Got screwdriver and now weirded out

[Kendra]

Alright, ever since I discovered e-smoking which was all of about three weeks ago, I've been vaping constantly. Really, I was a three-pack a day smoker because I work from home and COULD smoke. So, I did. Anyways, having the e cigs are just amazing and I haven't even smoked ONE analog since the first day I had these.

But, I'm really now noticing how totally completely addicted I am to nicotine. You know, before, I'd smoke a cig, and that's disgusting and all, but it's a cigarette and I've been smoking for years and I was used to it.

And, I've bought tons and tons of stuff (in case there's a ban) so I have about 4 types of cig/pen styles and a pipe and I just got Trog's amazing SD today and, wow, that works amazingly well.

But, now I'm dragging on these IMPLEMENTS, you know? I'm walking around the house with this huge thing I'm just dragging off and it ocurred to me that this whole thing is kinda weird. The whole thing-- the button pressing, the big drag, the "wow, what vapor!" or "Omg, what a good hit". Just very bizarre.

Anywyas, i'm really enjoying it and I'm just venting here a bit. If I don't like it I know I can quit. . . I'm just kind of weirded out by my nicotine addiction which I accepted easily until this very moment.

I still have no plans on quitting as I have enough equipment for about three years right now (as I take a major drag on my sd).

 

[surbitonPete]

I was only thinking the other day how all of the parephenalia of vaping makes our addictions seem quite bizarre.......I am 'smoking' a converted Black and Decker screwdriver! .......how weird is that?

 

[Kendra]

I was only thinking the other day how all of the parephenalia of vaping makes our addictions seem quite bizarre.......I am 'smoking' a converted Black and Decker screwdriver! .......how weird is that?

YES!!!! That's exactly what I mean! A plastic pen or cigarette I can understand but a flashlight? A screwdriver? Very strange.

 

[Stike]

I agree I'm just as hooked on the devices .When is it going to end?

 

[Catanonia]

Strange people.... You should be all locked up.

I am starting to wonder if I am actually adding to my addiction by knowing that it is safer, much safer.

I spose thats what all the "ban ecigs" are on about. Well in the UK, this seems to be their major line of attack.

It makes people more addicted to nico.


I spose they are right, well in my case they are right, but I tell you one thing.

MUCH MUCH BETTER than me puffing through 30+ cancer sticks a day polluting all around me, dropping ash, cig butts, smelling out places etc and being a burden on the health service.

But spose they won't look at it that way will they.

 

[scrubadub]

I know what you mean but then again wrapping a load of leaves in paper, setting fire to them and sucking down the smoke is an odd thing to do as well. We're just more used to that I suppose.

 

[breakfastchef]

Three weeks is not very long ago. I understand from longer term vapers, that the constant vaping will diminish with time. I still vape quite a bit and have been analog free for 40 days. For me, the nicotine may have something to do with frequent vaping, but there is the oral gratification of being able to tote around my 'pacifier' wherever I go. I would trust my body to tell me that I am overdoing it.

Congratulations on receiving the Screwdriver. It seems to be a nice device. I built a Magnum modded flashlight and it provides killer hits and vapor. Wish I had done this before buying up all the other devices.

 

[surbitonPete]

The worst thing is that my converted screwdriver ...looks like a penguin or else Kenny!.....lmao

 

[Savantster]

"It makes people more addicted to nico."

I don't think there's anything to support that statement. In fact, from the New Zealand study Kate put up, part of the reinforced addiction of nicotine just might be from the MAOI properties in burnt tobacco.

I understand how there can be a disconnect between "smoking" and "doing safe drugs"... but, that is just what it is... a societal disconnect.

See, when you "smoke", you are doing something accepted, but frowned upon. You "got addicted" and now "poor you" for being a slave. Now that the "bad part" is gone, we seem to magically think "only bad people do drugs".. Why is that?

I quit smoking 6 years ago, or so. I quit _because_ of the negative effects, but I sure loved to smoke! As do _most_ smokers. So, if it is considered "ok" to smoke in the first place, if no one seems to care if we take that drug while there's a negative effect with it, why the hell should someone mind if we take that drug _without_ negative effects?!

I'm considering going back to "taking nicotine" ONLY because it can be done safely. I enjoy the bump (dopamine), I enjoy the faster metabolism (I gained about 15 pounds when I quit, and it's not going away), everything I've read about nicotine implies it's actually GOOD for you (check the wikki).. but it's "addictive".

