Damn, this is hard.

[Hotwire]

Been vaping since dec 21st and still smoke as well.

Am realising that you really need will power as well as all the right kit and good tasting juices etc.

Great juices really are the key but there is still something else needed - The will to not smoke cigaretttes ever again.

That is finally dawning on me. I need to really decide to quit smoking rather than my original desire for an alternative cigarette.

I think I need to get back into yoga again as when I get fit from that, I feel a lot less need to smoke and even find the idea repugnant.

But I always trip up when with one of my best friends who I go to the track with and drink with, who smokes 2 packs a day. I simply cannot be in a gambling / and or drinking situation and not want to smoke.

But here's the rub.

I have no girlfirend (when I do, I feel the need to smoke less.)

I live in a single apartment and as I live in a small town in Korea.

I have a pretty empty life outside of work and watching movies at home and the only social interaction I get is hanging out with my best friends here and one of whom I mentioned is a smoker and someone I drink and gamble with and I don't see myself not haning out with him and I would have to do that as when we do hang we will gamble and drink...

Outside of that the only other interaction I get most weekends is going to foriegner bars to hang with other expats and of course in a bar one fills the time with drinking and of course I find it near impossible to not smoke when drinking as that is really a time that vaping just doesn't work for me.

And if I am out in a bar and don't drink or smoke I just get bored with the crappy music and boring smalltalk and would have to just go home after an hour if I were to not drink or smoke. Then that puts me back to being alone at home with only myself for company and I drink and have a few smokes to relax and sleep better due to the boredom / isolation.

I suffer from insomnia from time to time also, so a few drinks and some smokes helps me get off to sleep on those nights when that ..... decides to come visit. Otherwise I might no sleep for whole nights, so I have to have 3 - 4 beers and 3 - 4 cigs and then I sleep. Wake up feelign mildly crappy but it is better than no sleep and i have tried all the meds and therapy etc for insomnia and none of it works.

Until I go back to the UK my only option is to hang with non smoking friends only, not go to bars or the track or casino and live a kind of very dull life. Have done this before and I get healthy and save more money, but then I get a build up of frustration after a while and then go nuts and go on a bender....

Then when I get back to the uk I plan to live off of my savings and write all day long and work pt in the evenings. Having so much freedom.... well you all know the score there, at a desk by myself all day, no commitments... will be very hard not to smoke at all. Perhaps that will be easier actually as I will be fulfulling myself and entertaining myself with my writing, doing what I truly want to be doing with my life finally and going for walks for breaks etc and researching.... At the moment I only smoke in the evenings alone at home and at weekends when out socialising - literally no other time and wouldn't dream of ever wanting smoke breaks during the workday - yuck, I never get the urge, it's just the lonesome evenings and the weekends in bars or at the track.

But I feel I really am a person who cannot go out socially for more than an hour and not have a drink and a smoke to relive the social boredom / pressure etc, especially when half the people around me are doing the same thing... I'm just the kind of person that finds it hard to really be interested in people and what they talk about (bar a few close friends with the same dark, dry humor) or even see the point in doing it if there isn't an activity involved (a poker game - but then I want to smoke more lol) or a woman i want to chat up and that is a rare find over here....

I'm hoping when I fianally start writing that will change as I will be more interested on life and of course will thus be more interesting myself and have more to talk about. And the sleep wont matter as much as I will be able to completely work and sleep my own hours with no full time job in the picture. But the freedom I'll have might call for even more self control lol as I could get drunk anytime i wanted....

Well when I visualise that time (end of this year) I feel I will be happier and more fulfilled and more capable of having fulfilling relationships and controling myself and letting myself live how I want, which would include being healthier, so it might be easier as I will feel stronger.

But in the meantime the boredom, isolation and socialising that only includes bars or the track - what the heck can I do, bar be a lonely insomniac who never goes out...?

Perhaps for all of us it is finding the perfect time and perfect situation.

Just wanted to get that out there for some reason.

 

[XDoctor]

I understand how you feel, I was in the same place about six months ago. Everyone I know smokes. I found that if I took that electronic cigarette with me, and smoked it instead of every other cigarette, I was ok. After a few weeks, I'd use the electronic two out of three times. Then I cut back again, and again until I was just smoking a real cigarette when I got up in the morning. I found every step to be easy except that last morning cigarette. Took a few days before I was ok without it.

