informing and changing society too.

Cocoa time!

See you tomorrow,

C.

What she said!

The Wiz!

 

[hittman]

I must be hallucinating. I thought I just read that the Wiz was going to stop using snuff.

 

[Skrymr]

I am too much a creature of habit. I always have a snus in when I'm not eating or sleeping, and when the felling hits I snuff (usually a couple times an hour).

 

[hittman]

Gee skrymr I thought I was over doing it when I was chain snusing. Aren't you using mostly 12mg snus? Most of mine are 8 until recently. I do throw in the occasional t bomb. I did get some grov black to try that is 12 and like it quite a bit.

 

[asidrave]

im finally at no more vaping.....8 to 10 pris and portions....mostly los...a day and a few pinches about every hour.

 

[firechick]

I had smoking days where I would forget to have one for a couple hours, and days where I couldn't smoke enough. Now, I vape more than I would smoke, but it's pretty steady. I use anywhere from 4-6 snus a day, and some days I snuff 3 or 4 times, some days not at all. I wish I could predict my day so I didn't have to leave the house loaded with supplies.

 

[hittman]

I totally understand that firechick. I don't carry as much vaping stuff but the snus and snuff make up for it.

 

[Jeremy386]

Why try to even classify it in the terms of a cycle. Seems the more you think about it, the more it changes. I have days, that I don't use the Snus at all, or the snuff, the vaping does the trick, but I don't try to classify it as a cycle when I have a day that I'm taking 4 or 5 portions, and a hit of snuff when ever I'm back in my office.

I used to smoke whenever I felt I needed to, I do the same know with the options that I have at hand.

Just my $.02

Jeremy

 

[hittman]

When I said I was going thru cycles, it wasn't a day at a time. They seem to last at least a week or longer. If it was just a day I don't think I would have taken much notice at all. When day in and day out I can't get that satisfied feeling then I notice after a week and then it ends as quickly as it started. I had a rough week or so and now this week things are much better. I guess more than anything, I was wondering if anyone else experienced this.

 

[The Wiz]

When I said I was going thru cycles, it wasn't a day at a time. They seem to last at least a week or longer. If it was just a day I don't think I would have taken much notice at all. When day in and day out I can't get that satisfied feeling then I notice after a week and then it ends as quickly as it started. I had a rough week or so and now this week things are much better. I guess more than anything, I was wondering if anyone else experienced this.

Hitt.....I think I have been analog "sober" longer than you.....believe me...EVERYONE will go through the "Cycle" at one point in time. Unfortunatly stress can really put you to the test. I just keep looking back at how crappy I used to feel when I smoked...and really appreciate the fact that there was something enjoyable for me that I could use as a substitute....The e-cig more than anything for me!

Other than my snuff use decreased...and my vaping increased...I think I am content at most times!

The Wiz!

 

[TWISTED VICTOR]

Cycles I understand. I medicated with smokes and was very aware of it the last few years. I normally smoked 1 1/2 to 2 packs a day of RYO. That could vary a lot by the day, week or hour. During times of high stress or happy excitement, each time I lit a smoke the scales tipped back to the even mark. Stress, or lack of, is what dictated how long that smoke would keep the scales level. I've come to the conclusion that a cigarette is the only thing that can maintain a close-parameter balance. The quick and massive up-take is what worked best for me and I'm not sure my body will ever be as even (in control) with snus or anything else as it was with smokes, but like Wiz says, I do enjoy the benefits of not smoking. What really works best for me is to space my snus out as long as I can stand it. That allows me to feel the relief of calmness and satisfies the craving. If I get caught up in seeking satisfaction to often, I'll find none no matter how strong the snus or how often I partake.

 

[MoeJoe39]

Cycles I understand. I medicated with smokes and was very aware of it the last few years. I normally smoked 1 1/2 to 2 packs a day of RYO. That could vary a lot by the day, week or hour. During times of high stress or happy excitement, each time I lit a smoke the scales tipped back to the even mark. Stress, or lack of, is what dictated how long that smoke would keep the scales level. I've come to the conclusion that a cigarette is the only thing that can maintain a close-parameter balance. The quick and massive up-take is what worked best for me and I'm not sure my body will ever be as even (in control) with snus or anything else as it was with smokes, but like Wiz says, I do enjoy the benefits of not smoking. What really works best for me is to space my snus out as long as I can stand it. That allows me to feel the relief of calmness and satisfies the craving. If I get caught up in seeking satisfaction to often, I'll find none no matter how strong the snus or how often I partake.

That's a very interesting take on it TV, I think I'll give it a try myself. Letely I've been feeling unsatisfied and usually try to partake more.....but less may be the answer!

MoeJoe

 

[hittman]

TV, I think I might try that. Perhaps that is part of my problem. Maybe I am using too much sometimes and I never get the feeling of going from craving to satisfaction. When I have the bad cycle it seems more like I am crawling in my skin than just having a craving. It is a hard feeling for me to explain but it sounds like you might have experienced this too.

 

[AllCoExPat]

Very interesting observation, TV. I've definitely noticed that I don't get the same "buzz" from snuff or snus that I get from cigs... For me, there's no high or low, just maintenance somewhere in the middle. Of course if that means there are no cravings, that's really about as much as I can hope for, since I can resist anything except temptation.

I may have to try speading my snus out a bit and seeing what the effects are. As it is, I'm popping a portion in every 1.5-2 hours just to hold life on an even keel. I love the scents of the snuffs that I've picked up, but I don't seem to get much more than a very brief "ahhhh" from them. Plus, it's been a treat mostly for home. Being in an "open bay" office, I've been hesitant to sit there shoveling anything up my nose. Seems that it could raise more questions that I have the patience to answer.

 

[hittman]

Allco, I know what you mean about being discreet with snuff. I know a lot of people don't like them but that's why I keep a couple bullets handy at work. Either that or I will take some off the thumbnail when I go to the restroom when I want some. I am sure my boss would freak if he saw me sniffing snuff.