It is also non-destructive, and only has marginal negative effects for some of the population (higher blood pressure, faster heart rate. but nothing different than CAFFEINE, and that is 100% acceptable in our society).

So we have this disconnect between "doing drugs that make you feel good" versus being "addicted to something bad for you". One is a victim role, the other someone choosing to "do drugs".

You're still addicted to nicotine, it's an addictive substance (how much on it's own is still up for debate), but you're not killing yourself to enjoy that "mini-high", or from being more relaxed, or from having better concentration, or from having better regulated glucose levels.

If you _really_ want to "quit nicotine", see your doctor and ask for Welbutrin (sp). that's what I used to quit, and it worked wonders.

But I've never been one to worry about what "people think", and if I can legally "feel better" and have a more enjoyable life experience (especially if there are no negative effects), why shouldn't I? If I can get little pick-me-ups that make me happy, why not?

Basically, if you feel "strange" by "smoking" but not suffering ill effects, that's because we spend a LOT of money telling people "drugs are bad". Because drugs really are NOT bad, that causes us discomfort while we sort through it.

life is short, it has a lot of rough spots, and we only get one chance at it. Why not feel good where you can? I can see not doing things that feel good if they hurt you (which is why I quit smoking), but if there are essentially NO bad effects? Seems kind of silly _not_ to do things that feel good.

 

[Houdini]

I know what you mean Kendra. I used to smoke cigs either outside or in the garage only and only about 2 times an hour I'd go have a cig. Now I have one of these e-cigs in my hand where ever I go all day. I don't really need that much nicotine but it's just so easy to do and since I don't need to be outside anymore I guess I feel like I should be using it all the time. The best way to get out of that habbit for me is to put the e-cig out in the garage where I used to smoke and only go out there when I feel a need to. Having it sit right in front of me all day makes it too easy to just pick up and start using it. Especially when I have one sitting right next to all of my chairs in every room.

 

[yvilla]

I must be really weird, because I love my Screwdriver, and it doesn't bother me at all to be using it.

But, on the other hand, I would be totally uncomfortable using one of those, IMO, stupid looking white super-minis that pretend to be a cigarette! 8-o

 

[Kendra]

Especially when I have one sitting right next to all of my chairs in every room.

Hmmm. . . lucky for me my SD has a wrist band!

I don't think I'm actually vaping more because I did smoke an awful lot. I think I am getting slightly LESS nicotine actually.

But, it's just the size of the things. . . that I went to the mirror to see how much vapor it produces and here I am inhaling a big huge silver machine. It was just weird. Not that cigarettes are attractive, mind you-- it's not that. It's just it looks so different.

I'll get used to it, I'm sure.

 

[Walrus]

I've found that I since I do vape a LOT more than I smoked, I was getting way more nicotine... so I've begun making my own 0 nic liquids and will alternate them with my usual blends. Sometimes I'll vape the 0 nic stuff two or three times before using one that contains nicotine.

It's working for me.

 

[Walrus]

Hmmm. . . lucky for me my SD has a wrist band!

I don't think I'm actually vaping more because I did smoke an awful lot. I think I am getting slightly LESS nicotine actually.

But, it's just the size of the things. . . that I went to the mirror to see how much vapor it produces and here I am inhaling a big huge silver machine. It was just weird. Not that cigarettes are attractive, mind you-- it's not that. It's just it looks so different.

I'll get used to it, I'm sure.

I'm not one to care much what people think about how I look (obviously) but sometimes when I'm out and about, I'll put a black 801 atomizer on my screwdriver... If I palm it, it kinda looks like I'm smoking a pipe.

 

[TropicalBob]

That was a really intelligent post, Savantster. Can't let it pass without positive comment. Your argument is well thought-out and this conclusion is right on:

So we have this disconnect between "doing drugs that make you feel good" versus being "addicted to something bad for you". One is a victim role, the other someone choosing to "do drugs".

Cigarette smokers are to be pitied. Poor things, they can't kick their habit/addiction. We villify the delivery system while offering help to the victim. But e-smokers are supposedly intelligent adults who have chosen to be drug users. Recreational drug use is frowned on. Exactly what kind of reaction should we expect from non-smokers as we suck on adult pacifiers that puff a vaporized addictive drug?

Enjoy e-smoking in private, but be aware that public displays might not be met with enthusiastic approval, even when everyone knows what these are and what they do.