Take your ecig to the bar and the track. Don't be ashamed of it, that thing will give you your lungs back and let you do Yoga if you want to again. If it really bothers you, tell people you do it for everyone around you, because its not dangerous for them.

But yeah, eventually a little will power comes in to it. You're making a lot of excuses here as to why you can't do it. Maybe it would be worth your time to write down all the reasons you want to do it, and read through it every morning.

 

[Aaeli]

Yes, you have to avoid certain trigger situations for awhile but soon they won't be triggers anymore. We had a huge family gathering about 2 weeks after I had completely gone to vaping and I didn't think I could do it. Most of my family smokes. I stuck with it though and made it through. I was rewarded by both my parents quitting smoking as well! My Mom had a easy time of it, it took my Dad longer to get used to it but he told me yesterday he hasn't had a smoke in over 3 weeks!

You can do this! It's nothing to be embarrassed about and you'd be surprised how many people think it's the coolest little gadget yet.

 

[AttyPops]

Think of it positively: Every cig you avoid is a win. Don't beat yourself up and set goals that are not working out. Just take it a vape at a time. You'll probably switch over to 100% vaping when it is the right time and situation for you. That may be next week, next month, next year. Think of it as having options, not either/or.

 

[FreakyStylie]

To me, the big question is "have you reduced the amount you smoke?" If the answer is yes, then I say congratulations! You are a success. Next step? Take it when you're ready. There are too many pressures in this world, don't add any more to yourself. You don't have to quit today, just have one less. Vape in it's place, then worry about tomorrow when tomorrow comes.

 

[Hotwire]

I hear what you guys are saying, but vaping in the situations when I smoke doesn't work for me for two reasons below (and believe me I've tried it as well as the things you mention, like altertnating, cutting back etc and I am in no way embarrased or ashamed and all my friends and famil when i went back to uk for xmas thought it was cool as hell.)

1. The insomnia. Vape makes it worse. Some nights unless I want to lie in bed awake and frustrated until I have to get up for work - all I can do is have 3 beers and a few smokes.

2. I have realised I really only need to smoke when I drink and the sad fact is that when I drink even one or two light beers, vapor just doesn't do the job, it just doesn't. And I cannot be in a social situation like a party or bar or club and not drink and smoke or I just get bored and frustrated. Was at my sister's new year party with my folks and if I hadn't have put the pv down and had soem drinks and smokes, I would've just sat bored on the sofa alone all night. Smoking and getting a buzz on fills out the down time between conversations etc for me and i am not a natural 'life of the party' type of person.

In regards to the second point I WILL try harder and I will have by next weekend some new yummy (hopefully) juices in as i am bored of my old ones and will be going to the track and maybe out for a few light drinks with another friend that weekend, so I will try resolutely to not have a single smoke all weekend and vape instead. But number 1 still might come into play and then i literally MUST have a few beers and smokes or literally lie awake forever.

Like I said once I start my new lifestyle at the end of they year I really think number 1 wont be as much of an issue and nor will number 2 as I will hopefully be happier and more fulfilled to finally be doing exactly what I want with my life and will have a lifestyle that fits my character rather than trying to change my character to fit a lifestyle I don't enjoy as I have for years, so less need to go to bars and stay out all night out of lonliness or boredom etc. Only this past weekend I decided as an experiment at the bar to not get drunk as much as usual and just observe and when everyone else started falling over, getitng aggressive, rolling around and stumbling and falling into taxis - I realised how pointless the whole activity is. We / they all just need something more fulfilling to do with our time than spend 100 dollars a night poisoning ourselves and feeling crap for a day or two afterwards because bar filling in the time - what else does it provide?

So okay guys, new plan to try out this weekend is -

Just try to relly on drink less to have a good time socially and keep the pv as emergency back up (tho if not drinking much and if I just leave situation before gets boring - wont need the pv) and just kind of let myself learn that an hour or two of socialising may be just as good or perhaps better than an exhausting all night and hangover inducing drink & smoke fest. Perhaps just learn that I wont be missing out on anything

Like I say, for me I really need something outisde of the 9-5 experience to fulfill me, always have and when I leave korea this year I will finally be on that path.

Until then, guess just try to avoid smoking and heavy drinking as much as I can and TRY to enjoy vaping more when in those situations.

 

[Hotwire]

I really haven't cut down that much as like I said, I mainly smoke when I drink or when I can't sleep and in both of those situations vape is no better than fresh air to me no matter how tasty or what the nic level is.

I'm prety sure that if and when I do quit smoking I wont bother vaping - don't see the point.

The question is (re my 1 and 2 scenarios) can vaping in scenario 2 - help the transition.... I will try and I realise fully that the key will be learning to enjoy myself drinking less and learning when to call it a night and just accept that I can't have everything my way and if I go home earlier than everyone else and alone - so what? That will cut my cig intake down a lot.

Thanks for the replies guys, this is helping me sort through the subject in my mind and clarify and separate the important and useful thoughts from the chaff.

Anyone else having the same issues or simmilar - feel free to join the thread, my home is your's.

 

[donnah]

it took me about 3 months of vaping and smoking.. but then, with no will power at all I finally got to where I didn't want the reg cig anymore.. I wanted to vape so I did.. now I can't stand the smell of someone who smokes! Good luck to you

 

[AlbertaClipper]

It sounds to me like you may just be bored stiff! Ask the expats what there is to do around there, and be persistent. Even in Saudi Arabia, where my husband works, there is stuff to do besides huddle together and have smokes and some contraband drinks. Even if it's just a regular swimming meet or cycling, etc. (sounds like you're somewhat inclined to be a little active) I think that could be just the kind of get-together you may be needing. My husband likes to go camping.

It may address your sleeplessness, as well, if you got yourself a bit of a workout. I think in a setup like that, the smoking would dwindle quite rapidly.

Just my and I hope you can find that balance.

Cheers!

 

[Hotwire]

It sounds to me like you may just be bored stiff! Ask the expats what there is to do around there, and be persistent. Even in Saudi Arabia, where my husband works, there is stuff to do besides huddle together and have smokes and some contraband drinks. Even if it's just a regular swimming meet or cycling, etc. (sounds like you're somewhat inclined to be a little active) I think that could be just the kind of get-together you may be needing. My husband likes to go camping.

It may address your sleeplessness, as well, if you got yourself a bit of a workout. I think in a setup like that, the smoking would dwindle quite rapidly.

Just my and I hope you can find that balance.

Cheers!

Have been here for 6 years so already know and have done all there is to do. Nothing new for me to experience in life anymore until end of this year when I start my own life just as I want it for the first time ever (and until the money runs out.)

Hiking, swimming, cycling, bores me. Good clean fun has never really been that fun for me, is okay once in a while though and I like a nice hike once a month or so.

Nothing except beer and cigs works for the insomnia when it comes to stay. Have tried anything anyone on this forum could ever dream up or suggest and none of it works, exercise in particular makes it worse....

Still I can cut back on the weekend smoking if I really try to just cut the drinking to a minimum.

I think re - trying to make the vape work in those situations - that flavor cycling will be key so I don't get bored of them, as I am bored sick with my menthol and tobaccos now. Have cherry, coffee, ry4 and desert ship coming this week, so might help...

 

[AlbertaClipper]

Okee....good luck.

 

[Aaeli]

I'm logged in and replying at 2:29 mine time. I ABSOLUTELY understand insomnia. It is a terrible beast and I would be extremely hesitant to let go of something that may be helping. I even used to drink a bit at night to help some. Now I have a medication that I can take around 8 and I'm asleep by 11 (unless it's a weekend night and I'm gaming LOL, thanks presidents for giving me an extra day). It's hit and miss with meds and takes some dedication and patience waiting on a doctor to find what is going to work for you.

I also had issues with vaping and sleep. Yes, I was tired but it was like my brain was still ready to go. I kept waking up and not really getting to sleep all the way. I started turning down the nicotine around 6 and it worked like a charm (18mg during the day, 9mg after 6 pm).

It sucks when something so natural is such a struggle, I hope you can find something that works for you. It sucks being wired all night and exhausted all day, I hated it.

 

[mergryphon]

1. The insomnia. Vape makes it worse. Some nights unless I want to lie in bed awake and frustrated until I have to get up for work - all I can do is have 3 beers and a few smokes.

I had this problem too, too much Nicotine I think. I switched to vaping a low mg before bed. Nhaler's awesome 8mg sleepy time green tea, or well, anything lower nic might be the ticket.