 

[chief druid]

well with all this deep,diverse and highly intellectual conversation going on i feel i must but in and say .... cabbage!!!!

well i've been vaping in the region of 2 months now (wish i'd taken note of the exact day) the novelty factor was fantastic ... i had an e cig in my mouth all the time ... but sometimes it fell out of my mouth while i was asleep .. but i'm now using it far less and i can actually drive for about 10 minuets with out picking it up yay

 

[cosican]

I'm not one to care much what people think about how I look (obviously) but sometimes when I'm out and about, I'll put a black 801 atomizer on my screwdriver... If I palm it, it kinda looks like I'm smoking a pipe.

Hey all, First let me share
HOW MUCH I LOVE THIS WHOLE THING,THE FORUM, THE JUICE, THE TOYS, THE KINSHIP AMONGST US

As a 3 pk a day ex smoker, for 6 months I am so proud of me to get that part of my life behind me, Besides I was one of the unlucky guys that has COPD from cigarettes, Oh well !! S--t happens

All in all, I am more junked out on the process, the toys and all that surrounds our ecig world.. There is not a day, correction an hour, that does not go by, that I am not entrenched in my stuff
Looking at all I have accumalated, waiting for my new purchase to arrive, either mail or UPS. Reviewing the posts, to make sure, a new item has not come out, since I checked 8 minutes earlier.

Oh no, someone introduced a new topic, I DON'T OWN THAT, !!!

so, ofcourse, gotta get it, so back on a new site, search, Paypal, bought

AHHH, THAT FELT GOOD

THIS IS MORE ADDICTIVE THAN ANYTHING I HAVE EVER EXPERIENCED IN MY LIFE, I AM 55, BEEN IN AND OUT OF REHAB, FOR ALL SORTS OF STUFF

I would kill anyone that would interfere w/ my toys,

then all the cables that get caught up on everything as I walk around
The cables come out of my bag, ( I carry my mobile w/ usb ports and a 901 and 801 connected and then one out of my laptop,
I just bought a 4 port connector, so I can have 4 usb pass thrus going on at one time

so I think I understand, when you say, it is a little silly.
But, I am w/ Walrus, I could care less what others think,

I aint smoking anaolgs and I JUST LOVE THIS STUFF

 

[strayling]

It makes people more addicted to nico.

That's not been my experience at all. After the first flush of upping the nicotine strength to see if it really worked I now find myself dialing it way down so that I can enjoy the flavours. Sure the nicotine addiction is still there, but its noticeably diminished for me.

 

[Kitabz]

But, now I'm dragging on these IMPLEMENTS, you know? I'm walking around the house with this huge thing I'm just dragging off and it ocurred to me that this whole thing is kinda weird. The whole thing-- the button pressing, the big drag, the "wow, what vapor!" or "Omg, what a good hit". Just very bizarre.

You have expressed this so well and this too is something I've come to terms with (and TBH, it was the screwdriver that really brought it home) - this is an addiction. Not a habit like I always used to think of it but a full on out-of-control addition.

Yes, we've all said "I'm addicted to smoking" but somehow it didn't feel like one in the needle-in-the-arm or bottle-in-the-paper-bag sense but it's just the same.

I'd hoped that this realisation might help me wean of these [marvellous] devices but, in reality, it's more likely that I'll just accept the truth.

Just today I tried to see how long I could go before vaping in the morning. I lasted 90 minutes from waking; I don't see myself giving up anytime soon...

 

[keg]

Hi, my name is Keg and I'm a vaper.
Will there be VA meetings in the future down at the local Y? This is a very interesting thing, these here personal vaporizers. All of us have addictive personalities whether we want to admit it or not. We have struggled with analog addiction and all that it brings with it, ridicule from strangers, banning from our favorite places, guilt trips by loved ones and most importantly that nagging feeling that we have written our own fate.
Then here these amazing devices come along and its like a burden has been lifted and a down right miracle has occurred. Its only natural that we want ALL the latest gadgets, juices etc.
However, we also can't get rid of the nagging feeling completely , we have gotten so used to this burden that when its gone we find things to take its place like the big bad FDA or health concerns. Not to say these things have no validity but if you read this forum you can see that some people blow it WAY out of proportion.
We are guinea pigs for sure but guess what? I dig it.
Now on to more important things like should I get a e-cigar or turn my gas stove into the mother of all vaping machines?
Much Love,
Keg