 

[Hotwire]

The insomnia happens if I vape or not and have had it on and off for years before I even knew what vaping was. And when it does hit; drink is all that works. I have tried every medication or herbal supliment or meditation etc out there to the point of once doing a hardcore hr long olympic weights workout and then an hour run, get home and take 5mg xanax / 5mg buspar and 2 whole ambien pils cocktail the doc had me on and still didn't sleep...

Anyhow my sleep is better than in those days, but still about once or twice a week I literally have to get drunk on 3 - 4 cans of bud (I'm a lightwiegt luckilly and in the 2 years I've been using booze to combat the insomnia my tolerance is still the same) washed down with a ciggy per each can and I sleep for about 6 - 7 hours, not the best sleep but better than none. It is the only thing that has ever consistantly worked and it works every single time literally without fail. And if I try one without the other (cigs without booze or vice versa) it doesn't work.

And yeah I find even 11mg vaping makes it worse, so have ordered some 6mg juices for the evenings.

Ah well....

 

[haft2doit]

Smoking was always triggered by boredom for me as well. If I'm busy enough cigarettes don't cross my mind. Social situations were as well. The smoking is sort of an acceptable means to cover awkward silence, or fill time. Something to do rather than nothing. Drinking was the hardest indeed. It took me 6 months to not even think about cigs out at the bar. Don't know when it happened but the urge just drifted away. You can't force this to happen. The more you force it just the more you think about it. Don't expect anything just let it happen. A year from now you'll look back wondering why it was a problem. Been vaping for over a year and didn't smoke many cigs, a couple packs in that time. None for 6 months or more but I only feel like I have it beat mentally in the last 3. Watch out before bed even though it is calming it WILL keep you awake!. One day at a time and it will come together. Good luck man.

 

[Lumiis]

I've never been to SK, but your English is spot on, wish I knew a second (or third language =)

Regardless, I haven't read through all the responses here, but what helped me (you'll get alot of 'What helped me' here)
- Find a vaper's group near you, if there isn't one, start one (I did), find people that share your interest in vaping.

Also, if you feel the need to smoke, carry a carto w/ some tobacco juice in it, good stuff there.

 

[Hotwire]

I'm from England, so glad to know my English is good! ;p

No vapers groups near me.

I have tried a few tobacco juices and they were all crud.

Have some 18mg desert ship coming from fsusa which I have heard good things about.

 

[Hotwire]

Now I have a medication that I can take around 8 and I'm asleep by 11 (unless it's a weekend night and I'm gaming LOL, thanks presidents for giving me an extra day). It's hit and miss with meds and takes some dedication and patience waiting on a doctor to find what is going to work for you.

Out of curiosity, which med are you taking now? Have tried ambien, hyclon, xanax, buspar and as mentioned even a combo of all the above. Tried melatonin, herbal mixes etc...

The mega cocktail would work about 50% of the time but the emotional rollercoaster that went with it just wasn't worth it. A few beers and some cigs has less of that and after a morning coffee, a hot then cold shower, by the time I've made my walk to work, I feel fine, 'regular.' Have put on about 8 kilos in the 1.5 yrs I've been using that though, but also had bad knees so haven't exercised much in that time. Bit of power yoga 3 times a week that should drop off easilly enough.

 

[Aaeli]

Actually, I went through Ambien, Lunesta (OMG they aren't kidding about the "slight aftertaste in the morning" slight my $#!). My doctor started me on amitriptolyne earlier this year for migraine headache maintenance. It worked great for sleep and seemed to help lessen the amount of migraines. That could be because I am sleeping better or it could be the med, either way it works great. Another that seems to work for some people resistant to Ambien type meds is seroquel but with the list of side effects (including weight gain), I think I'd rather be awake. Also, my doctor diagnosed an underactive thyroid about 3 months ago. She said that would explain the wonky sleeping habits and the headaches. It's such a simple fix, one tiny pill once a day.

It could be something that simple, I would talk to your doctor again. I understand the hesitation though, it gets annoying waiting for something that is going to work.

 

[markfm]

A strong tobacco flavor (if you smoke regulars), with an up in nicotine, something with a pretty strong taste as well as throat hit, can be important. For instance I have a tob4 DIY mix that I tend to give newer people, which uses extra Tobacco Absolute so you really get throat hit and "cigarette" taste. That mix, at high mg/ml, might be the kind of thing you need for general out at a bar, while a version with the same flavor mix but a bit less mg/ml, might be appropriate for a late at night "want a smoke".